The BMW ActiveE is the second electric test vehicle created by the BMW Group, and it will get its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
The latest electric test vehicle created by BMW, the ActiveE, is based on the current BMW 1 Series Coupe. With four seats and storage space of 200-litres the new car will be the first electric vehicle from the firm to provide the levels of space and comfort you would get from a traditionally powered BMW car. Head, shoulder and leg room are exactly the same in the ActiveE as they are in a standard 1 Series Coupe.
Under the bonnet the BMW ActiveE is powered by an electric synchronous motor, which is able to accelerate the car from 0-60mph in 9 seconds, whilst delivering power of 168bhp and peak torque of 184lb-ft and reaching a top speed which is limited at 90mph. The dynamic driving style which BMW is known for has been maintained in the ActiveE with a low center of gravity, and 50:50 weight distribution to enhance traction and power transfer.
In place of the engine block, transmission, and fuel tank, the new car instead has three large batteries with lithium-ion cells, which are protected by a steel-plate housing which has an integrated liquid cooling system to keep them at the optimal operating temperature.
Whenever the driver in a BMW ActiveE takes their foot off the accelerator, the motor instantly switches to become a generator, feeding electricity created from kinetic energy back into the battery. This recuperation of energy can increase the range of the vehicle by up to 20%.
A new feature of this car will be an intermediate position on the accelerator pedal which allows the car to move forward on its own kinetic energy, without drawing energy from the batteries. And to increase the range even further the ECO Pro mode can be selected, which means that the drive configuration and comfort functions are modified to use less energy. When the car is put into this mode the air con and heating use less energy, and the accelerator demands less power to travel the same distance.
The exterior styling of the ActiveE is basically the same as the traditionally powered 1 Series Coupe, but with the addition of circuit inspired graphics, a scoop in the bonnet, and a closed rear apron with no exhaust pipes.
Once inside you will find Pearl Grey Dakota leather seats with Blue contrast stitching, and a revised instrument cluster which, among other things, replaces the rev counter with dials to show the amount of energy being used and recuperated.
The BMW ActiveE can be fully charged overnight using a conventional domestic socket, allowing for maximum flexibility, or it can be charged in 5 hours using a 32-ampere wallbox.
Starting this year a test fleet of over 1,000 BMW ActiveE vehicles will be trialled in Europe, China and the USA, to provide insights into the everday use of this electric vehicle. This information will then be used to help in the future development of the Megacity Vehicle which is due to go into production in 2013.
The ActiveE itself will be leased to select customers by BMW UK.
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