2012 BMW 1-Series ActiveE

BMW has announced a super-exclusive program offering its new 2012 ActiveE electric car, based on the BMW 1-Series compact luxury sedan. The ActiveE brings a true German driving dynamics, a 168-hp electric motor, a luxurious interior and a BMW-estimated 100-mile range.

Testing for Autoblog, Damon Lavrinc found driving the 1-Series ActiveE a
mostly positive experience. The big performance drawbacks: with a
4,001-lb. curb weight, the EV takes 9 seconds to accelerate from 0-60
and has a 90-mph top speed. The plus side is a car with perfect 50/50
weight distribution, well-calibrated electric steering and neutral
handling.

Lavrinc traveled 25 hard-charging “journalist” miles and found the car’s
battery to be about 33% depleted. During more-tame driving the stated
100-mile range seems entirely possible.

Only 700 ActiveE leases will be offered in the United States, and some
of those are spoken for by former MINI E lessees. Contact BMW quickly
(!) to reserve your lease at just $2,250 down and $499/month for 24
months.