Photo: CarPix
A while back we were telling you that BMW is testing a plug-in hybrid version of the new 2 Series Active Tourer. Back then we spotted the new car alongside two i8s, somewhere in France.
Well, today we caught a glimpse of the prototype next to another i car, the i3. Apparently BMW is testing the two side by side, to see how the 2 Series handles the hybrid powertrain.
However, we’re expecting the new model to be using a layout closer to what the i8 is fitted with and not the i3 counterpart. That’s because, most hints point to an 1.5-liter 3-cylinder powerplant being used up front to power the wheels.
That would be an engine with less than 150 HP at its disposal, to carry the new MPV around. That would be joined by an electric motor fitted in the back of the car that would be fed by a set of batteries installed inside the center stack as there would be no need for a driveshaft in there, to power the rear axle.
The back wheels would be powered by the electric unit directly, in a similar way as on the i8, only oriented the other way around (in the plug-in sportscar, the internal combustion engine feeds the rear wheels and vice-versa).
The total output could be somewhere over 200 HP, with an electric range of around 20 miles (32 km), a similar offering to the one found on the X5 eDrive concept.
Of course, in this case, the power needed to drive the car would be smaller thanks to the lighter weight of the vehicle. At the same time, the battery pack would have a smaller size, therefore further reducing the overall weight of the 2 Series Active Tourer plug-in hybrid.
The ‘regular’ 2SAT will go on sale in November, at first in Europe. The US might not get it at first, especially in FWD guise. Plans are to introduce the new model in xDrive versions alone across the pond.
However, we’re expecting the new model to be using a layout closer to what the i8 is fitted with and not the i3 counterpart. That’s because, most hints point to an 1.5-liter 3-cylinder powerplant being used up front to power the wheels.
That would be an engine with less than 150 HP at its disposal, to carry the new MPV around. That would be joined by an electric motor fitted in the back of the car that would be fed by a set of batteries installed inside the center stack as there would be no need for a driveshaft in there, to power the rear axle.
The back wheels would be powered by the electric unit directly, in a similar way as on the i8, only oriented the other way around (in the plug-in sportscar, the internal combustion engine feeds the rear wheels and vice-versa).
The total output could be somewhere over 200 HP, with an electric range of around 20 miles (32 km), a similar offering to the one found on the X5 eDrive concept.
Of course, in this case, the power needed to drive the car would be smaller thanks to the lighter weight of the vehicle. At the same time, the battery pack would have a smaller size, therefore further reducing the overall weight of the 2 Series Active Tourer plug-in hybrid.
The ‘regular’ 2SAT will go on sale in November, at first in Europe. The US might not get it at first, especially in FWD guise. Plans are to introduce the new model in xDrive versions alone across the pond.
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