The New BMW 216i Gran Tourer Now Available In Singapore

Despite its compact dimensions of 4,556 x 1,800 x 1,612 mm (L x W x H), with a maximum height of 1,641mm including the roof rails, the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer offers a long wheelbase (2,780mm) and high roofline that point to the generous interior space. Precise lines lend the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer a stretched look and endow it with a particularly dynamic flavour.

As a result, from whichever angle you look at it, the vehicle exudes a sporty, elegant and functional appearance. Despite the spacious interior, the front aspect is sporty and flat. The interplay of a low windscreen and high engine compartment cover significantly reduces the perceived height of the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer, while the clearly defined and muscularly sculpted bonnet leaves no doubt as to the engine power lurking beneath it.

A standard third row of seats offering generous space for two additional passengers highlights the supreme flexibility of the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer. A non-slip step in the rear door opening allows for comfortable access in conjunction with the folding and sliding second row of seats (Easy Entry). Even in this configuration the boot still has room for small luggage items. If the extra passenger seats are not required, the third row can be completely lowered into the load area floor to save space. The loading surface remains almost level and the storage space – barring the multifunction tray – is fully maintained.

Another particularly useful feature is the sturdy, folding boot floor that conceals a further compartment with a handy multifunction tray offering 100 litres of storage space. This can be used to neatly stow away bulky items when not required. There is also room under the floor for the boot roller cover.

Lashing points in the rear compartment and a multifunction bag hook on both the left and the right are further practical details that underline the practical nature of the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer. Another useful highlight are the “monorails” on the backrests of the front seats, to which a highquality folding table can be attached and adjusted for both height and tilt angle.

The high degree of everyday practicality and flexible use of the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer is also reflected in its numerous storage compartments and spaces. A large compartment in front of the centre console, for example, is an ideal space to keep smartphones, glasses or keys. The area under the front centre armrest can also be fully utilised as a storage compartment. Two large, offset cupholders behind the gearshift lever securely hold any kind of drinking vessel without impeding gear changes. All the door panels, moreover, can accommodate bottles of up to 1.5 litres.

Further travel accoutrements such as children’s toys can be stowed away in the hinged compartments under the front seats or in the storage compartments under the second-row seats. There are even spaces beside the third row of seats for tall, slim objects such as bottles or bicycle pumps. A special centre console with two cupholders and a storage compartment along with a 12-volt socket to charge electronic gadgets also play their part in enhancing comfort and convenience on the move for passengers in the third row.

The new engine family is based on an all-aluminium core unit designed for ultra-low friction. The closed-deck crankcase is particularly rigid, while thermally joined cylinder liners with twin-wire, arcsprayed coating reduce weight as well as friction. A balancer shaft or two counter-rotating balancer shafts in the three-cylinder engine ensure smooth running across the entire rev range.

Among the stand-out attributes of the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer are its superior dynamics and the kind of driving experience typically associated with BMW. Playing a key part in this is the sophisticated suspension technology, which perfectly complements the vehicle’s state-of-the-art front-wheel-drive concept. Indeed, the engineers have succeeded in uniting its agile handling characteristics with a high degree of ride comfort. The dynamic handling qualities of the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer are in the first instance down to its coherent overall concept.

Here, BMW focused on a perfectly configured chassis with a wide track, a reduced-friction steering system, a torsionally stiff and lightweight body, a low centre of gravity and honed aerodynamics. This chassis combines hallmark brand agility and directional control with suspension comfort. The driven front axle provides sensitive steering feedback while minimising unwanted torque-steer influences.

Intelligent lightweight design plays a critical role in achieving efficiency and agility while also boosting the dynamic driving qualities of the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer. High-tensile and ultrahigh-tensile multi-phase steels and components that are precisely tailored to their purpose lend the body a high degree of stiffness coupled with extremely low weight.

Along with the use of state-of-the-art composite materials, the application of aluminium also ensures that the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer brings no excess weight to the scales. The bumper supports, steering shaft, brake guards and wheel swivel bearings are all made of aluminium to whittle down weight, improve the trademark BMW driving dynamics and secure outstanding fuel economy.

With a drag coefficient of cd = 0.28, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer creates a new benchmark for its class. Beyond its streamlined proportions, it is above all the front and rear end and the largely smooth-surfaced underbody panelling that have been aerodynamically optimised. The familiar BMW Air Curtain at the front apron creates a curtain of air in front of the wheel arches to reduce turbulence at the front wheels.

The integration of the roof spoiler with the D-pillar trailing edges (aeroblades) optimises rear-end air flow, while the trailing edges of the rear lights serve to reduce drag further. Finally, on-demand control of the air flaps behind the BMW kidney grille and in the lower cooling air intake also play their part in securing the exemplary cd value and low fuel consumption of the new BMW 216i Gran Tourer. A further benefit of reducing drag is to diminish noise inside the car.

BMW ConnectedDrive is the epitome of intelligent networking of driver, vehicle and the environment that raises the level of convenience and infotainment for the driver and passengers. It also enhances the safety level for both people inside a BMW vehicle and for those in the vicinity.

The new BMW 216i Gran Tourer is now available for viewing at Performance Motors’ showroom.

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