Friday, April 22, 2022

BMW 2-Series Active Tourer U06

The BMW 2-Series Active Tourer is the first front-wheel-drive BMW ever made when it was first launched several years ago and of course, being the first FF BMW in history, it caused fire and fury from purists everywhere because it doesn't behave like a BMW but as a family-oriented BMW for those who despise crossovers, it fits through all walks of life. With the second generation, this all-new Active Tourer is going to have some serious explaining to do.

2022 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer
2022 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer

Starting at 36,000 Euros plus additional costs, the second-generation BMW Active Tourer picks up where its predecessor left off and that means, irritating more purists than the last one with new and extreme ways to make scandals on the public. 

First and foremost is the design; and because the new Active Tourer behaves in the new normal BMW design approach, its massive vertical-shaped kidney grille is another proof of why speedo boys are heavily irritated with BMW's design trends of today. To be brutally honest, the front face is a stark reminder of why BMW's terrifying looks are here to stay, like it or not. As the world complains about the new model's front face, it is still similarly sized compared to the previous model. It's still an MPV made for those who despise SUVs.

2022 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer
2022 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer interior

While the exterior design is playing dirty like today's BMWs, the interior is part functional, part comfortable, part spacious, and part annoying. Right and wrong balanced out. The functional topic is all about the range of usable gadgets you can play around with while the comfortable topic focuses on its improved creature comforts fit for a five-seater MPV, the spacious topic focuses on the added space courtesy of its new platform and with the rear seats folded down, there's more room for important stuff, and the annoying part is...there are some like for instance, voice control.

2022 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer
2022 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer

The all-new Active Tourer is offered with a choice of petrol and engines at launch with the additional PHEV model coming this summer. They're all mated to a 7-speed Steptronic double-clutch gearbox. The range-topper for ICE variants is the 223i M Sport Pack with the 2.0L petrol engine that produces 218PS of power and 320Nm of torque. With the xDrive set, it sprints from 0-100kph in 6.9 seconds and onwards to 238kph. Pretty quick for a luxury MPV.

Running on a new front-wheel-drive platform derived from the current 1-Series, the new Active Tourer is not meant to be driven dynamically like a BMW. In fact, it feels hypoallergenic and civilized at the same time, even when kitted out with a sporty suspension setup available. Not enjoyable as such but it's worth getting its groove for an MPV that tries to outsmart its chief rival, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

On the topic of safety, the all-new Active Tourer is armed with the most advanced safety features offered including the Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assistant, giving it Level 2 capability. Speedo boys don't like it but whatever.

The all-new BMW 2-Series Active Tourer continues to irritate purists more than its previous model not only because of its new FF platform but also its terrorizing front face that was slapped on this family-oriented luxury MPV. Either way, there's no denying that the all-new Active Tourer strives to outsmart the B-Class by a long shot. Like it or hate it, the all-new Active Tourer is all about living a life in a day for business-class families. So thank you, BMW, and you're welcome.

Photo: BMW AG

UKRAINE CONFLICT: 4/22/2022

                                   


The latest in the ongoing Ukraine conflict:

COVID-19 SITUATION: 4/22/2022

                                         

The latest in the ongoing COVID-19 situation:

  • Vaccine expert: We are not yet off the hook, the threat of Covid-19 remains
  • DOH: Different vaccine brand as 2nd COVID-19 booster shot ‘more effective
  • WHO backs Pfizer’s oral COVID therapy for high-risk patients
  • PH to donate 5 million Sputnik V vaccine doses to Myanmar
  • Bulacan reaches target herd immunity against COVID-19

Let's Do The News! (April 22, 2022)

                                         

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- Re-electionist Senator Joel Villanueva wants to increase senior citizens' monthly pension to 1000 pesos.

- A magnitude 6.1 quake rattled Davao Oriental.

- Sara Duterte admits the Universal Health Care law is hard to implement.

- The PH Bureau of Customs launches its trace detection system against terrorism and illegal drugs.

- COMELEC reschedules presidential and VP debates to April 30 and May 1.

- The sun is about to enter its Solar Maximum phase.

- Taiwan details its new advanced missile and drone attack capabilities.

- Elon Musk says he has secured $46.5 billion in funding for the Twitter bid.

- Vietnam to ban bikes in Hanoi by 2025 as experts call to improve public transportation first.

- BMW and McLaren are reportedly collaborating on a new electric sports car platform.

- Video game It Takes Two is getting a movie adaptation.

- Mike Tyson is involved in an altercation on the plane.

- Actor Jacques Perrin dies at the age of 80.

TTFN.

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Let's Do The News! (April 21, 2022)

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- Researchers said that climate change and intense agriculture have cut insect populations by half.

- French President Emmanuel Macron and rival Marine Le Pen clash in TV presidential debate

- South Africa deploys 400 troops in the flood-hit region.

- The death toll from Agaton is now at 224.

- The US Capitol was briefly evacuated after authorities sounded a threat alarm over a parachute stunt, prompting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to blast aviation officials for an "inexcusable" failure.

- Manila mayor and presidential candidate Isko Moreno is not imploding in attacks against Philippine vice president Leni Robredo, according to his campaign manager.

- According to COMELEC, about 372,878 ballots are labeled defective and set to be reprinted.

- Investors are skeptical over Netflix's plans to crack down on account sharing.

- Lexus unveiled the RZ, a fully-electric crossover with a 71.4kwh battery, twin electric motors, DIRECT4 4WD, and an available yoke steering.

- Lincoln showcased their electric crossover concept known as the Star Concept.



- The BMW 7-Series G70 has been unveiled along with the first-ever i7 electric flagship saloon.


- Vin Diesel announced the title of the 10th Fast & Furious movie. To be called Fast X, this final chapter will be split into two parts with Part 1 showing next year.

- Boxer Oscar De La Hoya has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman twice in 2020.

TTFN.

UKRAINE CONFLICT: 4/21/2022

                                  


The latest in the ongoing Ukraine conflict:

  • Mines and booby traps: Risky return home for Ukrainians
  • Macron attacks Le Pen on Russia, Muslim headscarf ban pledge
  • Ukraine seeks Mariupol evacuation talks after surrender-or-die ultimatum expires

COVID-19 SITUATION: 4/21/2022

                                        

The latest in the ongoing COVID-19 situation:

  • Shanghai new COVID-19 cases: 2,494 confirmed, 16,407 asymptomatic
  • New study finds about 30 percent of COVID-19 patients develop "Long COVID"
  • New Zealand reports 11,217 new community cases of Covid-19
  • S. Korea reports 111,319 new Covid-19 cases
  • Muntinlupa’s new Covid-19 cases not community-acquired – health officer
  • Antipolo City cited for Covid-19 economic recovery initiatives, programs
  • Shanghai cautiously eases lockdown as deaths rise