BMW ActiveE 2012
The last stage of the first BMW series Stromer, the i3. The electric vehicle based on the 1 Series Coupe, externally there are few differences, the pattern on the white paint are reminiscent of the traces of a chip
Munich, 2011
The first mass-produced electric car from BMW will be the i3 and coming in 2013. But for years the Group collects electrical experience, first with about 600 Mini E and now with about 1,000 BMW ActiveE. The latter has the same powertrain as the i3. We have already driven the ActiveE.
BMW ActiveE 2012 : A Typical Conversion Car
When ActiveE is called a conversion vehicle: It came from the normal 1 Series Coupe and built a battery and electric motor. This is not perfect of course. Thus, when a large part ActiveE claimed the trunk of electrical components, and a bulge in the front hood is necessary to have enough space. All the same, unlike the Mini, who was still a two-seater and offered little trunk, the ActiveE has four seats and 200 liters of storage volume.
BMW ActiveE 2012 : Other Battery-Sharing
The biggest difference to the i3 is the placement of the batteries. At their next electric car will make it a stylish package with the size and shape of a child's mattress, which is housed in the underbody. However, they are in ActiveE wherever they found space: in the transmission tunnel, rear instead of the tank and front under the hood. The electric motor is located together with transmission and power electronics over the rear axle which it drives. While there is a lack of space behind, in front, where fit in normal car with a six cylinder need too much space. Near the wall to the interior is a battery pack, but the space in front remains more or less empty. Batteries should not be in there for reasons of crash safety.
BMW ActiveE 2012 : In 4.5 Seconds From Zero to 60
The ActiveE is powered with 170 horsepower or 125 kilowatts very abundant. The pace-100-Sprint handled the car in 9.0 seconds. Crucial for a city car is probably the sprints from zero to 60 km / Is done in 4.5 seconds. By comparison, the new electric Smart done the same in 5.0 seconds - at a peak power of 55 kilowatts or 75 horsepower. The maximum speed of at least ActiveE is 145 km / h. Loaded with household or high current, through the same socket. On the wall box with 32 amps it takes four to five hours.
BMW ActiveE 2012 : Ready For Rolling AwayFor us it's time to get into the car and leave. Welcomes us inside a cockpit that is not much different from a normal 1's interior. Striking, however, is a white bar on the dashboard. The processing is still not on the usual BMW standards. But otherwise everything is as usual. We push the start button and watch as the needle moves round the right instrument to the center position, where stands ready. Otherwise, the instrument shows the strength of the regenerative braking or the requested service. To the left sits the normal speedometer. Otherwise there is the conventional automatic selector lever. We put it on D and on the road again - silently, of course.
BMW ActiveE 2012 : First Gas-Shock
At the first right gas shock but then we heard a noise like a jet engine, only much quieter. It's going fast, very fast. And that despite the high weight of 1.8 tons. If the i3 actually gets the same drive and 600 pounds lighter, like BMW insurance, then you can look forward to a sporty car. Also, the behavior of the curve ActiveE convinced that the balanced weight distribution of 50 to 50, which is achieved by distributing the battery is very pleasant. When we go before the next traffic light from the gas, we feel then slam the recuperation. It works in ActiveE significantly stronger than the usual engine brake. It has to get used to, we do not feel it as a disadvantage. On the contrary: So you can get by with foresighted driving in the city almost without mechanical brakes.
BMW ActiveE 2012 : Eco-Pro Mode
Efficiently than in the normal mode, move the ActiveE in Eco-Pro mode, which is inserted via a switch. Especially in the footwell to less power is required. The difference is slight and not everyone will notice. In addition, heats and cools the climate system less and consumes less energy so. Speaking of energy consumption: At the end of our departure we drove about 40 miles and the remaining range is indicated by 100 kilometers. The specified total range of 160 kilometers seems so realistic.
BMW ActiveE 2012 : A Small Car With 170 Horsepower?
Nevertheless, because of the limited range, an electric car can not currently be much more than a city car. For a city car but is almost on the ActiveE motorized. This applies even more for small cars i3, which is significantly lighter. For us, opens up the meaning of this interpretation is not very sporting. But perhaps BMW's development head, Klaus Draeger is right: "The buyers of a i3 not want any cereal-car," he says, "who also want driving pleasure." Probably a BMW or mini-cab customer a scooter with 60 HP would simply not buy.
No comments:
Post a Comment