BMW Concept Active Tourer officially unveiled, 1.5 liter 3-cylinder engine debuts
BMW broke its rear-wheel-drive tradition today with the debut of the new Concept Active Tourer, which will be making its first public debut at the upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show. The model is being described by BMW as the “first in the premium compact segment to combine comfort and space functionality with dynamic performance and style.”
BMW says that the Concept Active Tourer is a key component in the ongoing development of the brand as annual growth rates of up to five percent are expected in the small car and compact segment of the premium class in the years to come.
As a plug-in hybrid, the BMW Concept Active Tourer also provides a glimpse into the future of powertrains for the brand’s compact vehicles. It features all components of the electric drive, the electric motor developed by BMW, the lithium-ion battery and a new engine. Mated to a 1.5 liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine, the system puts out a total of 190-hp when working together. That allows the BMW Concept Active Tourer to run from 0 to 62 mph in less than 8 seconds with fuel-economy coming in at an estimated 98 mpg. On a fill charge, the concept can travel a total of 18 miles before the engine kicks in.
The new 3-cylinder engine in the BMW Concept Active Tourer is one of the first applications of this new engine. You can expect to find it in feature compact BMW models as well.
Other BMW EfficientDynamics measures include an automatic engine start/stop system geared especially towards the plug-in hybrid drive and the second generation of air flap control.
No word on when we’ll see the production model – but it will definitely happen.
– By: Omar Rana
