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BMW Concept Active Tourer breaks with tradition, goes front-wheel drive [w/video]

George Kennedy — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, Luxury

We've seen the leaked photos and finally the web reveal before the Paris Motor Show, but now the BMW Concept Active Tourer is here, in all its diminutive, plug-in glory. BMW is billing its two-box Concept Active Tourer as a study in both design and powertrain.

With an upright driving position and Hofmeister kink at the D-pillar, the Concept Active Tourer evokes some design elements used in BMW's crossovers. The front end, however, is unmistakably influenced by the new 3 Series. At 171 inches, it's just an inch longer than the F20 1 Series, but it's also roughly five inches taller.

The Concept Active Tourer is motivated by BMW's eDrive system. It features a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine as part of a hybrid drivetrain, with its charge derived from a lithium-ion battery pack. Combined, the plug-in hybrid system makes 190 horsepower and 147 pound feet of torque. In a major break with BMW protocol, the Concept Active Tourer is front-wheel drive. BMW claims zero to 62 mph in under eight seconds and a top speed of 124 mph. Fuel economy is estimated at 2.5 liters per 100 kilometers, or roughly 94 miles per gallon on the European cycle.

The rumormill had a production (and likely non-hybrid) version of the Active Tourer wearing the 1 Series Gran Turismo nameplate, and there's still a chance that this compact tall wagon could wear that name in production form. There's no official word on if or when a roadgoing version will bow, but we aren't expecting it to come to North America anyhow. In the meantime, check out our gallery of the Active Tourer Concept before scrolling down to watch a video and read BMW's official verbiage.

Continue reading BMW Concept Active Tourer breaks with tradition, goes front-wheel drive [w/video]

BMW Concept Active Tourer breaks with tradition, goes front-wheel drive [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW i8 Spyder takes to the stage bearing eDrive name

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, Performance, BMW, Beijing Motor Show, Design/Style, Electric

BMW has created the BMW i sub-brand for its upcoming production plug-in models, which currently include three concepts: the i3, i8 and the i8 Spyder. After keeping that third model away from our eager cameras at the New York Auto Show, BMW finally showed off the i8 Spyder Concept in the metal at the Beijing Motor Show today.

The car itself we've already learned plenty about, but seeing it on stage shows once again that BMW is serious about putting cars like these on the road (toned down from the concept's style, of course, perhaps with something like this). We're more than ready for the through-the-road, plug-in hybrid that packs a 96-kW (131-horsepower) electric motor in front and a turbocharged three-cylinder gas engine offering 223 hp in back. 0-62 in five seconds and maybe 78 MPGe? Yes, please.

BMW is also making official the "eDrive" name, which is the new catch-all name for all of the electric drivetrain components: motor, battery and motor management system. First hinted at in 2008, the eDrive designation will be used "for the drive technology of all future electric and plug-in hybrid cars," so get used to seeing it a lot.

Continue reading BMW i8 Spyder takes to the stage bearing eDrive name

BMW i8 Spyder takes to the stage bearing eDrive name originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW's 2009 unveiling schedule?

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show, Crossover, BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce

BMW Blog has trained its spyglass on what it says is a list of BMW rollouts for 2009, and it will begin next month with the brand spankin' new Z4 showcased at the Detroit Auto Show. It is March, though, that will bring year's first real bounty. At Geneva, BMW will be showing off a concept version of the Progressive Activity Vehicle (half 5 Series, half X6), the Concept eDrive (an electric 1 Series or 3 Series), a Z4 Individual, and the Rolls-Royce 102EX (otherwise known as the RR4). Then in April, BMW's taking the show to Shanghai with the 760Li.

Post-Shanghai, you'll get a few months to digest. Then at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, BMW is expected to have the production-ready Progressive Activity Vehicle on display and the MINI Crossover. It is there, perhaps, that they'll also trot out a show pony speedster they call the Vision-Z with eDrive, their idea of "progress of sports cars for the future." And sprinkled on top throughout the year come launches of the 7 Series xDrive, 7 Series Hybrid, X5 M, X6 M, and X6 Active Hybrid. For bimmer lovers, 2009 is going to be a jubilee year.

[Source: BMW Blog]

BMW's 2009 unveiling schedule? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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