The somewhat poor display of new cars German manufacturer BMW prepared for the Geneva Auto Show is highlighted by only two models, the Vision ConnectedDrive and the ActiveE. Whereas the former is only a concept, the ActiveE is a preview of what's to come from BMW as the Megacity vehicle.
To be shown publicly next month, the model comes as the second all-electric vehicle the BMW group has developed, following the now defunct MINI E (the results of the tests conducted on the MINI E will, however, prove invaluable in the development of the Megacity).
As was the case with the MINI, what BMW will learn with the ActiveE will be used in the future electric vehicle from BMW. This means that most of the components used in the 1 Series-based EV to be shown next month (especially the drive components and energy storage units) will make it into production, with the necessary modifications.
The electric motor in the car develops 170 bhp and a maximum torque of 250 Nm, enough to make the car capable of reaching 100 km/h in less than nine seconds. The range is being taken care of by the lithium-ion batteries, which provide an autonomy of about 160 kilometres (100 miles).
After the Geneva Show, BMW will begin producing the ActiveE in Leipzig and ship them to the US, Europe and China. 1,000 units will be tested and then used on the electric sub-brand which will launch in 2013.
autoevolution will be attending the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.
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