BMW Updates 2-Series MPVs For 2018 - Is There A Market In The US For A BMW Minivan?

BMW has facelifted the 2 Series Active Tourer and 2 Series Gran Tourer MPVs for 2018, with updates to their powertrains and subtle styling tweaks.

Under the bonnet, the Active Tourer and Gran Tourer get received new efficiency-boosting powertrain tech. And all engines benefit from a friction-reducing machining technique, and diesel models get a selective catalytic reduction system that uses AdBlue to reduce NOx emissions.

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mre30 - 1/10/2018 10:54:51 AM

+2 Boost

My gut instinct says 'yes' but I think the market will say 'no'.

Its a question about what vehicle in the BMW lineup gets cannibalized if its introduced.

The 2-series is sort of dumpy/frumpy looking but older BMW customers would probably love it. I drove one in Europe and it was surprisingly bright and airy and just a 'happy' car. Might not be the demographic BMW is seeking tho

quizz - 1/11/2018 5:50:04 PM

+2 Boost

This. Lots of aspirational buyers looking for their first "premium" badge. The problem is that this will work in the first 5 years, but in a decade the higher end BMW model is no longer special just like VW's $80,000 Phaeton was not considered special. For branding purposes, this is a quick profit but for long term brand identity? Well, I remember when Ferrari lost its panache after licensing itself so you could buy Ferrari socks at KMart.

scenicbyway12 - 1/10/2018 12:36:17 PM

-2 Boost

Dear God no!

carsnyc - 1/10/2018 1:39:36 PM

-2 Boost

This would further dilute the brand in the U.S.

MrEE - 1/10/2018 5:55:40 PM

+3 Boost

A double+ priced Honda Fit. This style will not sell that well in this market.

MDarringer - 1/10/2018 7:41:50 PM

0 Boost

These would sell LIKE MAD in the $25-35K range.

t_bone - 1/10/2018 8:31:59 PM

+2 Boost

The Mazda5 was a nice occasional 6-seater (or 4 with tons of room), with good driving dynamics. And all this despite very little investment in the product and crummy sales compared with CUV's. People REALLY want high seating position, big wheels, and big wheel wells, despite these attributes translating into poor turning circle, compromised suspension/handling, restricted passenger and cargo space, and less driving fun.

YoCarFanto - 1/11/2018 9:58:06 AM

-1 Boost

Of course it will sell. Great for families with 1-2 children. It'll be the envy of Moms driving the huge Honda Oddisey's which are so hard to park and have a horrible ride.

ilovecar2015 - 1/11/2018 11:11:13 AM

+2 Boost

Nope! Remember Mercedes R-Class? Yeah, that went well.

quizz - 1/11/2018 5:52:37 PM

+4 Boost

The R class was inferior to the Sienna, that's why it failed. Mercedes has an amazing minivan it sells in Europe, the V-Class: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/vehicles/passenger-cars/v-class/

That is what high end minivan is like.

t_bone - 1/11/2018 8:15:10 PM

0 Boost

I do like that AMG, although it still isn't a looker. I'd like to see what Audi would do with a van, if they could avoid the temptation to add too much weight.