Following 2009’s Mini E, BMW has announced its second all-electric car. Based on the 1 Series CoupĂ©, 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 CoupĂ©. 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 (1...
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