Under the bonnet, the range starts, at least initially in the case of the 218i Active Tourer, with a new three-cylinder petrol engine producing 136PS, as well as 220Nm of torque between 1250 and 4300rpm. CO2 emissions are a comparatively tax-friendly115g/km.
BMW says it has addressed the vibration that can afflict a three-cylinder engine with a host of technical refinements, including a balancer shaft, a dual-mass flywheel and a centrifugal pendulum absorber.
The other model in the initial two-car line-up, due in the UK in September, will be a 218d model with a four-cylinder diesel engine. That delivers 150PS and a peak torque of 330Nm. CO2 emissions will be as low as 109g/km.
The 218i and 218d will quickly be joined by a high-powered 225i with xDrive all-wheel drive transmission, and 220i, 216d, 220d and 220d xDrive models.
Prices for the BMW 2 Series will start at less than £23,000.
