Seven-seat BMW 2-series Active Tourer due in 2015 - latest pictures

The seven-seat version of the new BMW 2-series Active Tourer has again been spotted testing in preparation for its arrival in car showrooms in 2015.

BMW's new seven-seat model will have the same wheelbase as the five-seat 2-series Active Tourer, which goes on sale in the UK in late September.

However, it will have slightly longer bodywork than the five-seater, which measures 4342mm in length. Occupant accommodation will be arranged in a two-three-two formation, with two small seats in the rear.

It seems the model could feature some clever packaging of the two rear-most seats, which could fold out from the side of the car rather than up from the floor.

It’s not yet clear how much boot space the seven seater will offer compared with the 468 to 1510 litres (with seats folded flat) of load room in the five-seat version.

BMW UK is eagerly anticipating the model because it currently has only one seven-seat model in its line-up, the BMW X5, which offers the specification of two extra rear seats.

The seven-seat 2-series Active Tourer is expected to command a premium of between £1400-1500 over the five-seat version. This means the range can be expected to start at around £25,500 for the entry-level 218i SE variant.

BMW is expected to make a formal announcement about the seven-seat 2-series Active Tourer towards the end of this year.

The model, which represents a sea change for the Munich manufacturer in that it utilises front-wheel-drive architecture, is expected to open up new target customer groups for BMW.