Richard Steinberg, Manager, Electric Vehicle Operations and
Richard Steinberg, Manager, Electric Vehicle Operations and Strategy at BMWNA, presents the upcoming BMW ActiveE. The production vehicle was recently unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and a pilot kicks off in summer of 2011 in the United States.
The field trial will build on the success and experience gained during the MINI E field trial, and will serve in its turn as a test bed for the upcoming Megacity vehicles.
Just like the MINI E, the BMW ActiveE is a conversion car, an electric vehicle based on the body shell of a vehicle with a combustion engine. The BMW ActiveE integrates all electric drive components such as energy storage unit, electric motor and power electronics in a vehicle body that was not originally intended for this purpose – and without compromising on space or comfort in the interior.
The electric drivetrain produces a power output of 125 kW/170 bhp and maximum torque of 250 Nm, allowing the ActiveE to accelerate from 0 to 62mph (100 km/h) in 9 seconds. The car offers seating for four, compared to the MINI E which had its rear-bench removed in favor of a large electric batter. BMW ActiveE offers 200 liters of luggage storage.
With the newly developed lithium-ion battery unit, the driving range of ActiveE is approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) on a full charge.
Author: Horatiu B.
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/03/05/richa ... w-activee/