What is it?
At first glance, the ActiveE is just a BMW 1 Series with an unusual paint job, but look closer and the real significance of this Detroit show car becomes apparent. There's no petrol engine under the bonnet, just batteries that feed a 170bhp electric motor, which in turn drives the rear wheels. BMW claims that the ActiveE covers 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds and has a practical range of 100 miles on a full charge.
Why's it here?
The ActiveE Concept is all part of BMW's electric future. This 1 Series shows off a more compact battery system that is quick to charge: BMW says the lithium ion pack can be fully recharged in three hours from the plug-in socket. The more compact battery pack and electric motor also mean the 1 Series's boot is still a decent size, offering 200 litres of load space. BMW is likely to trial the ActiveE in a similar way to the
MINI E with selected users leasing the car to assess its suitability.
Show stopper or floor filler?
A 1 Series Coupé is not going to attract the hordes on its own, so BMW has painted up the ActiveE with some graphics and treated the tyres to a rinky-dink blue band. Even so, it's what's underneath the ActiveE's skin that's important. We appreciate the significance of the engineering and what it means for BMW's future, but the ActiveE is not going to halt showgoers in their tracks.
Full 2010 Detroit Auto Show report.
Alisdair Suttie - 12 Jan 2010