The BMW 2-series Gran Tourer (shown) is larger than the Opel Zafira Tourer but smaller than the VW Touran. Franklin — The seven-seat 2-series Gran Tourer, which will go on sale in Europe in June, will increase BMW’s selection of minivans.
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The Arguments Against BMW Producing Vans
- BMW focuses heavily on the driving experience.
- They emphasize motorcycles and performance vehicles, which are promoted differently from vans.
- Prior attempts at changing their branding were unsuccessful.
This inquiry may seem unusual at first. Almost all significant auto manufacturers produce a variety of vehicles.
Ford manufactures a wide range of products, such as heavy-duty commercial trucks and small cars for the general public. Volvo has a sizable heavy truck business in the US and Europe despite being largely recognized for its sedans and SUVs.
However, given that Honda and Toyota don’t produce vans in the US, why should BMW? Are all products produced equally?
The Never-Being BMW Van
The item I regret not having existed the most out of all the things I can currently think of — armored parsnips, a horse that speaks fluent Dutch, soap with a pretzel center, and so on — is probably a BMW van.
Because there have been reports of a BMW people-mover, I have been considering this. The less I consider it, the stranger it seems that BMW has never made a van of any kind. In fact, they might be the only major automaker that have never made a van, in my opinion. Sure, there are niche, smaller manufacturers like Morgan or Lamborghini who have never marketed vans under their brand, but I believe that among the larger corporations, BMW is unique in not producing motorized boxes. At least starting in the post-war era, all of their German brothers, including Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, DKW/Auto-Union, and Audi, produced some type of van.
Small delivery/passenger vans were in high demand in Germany and throughout Europe in the decades following World War II, particularly during the years of rapid economic expansion in the 1950s and 1960s. That would have been the perfect opportunity for BMW to release a rival van on the market. Why then did they not?
BMW was no stranger to a variety of market segments. In the 1950s and 1960s, BMW produced a wide range of vehicles, including exotic, high-end vehicles like the 507, middle-class Neue Klasse vehicles, and cheap, adventurous Isettas and 600s. It is incomprehensible why BMW wouldn’t have tried to create a small van when you take into account their background as a maker of motorcycles in addition to their extensive range of expertise.
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We all know they didn’t, though. However, I had already considered what it would have been like and had sketched a small image of what I believed it to look like in this bizarre, lovely, and other realm of BMW van production.
I believe the BMW van would be based on one of their automobiles, like the majority of its rivals. If they had done this in the early 1960s, when everyone else was creating ones like it, I believe the 1602/2002 makes the most sense.
The fundamental wheelbase and chassis, in my opinion, would be identical to those of a 2002, with the front axle moved forward and the steering column shifted to accommodate the configuration that is practically cab-over. A lot of compact American vans, including the Ford Econoline and Dodge A100, had inline fours that protruded into the interior slightly. This inline four would be straight from the 2002. As much trim and additional hardware from a 2002, such as the grille, lights, door handles, etc., would be appropriate.
Even the characteristic boxy shape of the Neue Klasse with its chrome beltline, along with the Hofmeister kink in the side window, I think would have looked amazing on a van design.
I suppose there would have been a pickup version and a camper version, just like the other vans of the time. I really want one of these now, man. Making one of these out of 2002 parts and a smallish van from the time, such a VW, DKW 1000, or even an old Econoline, would be a pretty fun project if someone had the time and resources. Please send me photographs if you do, though.
Gallery: New spy images of the 2021 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
There isn’t much information available right now, but the new PHEV people carrier will undoubtedly be more powerful than the one it replaces. Recall that the 225xe’s 1.5-lite three-cylinder engine and little electric motor combine to produce 224 horsepower in total (167 kW). A new eight-speed automatic transmission is anticipated to take the place of the existing model’s six-speed unit.
The 2 Series Active Tourer will be available with a choice of four powertrains at launch, according to BMW Blog. These include the gasoline 218i (155 horsepower/115 kW), 220i (178 horsepower/133 horsepower), and 223i (200 horsepower/149 horsepower), the latter two of which have mild hybrid technology. There will be the 218d with 148 horsepower on the diesel side (110 kW).
The new 2AT will appear considerably more streamlined than the old one did. The new Active Tourer, which practically replaces the Grand Tourer despite its larger proportions, will have smaller headlamps, pop-out door handles, and wider side mirrors affixed to the front doors, giving the minivan a more angular aspect.
BMW unveiled the MINI electric van concept to explore what future driverless vehicles might look like.
Under its MINI brand, BMW has shown a brand-new concept car that looks at how future autonomous and electric vehicles might be designed.
With its new MINI Vision Urbanaut design, which seeks to offer “greater interior space and versatility than ever before, but nevertheless on a small footprint,” the automaker has unveiled a brand-new concept.
However, it can offer us a sense of what vehicles might look like when they are developed from the bottom up with autonomous driving and electric propulsion in mind. It appears to be more of a design exercise than a concept that could potentially lead to an electric vehicle manufacturing program for BMW.
BMW described the idea in writing:
The MINI Vision Urbanaut has given the designers more leeway to create the exterior and interior because it was designed from the start to be an electrically driven vehicle with autonomous driving features.
Here is a photo collection of the MINI Vision Urbanaut electric van concept:
Do BMW micro vans exist?
The 2018 BMW minivan is receiving a fresh appearance in addition to all the incredible performance upgrades and options. The 2AT will continue to expand in size while sporting sleeker, sportier aesthetics than the previous model. The bizarre minivan sedan hybrid known as the BMW Grand Tourer will be replaced by the Active Tourer. Pop-out door handles, headlamps with a low profile, and revised side mirrors are some more slimming elements.
The overlook provides additional room and performance while being aggressive and stylish. It genuinely sounds like the greatest minivan improvement ever. Just let’s hope a BMW minivan arrives in the United States as soon as possible.
What is the price of a BMW van?
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Why do BMW not create vans?
Luxury rivals of BMW generally cater to older, wealthy clientele with sophisticated, quiet, and comfortable vehicles. The driving experience is rarely highlighted, and the majority of these clients do not have a passion for automobiles.
BMW, on the other hand, has very focused branding and has referred to its vehicles as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” since the 1970s. One of the most successful marketing slogans ever, many people still refer to BMW by this catchphrase today.
In order to maintain its branding, the business experimented with the tagline “Joy Is BMW” in 2006. This was an effort to stay current with market trends. Consumers started putting a lot more emphasis on safety and fuel efficiency.
Although this may have been the case for the majority of the market, the most ardent BMW enthusiasts were still seeking a vehicle with a specific driving experience.
On the BMW US website, their most recent electric cars are currently marketed as the “Ultimate Electric Driving Machine.” After realizing this was a mistake, BMW later returned to their original message with a new motto, “Designed for Driving Pleasure.”
Many businesses have had to learn this lesson the hard way, as was the case with Coca-infamous Cola’s recipe modification in 1985. Since it was obvious that people enjoyed the previous flavor, this decision was swiftly reversed.
This takes us full circle to BMW and its forays into new market sectors. Why would BMW create a van if their brand is centered on performance and the driving experience? Nobody purchases a van because it is enjoyable to drive or can reach 60 mph in less than five seconds.
Vans are purchased for their practicality, whether for business or leisure. To pursue the van market as the brand currently exists would be a really disastrous financial move because this is so off brand for BMW.
Has Audi ever owned a van?
- The Audi Urbansphere is a concept car that, in our opinion, closely resembles a minivan.
- It sports a 120.0-kWh battery pack and a 396-hp electric drivetrain.
- We doubt that a production version of this would ever be marketed in the United States, but it might someday be offered in China.
Following the Skysphere convertible and Grandsphere sedan, the third “Sphere” concept from Audi is entirely different. This most recent vehicle, known as the Urbansphere, is unmistakably a minivan.
While the headlights and closed-off grille of the Urbansphere look to have been lifted from the Q4 e-tron electric crossover, the concept’s proportions scream family hauler. It has an upright tailgate, a swept-back windshield, a short hood, and a lot of glass. The Urbansphere is much larger than any other vehicle Audi has ever produced, measuring a whopping 217.0 inches long and 79.1 inches wide. Audi also claims it has a colossal 70.0 inches of headroom. There are only four seats in the whimsical concept-car interior, but each one is an elegant-looking lounge chair with many swivel and reclining positions.
The Urbansphere, an electric vehicle by default, is built on the PPE platform developed by the VW Group, which will also support upcoming Audi EVs like the A6 e-tron. According to Audi, its battery pack has a capacity of around 120.0 kWh, and its electric motors can provide 396 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque. Huge 24 inch wheels, air spring suspension, and rear-wheel steering all contribute to the vehicle’s mobility.
Audi is clear that the Chinese market is the focus of this concept car because people-hauling vehicles of this type are common in China. Buick offers numerous opulent variations of its GL8 minivan for Chinese consumers, while Lexus has also introduced a van for the country. Although it seems unlikely that Audi would ever release a production version of the Urbansphere, we wouldn’t be surprised if they did. Even though an Audi minivan wasn’t on our list of bingo prizes for 2022, the Urbansphere is a cool concept car that steers the brand in a different path.
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