BMW Concept Active Tourer

Concept Cars 14 Sep 2012

Debuting at the Paris Show, the BMW Concept Active Tourer is a near-production study of compact hatchback with a spacious five-seats cabin and a hybrid powertrain.

The Concept Active Tourer signals BMW’s plans to enter the premium compact segment, the same of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

Compared to it, the Concept Active Tourer showcases very similar dimensions, with a length of 4,350 mm (-9 mm), a width of 1,834 mm (+48mm), a height of 1,560 mm (+3mm) and a wheelbase of 2,670 mm (-29mm).

The exterior design uses the current styling cues of the brand, with the dynamic surfacing defined by sharp crease lines, the tilted forwards kidney grille with the aggressive headlights and the muscular hood.

A new design element is the surface treatment in the lower area of the door panels, with a scalloped surface that creates an interplay of light with the contrasting rising shadow line of the side sills, underlining the wedge-like profile.

The overall sensation is that the exterior is very close to the upcoming production model, except for few details such as the side mirrors with their intricate shape.

On the other hand, the interior is more futuristic and concept-like, with dynamic, curved shapes and a contrast between the light grey and the medium grey of the leather upholstery.

The hi-tech character of the car is suggested by the ambient lighting system – available in blue and orange – and by distinctive elements such as the panoramic composite glass roof with adjustable opacity and the multicolor Head-Up Display.

The infotainment system includes a 8-inch display for the main controls and navigation system and two tablets for the rear passengers, fixed to the clip-on track system.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV = Plug-in-Hybrid Electric Vehicle) features a 1.5-liter gasoline engine driving the front wheels – a first for BMW – and an electric motor designed as a fully-fledged power unit acting on the rear axle, if necessary powering the car on its own.

The batteries of the hybrid drive are housed entirely underneath the load floor, which contributes to the spaciousness of the cabin.

With a system output of over 140 kW/190 bhp, the BMW Concept Active Tourer accelerates from standing to 100 km/h in less than eight seconds, and reaches a top speed of 200 km/h.

The average fuel consumption is less than 2.5 litters per 100 kilometers, with a CO2 emissions level of less than 60 g/km.

(Source: BMW)