BMW has previewed its controversial new front-wheel-drive car, the first in the company’s history, badged as a BMW. And the world’s press corps has gone mad.
Now whilst all previous BeeEmms have been RWD, let us not forget that BMW owns Mini and they are all FWD. BeeEmm already had the technology and all they had to do was design a new body/chassis and install the Mini mechanicals.
The to be released Concept Active Tourer is a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid concept car with the space saving transverse engine layout which BMW says is set to heavily influence the design, packaging, ride and handling properties of their next generation of small cars.
FWD BMW
The Concept Active Tourer five-door hatchback closely previews a new people mover crossover model to introduce as its entry level 1-Series line-up in early 2014 as a rival for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class and Volkswagen Golf Plus.
The concept car will be shown at the 2012 Paris motor show at the end of September, with BMW’s new 1.5 liter three cylinder direct injection petrol engine as part of a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that will be used by its i sub-brand’s new i8 sportscar – as previewed at last year’s Frankfurt motor show, and driven by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible III.
Mounted transversely the new three-cylinder engine is supported by an electric motor, with drive through an eight speed automatic gearbox to all four wheels. Power is put at a combined 140 kW.
The battery is a lithium-ion battery pack mounted within the floor of the boot that can be charged both from a regular powerpoint and on the run with the Kinetic Energy Regeneration System (KERS).
BMW says the petrol engine exclusively drives the front wheels, while the electric motor provides power to the rear – an interesting deviation from the more usual all power to one end or both ends of the vehicle.
BMW claims 0-100 km/h in less than 8.0 seconds, a top speed of about 200 km/h along with combined average consumption of less than 2.5 L/100 km and electric-only range of up to 30 km.
While the concept car uses an opulent mix of materials, expect the production version to boast a level of perceived quality in line with the 1-Series. The front seats are raised to a height comparable to that of the BMW X1. The rear seat folds to extend boot space in a 40:20:40 split, while a table can be erected on the rear of the front seat backs to extend the concept car’s practicality.
This will probably be the next 1-Series, but don’t expect it any day soon!
