Set to go on sale from the autumn, the five-seater MPV will offer practicality along with CO2 figures starting from a provisional 109g/km for the launch engines. Four-wheel drive and seven-seater versions will join later in the year.

The 2 Series Active Tourer offers compact dimensions of just 4,342mm long (only marginally longer than a BMW 1 Series), 1,800mm wide and 1,555mm in height, making it slightly shorter, wider and lower than the rivalling Mercedes B-Class.

Despite its compact exterior length, the new model is said to offer luxury-class legroom, particularly in the rear, and there’s also an optional panoramic roof and the A-pillar triangle window, both of which also improve all-round visibility.

Boot space is 468 litres rising to 1,510, with a flat loading floor and a 40:20:40 split-folding rear backrest fitted as standard. To add to its MPV practicality, there’s also a sliding rear seat, allowing either knee room or luggage space to be increased as required, while the backrest can be adjusted to recline for the three rear seats or sit more upright for extra luggage space.

In line with the move to front-wheel drive, the 2 Series Active Tourer features a newly developed chassis. There’s also optional electronically controlled dampers, which offer a choice of two different chassis settings whilst optional Variable Sports Steering and the introduction of M Sport models arrive later in 2014.

The model also features all-new transverse engines, including a brand-new 134bhp three-cylinder engine seen in the MINI and which forms part of a newly developed modular family offering light weight, high-performance and fuel-efficiency, with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The result is CO2 emissions of 115g/km and a combined fuel figure of 57.6mpg for the six-speed manual –with a six-speed automatic also available.

Engine choices comprise three and four-cylinder drive units installed transversely and featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, as well as complying with the EU6 emissions standard.

Already used in the MINI, the new 136hp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol unit in the 218i offers official combined fuel consumption of 4.9l/100 km with CO2 emissions of 115g/km with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Topping the bill at market launch is the four-cylinder 231hp 225i Active Tourer with official combined fuel consumption of 6.0l/100km and CO2 emissions of 139g/km.

There’s also the 150hp 218d Active Tourer four-cylinder diesel with a combined figure of 4.1l/100km and CO2 of 109g/km

The range will be extended from late autumn to include variants equipped with the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

In addition, an M Sport package will be available from November. An M Aerodynamics package, M Sport suspension and 17 or 18-inch M light-alloy wheels on the outside are complemented by an M leather steering wheel and specially upholstered sports seats in the interior.

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

In addition, BMW will be one of a number of carmakers appearing at this year's Fleet Show at Silverstone in the UK on Wednesday 9th April and will be bringing models including its new i3. For more details, visit: http://www.thefleetshow.co.uk/