BMW Concept ActiveE Electric Car

2009 BMW Concept ActiveE

A little more than a year ago, the all-electric Mini E stole the limelight at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. Now, BMW has released details of its next all-electric concept car, which will formally debut at next month's Detroit Auto Show.

The BMW Concept ActiveE electric car is based on the BMW 1-Series Coupe, and it's a full four-seater. That contrasts with the Mini E, whose back-seat space was largely taken up by the large lithium-ion battery pack.

In fact, says BMW, the passenger compartment is identical to that of a liquid-fueled 1-Series Coupe, with no changes in the head, leg, and shoulder space dimensions. The Concept ActiveE adds a few unique styling touches to what is recognizably a 1-Series Coupe, with a closed rear apron (no exhaust pipe!), aerodynamic alloy wheels, and blue accents including a blue ring in the tire sidewall.