BMW has unveiled its first front-wheel drive five-seat MPV called the 2-series Active Tourer before its official showcase at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show 2014.

The 2-series Active Tourer adopts a transversely mounted engine and standard front-wheel drive. This layout has never been used by a fully fledged BMW series-production model before but it is set to underpin an impressive assembly of new BMW models.

It will also be the first BMW to be offered with three-cylinder power - a compact new turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, as featured in the new Mini hatchback.

The proportions of the 2-series Active Tourer differ greatly from those of traditional rear-drive BMWs, especially around the front end, which receives a comparatively short and heavily angled bonnet. The tall glasshouse also has a distinctive cab-forward influence not usually associated with BMWs.

At 4342mm in length, 1800mm in width and 1555mm in height, the 2-series Active Tourer is 17mm longer, 55mm wider and 135mm taller than BMW’s 1-series hatch. To put it into perspective, the Mercedes-Benz B-class, a similarly conceived front-drive MPV, is 4360m long, 1785mm wide and the same 1555mm tall.

The new MPV is the first BMW to utilise the company’s high-strength steel entry-level platform, as first unveiled by daughter company Mini on its new third-generation hatch.