Electric BMW 1 Series

Following 2009’s Mini E, BMW has announced its second all-electric car. Based on the 1 Series Coupé, the BMW ActiveE is powered by an electric motor that produces 165 bhp (123 kW / 168 PS) and maximum torque of 250 Nm (184 lb/ft).

That’s sufficient to get the ActiveE from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) in nine seconds - surprisingly sluggish for an electric car, given the instant torque that’s usually available. Top speed is limited to 90 mph (144 km/h), undoubtedly in the interests of preserving battery charge.


Whereas the Mini E lost its rear seats and a big chunk of boot space to its battery pack, the ActiveE retains the same four-seat accommodation as a ‘normal’ 1 Series Coupé. Luggage capacity shrinks from 370 to 200 litres though, thanks to a rear-mounted electric motor and control unit. The liquid cooled lithium-ion batteries meanwhile take the spaces previously occupied by the fuel tank, transmission and engine.


BMW has said that the ActiveE will have a range of 100 miles (160 kilometres). In an effort to maximise the time between recharges, the ActiveE’s accelerator has an intermediate position that allows it to ‘glide’ using its own kinetic energy. Also, when the driver takes their foot completely off the accelerator pedal, the motor becomes a generator that sends charge to the battery while creating braking torque to slow the car down.

When the inevitable range anxiety sets in, Eco Pro mode can be selected. This turns down the heating and air con and sends less energy to the electric motor, all to help the batteries last longer. The situation can be monitored via the battery charge and energy use dials, which replace the conventional fuel gauge and rev counter.

The ActiveE will make its first appearance at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show, but it won’t be entering series production. Rather, just over 1,000 examples will be built for field trials in Europe, the United States and China, with feedback being used for the BMW Megacity Vehicle project.

As with the Mini E, BMW UK is planning to lease the ActiveE to a limited number of customers who will have to apply to participate in the programme. There’s no word yet on the monthly cost, but seeing as it was £330 for the Mini E, don’t expect the ActiveE’s payments to be any less than that.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts:

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Image
Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96. Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range t...
Read more

American spec Fiat 500

Image
Fiat has released the first details and images of the North American specification 500. The tiny city car will be available in Pop, Lounge and Sport trim levels, and is distinguished from the European version by its more aggressive front and rear bumpers, bigger grille and flared sills. Another unique feature is the engine. Fiat has decided to use the 1.4 MultiAir unit currently found in models such as the Fiat Punto Evo and Alfa Romeo MiTo. Perhaps it felt that using the forthcoming two-cylinder TwinAir in the American 500 would have been too much for markets there to take? There’s no word yet on what power output the MultiAir will have, although in its current applications it comes with either 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) or 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). Similarly, prices have yet to be confirmed, but hopefully both details will have been sorted out by the time the order book for the 500 hatch opens later this year. For convertible fans, the 500C is due ...
Read more

i10 N Line versus the Up! GTI

Image
Hyundai has confirmed specifications and pricing for its sporty i10 N Line. This new variant – which arrives at dealers later this month – benefits from some cosmetic tweaks, unique suspension components and a more powerful 1.0 litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine.
Read more

Zero Congestion Charge

Image
In a rare piece of good news for motorists, the beginning of 2011 saw a change to the London Congestion Charge that could see some drivers now (legally) avoiding the fee altogether. The new Greener Vehicle Discount, which replaces the Alternative Fuel Discount, means that more cars will potentially qualify for 100% off the daily charge. Naturally, there are a couple of caveats that come attached with this generous gesture from Transport for London . The first is that the vehicle needs to be ‘green’. More precisely, it should be Euro 5 emissions compliant and produce 100 grams of CO2 per kilometre or less. Secondly, if you already own such an eco-friendly machine, don’t presume that you can just swan about in central London and not worry about the Congestion Charge. To receive the Greener Vehicle Discount, a car must first be registered with Transport for London, and that involves a £10 annual payment. So, what cars will qualify for the Greener Vehicle Discount? According to ...
Read more