BMW CAT spy pictures

These are the latest pictures of the BMW CAT, spied undergoing testing at the Nurburgring. The CAT will be available in five-seat form first, and is set to go on sale in mid-2014.

First revealed at the Paris Motor Show, it was initially suggested that the CAT - short for Concept Active Tourer - was to be titled the BMW 1 Series GT. However, BMW has confirmed to Auto Express that the CAT will in fact become part of the 2 Series family, although whether it will be badged 2 Series GT is still yet to be confirmed.

The first 2 Series model will be the Coupe, which will arrive at the Detroit Motor Show in January next year, alongside the 4 Series Convertible. Both of these cars will go on sale here in March 2014.

Whatever it's called, the new BMW will become the firm's first front-wheel drive car, as it is underpinned by its new UKL front-wheel drive platform that'll debut with the new MINI in November.

The CAT will be available as a five seater first, with a seven-seater joining the range in late 2014. The five-seater will rival the Mercedes B-Class, but the seven-seater has no direct opposition as yet, although Audi is said to be considering an MPV version of the A3.

To accommodate the extra pair of seats, the seven-seat version will have a slightly longer rear overhang. It'll feature larger rear doors to make access to the third row of seats easier, too.

Under the bonnet will be BMW's new modular 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, while a version of the hybrid system used on the concept car in Paris is also expected.