BMW Reveals All-Electric 1-Series Coupe ahead of Detroit Auto Show, Fleet Tests to Follow

The 2010 Detroit Show in January will play host to the world premiere of the BMW Concept ActiveE, a new plug-in electric version of the 1-Series Coupe that will go into limited production and be offered as a lease vehicle to certain customers within the next two years. The Concept ActiveE is the BMW Group's second vehicle after the MINI E to be developed as part of the visionary "project i" initiative.

While retaining the 1-Series Coupe's rear-wheel drive layout, BMW ditched the standard model's internal-combustion engine adding a new synchronous electric motor specially developed for this vehicle that's integrated in the rear axle. The motor produces an output of 125kW or 170hp and a maximum torque of 250Nm or 184 lb-ft.

The electrical energy that powers the motor is stored in a pair of lithium-ion battery packs developed jointly by BMW and SB LiMotive. The battery packs occupy the space that would normally be taken up by the conventional drivetrain and fuel tank in vehicles powered by a combustion engine.

Despite the various weight-saving measures, the Concept ActiveE tips the scales at a hefty 1,800 kg or about 3,970 pounds.

BMW predicts that the all-electric 1-Series can accelerate from zero to 60km/h (37mph) in less than 4.5 seconds and from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in less than 9 seconds, while the car's maximum speed is electronically limited to about 145 km/h or 90 mph.

Like the MINI E, BMW says that the real-world range is expected to be around 160 kilometers or 100 miles on a single charge, depending on conditions.

The car's lithium-ion batteries can be recharged by a conventional power outlet at public charging stations or at a special wall box. On the European grid, BMW says that the battery pack can be fully charged at a high-current power outlet (50 ampere) in as little as three hours, while in North America, using a high-current (32 ampere continuous) residential wall box, the charge time is expected to be around 4.5 hours.

The all-electric 1-Series Coupe remains a four-seater, however, the car's boot capacity has been reduced to 200 liters due to the electric tidbits.

Design-wise, the Concept ActiveE is distinguished by the Liquid White metallic finish as well as the special logos and graphic elements derived from printed circuits in Electric Blue on the hood, doors, roof and trunk lid.

The coupe also gets specific light-alloy wheel wheels, a specially trimmed interior and revised instrument panel and central display that have been enhanced to include display items specific to electric drive.