BMW Concept ActiveE: 1-Series Goes Electric

The BMW 1-Series is going electric with the ActiveE Concept — the next chapter in BMW's "Megacity" project — will be produced for large-scale fleet testing. Can you handle ze power?

Rather than just another concept, the ActiveE is planned for a larger scale field test than the one currently being held for the Mini E as part of Project I. This bit of data, combined with the debut at the Detroit Auto Show, means it's likely U.S bound.

The vehicle itself is another small step in the maturity of these electric concept. Unlike other electric cars, which start with a huge rush of torque that dissipates over time, the ActiveE uses a synchronous motor designed to more closely mimic torque delivery deeper into the power band.

Power is set at 170 HP with 184 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to get the battery-laden coupe up to 60 MPH in about 8.5 seconds. Not world-beating, but it's capable of charging to full in 4.5 hours on a U.S. residential 220-volt residential box and has a 100-mile range. Built into the 1-Series platform, this is all meant to produce an electric car experience more in line with BMW's expressed value as a driver's machine.

More importantly than any of this is what the ActiveE represents. BMW, as a company continues to develop its Megacity low-consumption vehicle and with plans for building a sub-brand for efficient cars. What this new brand will eventually look like is uncertain, but they've admitted the ActiveE gets them one step closer.

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