The Gran Tourer is BMW — but not as we know it

There is no doubt that the people at BMW know a hell of a lot more about the motor industry than I do, but sometimes I wonder if, for all their knowledge and ingenuity, motor companies sometimes overstep the mark and outguess themselves and their ambitions.

It is fair to say that there were gasps of horror and shock from traditionalists when BMW announced its first ever front-wheel drive car, the 2-Series Active Tourer, but the wisdom of the company’s move into the premium mini-MPV has seen that car become their third-best-selling model across Europe and any naysayers have been well and truly put in their box.

The move then to make a seven-seat version — the Gran Tourer as against the Active Tourer — seemed both plausible and sensible. Indeed I was really looking forward to driving it, having already discovered the pleasures of the Active Tourer and liking it.