BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer seven seater announced

BMW has announced a new upmarket seven-seater, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer.

The latest launch from the German manufacturer offers generous interior space, versatile seating and load-carrying arrangements and a range of engine options. A four-wheel-drive version will also be available, along with various cutting-edge driver assistance gadgets.

Known for comfort, luxurious interiors and leading technology, BMW will be trying to attract UK families who want a smarter brand than those currently offering seven-seater MPVs.

A seven-seat BMW

The seven-seat format of the BMW Series 2 Gran Tourer should make it a practical premium family car. The boot offers up to 805 litres, and with the seats folded down that expands to a whopping 1,905 litres of luggage space – not far off much larger cars like the Audi Q7.

BMW has called the new 2 Series Gran Tourer "the world’s first premium seven-seater", but buyers in the UK already have a wide range of options to choose from – models like the inexpensive SEAT Alhambra, the popular Ford S-MAX and the family favourite Renault Grand Scenic already attract parents with more than three children, while larger vehicles like the Land Rover Discovery make sense for carrying seven grown-ups in comfort.

BMW 2-Series Gran Tourer specifications

Five engines will be available in the new Gran Tourer, all of them turbocharged. Ranging in power from 116bhp to 192bhp, and in efficiency from 44mpg to 72mpg, BMW’s EfficientDynamics engines balance low fuel consumption with sporty performance.

There will be four trim levels for the new BMW 2-Series Gran Tourer – the Advantage, the Sport, the Luxury and the M Sport. The Sport version will include performance seats and external tweaks, while the Luxury will include leather upholstery and chrome details.

Those in search of speed as well as practicality will be interested in the M Sport model. This will include a special aerodynamics package, upgraded M Sport seats and exclusive paints.