BMW plans to unveil its Concept ActiveE EV in January 2010 just as its worldwide road test of the MINI E is kicking into high gear. The Concept ActiveE, based on the design profile as the BMW 1 Series Coupe, is slated for a big presentation at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January. BMW notes that the Concept ActiveE and the MINI E form two pillars of its i Megacity Vehicle Initiative, a long-term plan to develop electric vehicles for urban mobility.
The BMW Concept ActiveE is a four-seat coupe powered by a 125 kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery produced by BMW and SB LiMotive. BMW states that the Concept ActiveE is able to reach 60 miles per hour from a dead stop in 8.5 seconds. The motor acts as a generator during deceleration, thereby increasing range per charge by 20% in city driving. The BMW/SB LiMotive battery pack can be recharged within four hours and lasts up to 100 miles per charge.
The Concept ActiveE is notable for its incorporation of a mobile controlled HVAC as well as the BMW Connected Drive system. The heating and air conditioning systems in this BMW concept EV can be turned on and off using a mobile phone or PDA. BMW also designed the HVAC system to operate while connected to an outlet, thereby preserving the battery for commutes. The BMW Connected Drive System goes beyond modulating HVAC operation from afar. This mobility system allows drivers to find public charging stations known to the BMW Connected Drive System. Concept ActiveE drivers can also analyze vehicle performance reports and battery charges from their homes and offices.
BMW’s initial testing of the Concept ActiveE is anticipated to be slightly less extensive than the current MINI E test. Even with a more modest road test, BMW anticipates producing more ActiveEs than MINI Es in the long run. The stacking of EV road tests by BMW shows how the automaker will proceed with EV rollouts in the future. By overlapping phases in the EV research and development process, BMW is anticipating year-to-year releases of new EVs in the future. As the 2010 NAIAS becomes a distant memory, the automaker will likely unveil new EVs at auto shows over the next decade following a similar model. BMW wisely realizes that the MINI E and the Concept ActiveE cannot succeed without a demonstration of performance among prospective early adopters.
