The first generation of the 2-Series Gran Tourer was introduced in June 2015. It was the second shock for the German brand's fans, which couldn't accept a front-wheel-drive BWM. But the BMW management didn't back up and backed-up the project. They knew that the market needed a small vehicle able to carry more people inside a city and a regular 2- or 3-Series just wouldn't fit the needs. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz already had the A-Class and the B-Class which were suitable for that customer segment. Despite its compact size, the 2-Series Gran Tourer offered enough room for five adults plus two children inside. Since it used the same platform as a Mini, with a transverse engine, the designers had more room for the cabin. The rear side of the car was extended when compared to the Active Tourer, to accommodate an extra set of seats in the trunk area. The facelift brought a new front fascia, with a larger and taller grille design, and new headlights. Inside, the center stack was tilted toward the driver, emphasizing its role. There were new materials used for the interior and a new BMW M-Performance package. The longer seat cushions made the vehicle more comfortable on long journeys. The customers could choose from different trim levels, including Luxury Line, Sport Line, and M Sport packages. For the powertrain, the facelift received a wide choice of three- and four-cylinder units, plus a plug-in hybrid. The 2-Series Gran Tourer was available with a choice of a manual or automatic transmission, including a new, 7-speed dual-clutch one.