Craving buco pie in a BMW Series 2 Active Tourer

The test drive for the BMW Tourer began with a video presentation of the cool features of the first-ever BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.  Although I was excited about getting into the driver’s seat of the BMW Active Tourer, I had to keep my excitement at bay as I watched the video presentation.  Let me just say that this is was no easy task for a driver like me who finds true fulfillment only when seated in the pilot’s seat. To keep myself occupied, I took notes of the video presentation so as not to miss any of impressive features the Active Tourer might have. After all, during the presentation, I imagined myself driving the Tourer through the outskirts of Metro Manila.

For starters, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer embodies the dynamic nature of BMW to prove that the brand is not afraid to go out of its comfort zone in order to raise the bar for the premium automotive segment. It is BMW’s first Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), decked out with new innovations that make it the perfect choice for every family raring to take the next stage in life.  These were the first words of the video presentation that caught my fancy.

Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, brings the premium badge to the compact automotive segment in the Philippines by launching the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. The Bavarian automotive giant’s first Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) combines the brand’s signature premium touch with practicality that best suits the needs of the modern family with an active lifestyle. 

“The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer represents a number of milestones for BMW in the country and across the globe,” said ACC president Maricar Parco in a press statement.  “With the launch of this new vehicle, we are not only engaging an exciting new market, but also introducing several innovations that have never been seen in the BMW portfolio before.”

This BMW breaks away from its comfort zone by introducing design elements to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer that reflect German ingenuity more than ever. While the vehicle embodies the form and function of an MPV, it embraces classic BMW design cues and uniquely wears the identity of the BMW 2 Series model range to match the family who wants to take life further.

A view from the front immediately puts the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer beyond any ordinary MPV as it highlights an athletic appearance that is unmistakably BMW. The contours on its high bonnet lead to the iconic double kidney grille flanked by twin LED headlights that optimally illuminate the road and improve safety. The look is further carried through the profile with powerful sickle lines and BMW’s signature Hofmeister kink that give the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer a dynamic impression even at standstill.

At this point, it was quite difficult for me to sit still as I had seen the video clips of the BMW Active Tourer — but, I had not yet been given the go signal to take a firsthand view of the Tourer.  We were seated in the Asian Car Makers office on the 18th floor of the Pacific Star Building in Makati — the test drive was parked in the basement, I was told.  But sit and wait like a good test driver I remained.

Let’s Drive  

What felt like the longest 30 minutes of my early morning life — ended. The time had come to make my way to the Tourer.

I was given a few more tips about some of the key features of the BMW Series 2 Tourer before I was finally able to get into the driver’s seat and start the engine.

I had planned my day — it was going to be a drive to the south of Manila. Although it was almost noon by the time I started, my spirits were high.

I got to SLEX in about 20 minutes.  I had set my sights on a drive to Los Baños — the goal was to get my fix of Letty’s Buco Pie.

Behind the wheel, the instrument panel and center console were easy to figure out. All this because the instrument panel is straightforward — none of the complicated controls that sometimes come with the newer vehicles. This simplicity gave me the feeling of control at once. The intuitive cockpit becomes even more reliable with the BMW iDrive system, which extends the power of multimedia and connectivity to the passengers.

As I drove down SLEX, my eyes wandered through the vehicle and I noticed the raised roofline and the spacious interiors.  The elevated driver and front passenger seat create more room in the rear for increased comfort. Adding to the practicality are the split-folding rear compartments that enable active families who frequent the outdoors to load plenty of items into the vehicle while still having the freedom of driving a compact vehicle.

As the engine roared down the SLEX, I recalled that during the presentation, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer includes a specially designed front-wheel drive system, a first for BMW. The drive train layout improves space without compromising power delivery especially the much revered BMW driving dynamics. The luxury MPV also runs with a lightweight three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW’s award-winning TwinPower Turbo technology, which promotes a fuel-efficient yet equally exciting drive while exploring the great outdoors.

 I arrived at Letty’s Buco Pie stand after about a two-hour drive, all that because there was traffic buildup in the Calamba area.  Nonetheless, the smile on my lips and the anticipation of eating my fave buco pie was not diminished.

I got two boxes — one to eat and the other to take home.

 I found a cool spot under a tree in one of the open fields in Los Baños.

As I sat and savored the yummy treat — I got down and gave this BMW Series 2 Tourer a closer look from the outside.

 At first glance, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer commands a distinct BMW presence with the signature double kidney grille flanked by twin LED headlights with corona rings. Short overhangs at the front and rear add to the sporty character of the vehicle.

An elongated silhouette and discreet wedge shape create the sleek profile of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, while dynamic BMW lines add more depth to its overall appearance. A long wheelbase at 2,670 millimeters, large doors, and raised roofline allow for maximum spaciousness inside the vehicle.

From the rear, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer continues to command a strong presence. Typical L-shaped BMW rear lights extend until the side walls to draw attention to the vehicle’s road-hugging stance. Vertical air-deflecting aeroblades and a rear spoiler complete the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer’s dynamic look.

Back inside the cockpit, I gave the interiors one more look.  Inside the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, comfort and luxury are the main priorities. Despite its compact exterior, the interior of the vehicle provides ample space to sit five people comfortably. This extra space is made possible by the introduction of front-wheel drive technology into the vehicle.

The horizontally structured, layered styling of the instrument and door panels give the cabin an elegant ambiance and emphasizes the sense of spaciousness. In typical BMW fashion, the cockpit of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is designed to be driver-centric, with small details such as driver-angled design and meticulously designed buttons and switches contributing to a very ergonomic and intuitive cockpit. This is further supported by the ever-reliable BMW iDrive.

It was getting late and if I wanted to avoid the rush hour traffic I knew that it was time to make the drive home. I made it home in another two hours, which that made a total of almost five hours on the road. But behind the wheel of BMW Series 2 Active Tourer — I felt I could do much more driving — and how.