BMW Concept Active Tourer shown

BMW has abandoned its illustrious tradition of longitudinally mounted engines and rear-wheel drive with this new Concept Active Tourer, a forerunner to the long-mooted range of front-drive entry-level BMWs.

The five-door hatchback, revealed at the Paris motor show, is a plug-in hybrid with four-wheel drive. A transversely mounted engine drives the front wheels – an acknowledgment that entry-level BMWs from the new small car line-up will come with front-wheel drive – and the rear wheels are powered by an electric motor.

The platform is known as UKL1 and will be used in two wheelbase lengths both for the next-generation Mini line-up and the new range of entry-level BMWs to join the 1-series line-up from late 2013. This range, designed to boost BMW’s annual sales volumes to two million by 2020, will include a new MPV previewed by the Concept Active Tourer to rival the Mercedes B-class and Volkswagen Golf Plus.

The Concept Active Tourer showcases BMW’s new 1.5-litre three-cylinder direct injection petrol engine that will be a staple of the small BMW and Mini line-ups. Codenamed B38, it will also be used in the i8 sports car where it is installed longitudinally. The twin-scroll turbocharged engine is from a new modular family that will eventually support three, four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel powerplants boasting up to 60 percent component commonality for more flexible production than the current generation engines.

In the concept, the engine is supported by an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the flooor and drive is channeled to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Combined power is put at 188bhp. In all-electric mode, the concept is rear-drive.

BMW claims 0-100kph in “less than 8.0sec”, a top speed “around 193kph” along with combined a CO2 rating of “under 60g/km” and electric only range of up to 29km. No weight figures have been announced.

The UKL1 platform is engineered for both front- and all-wheel drive layouts. UKL1 is derived from the German words ‘unter klasse’, meaning sub class or entry level.

The switch to front-wheel drive is an about turn for BMW, which has always said longitudinal engine layouts provide better weight distribution and a more dynamic drive. It also makes a mockery of some previous BMW advertising campaigns, but the about turn is driven by the need to reduce production costs and provide competitive packaging for a new generation of small cars.

The underpinnings make the handsome Concept Active Tourer an uncharacteristically proportioned BMW. It has a short bonnet, high roof line and angle tailgate, but dressed in a contemporary skin that insiders hint won’t change too much for production. Concept car features include 20inch alloys, but 16inch wheels are tipped to be offered as standard.

Although likely be badged as the 1-series GT in production trim, the new car owes little to the look of the latest 1-series hatchback. Instead, the Concept Active Tourer uses details that align it more with the 5-series GT – a signal that BMW is attempting to provide its new GT models with a family look in a move similar to its more rugged X models.

At 4353mm in length, 1834mm in width and 1560mm in height, the five-seat Concept Active Tourer is 6mm shorter, 49mm wider and 5mm taller than the second-generation Mercedes B-class. Its 2760mm wheelbase is 30mm shorter than the B-class’s.

As with the exterior, the interior design differs from that of BMW’s more traditional rear wheel drive models, aiming to take full advantage of the packaging improvements offered by its transverse engine layout. While the concept car uses an opulent mix of materials, expect the production to boast a level of perceived quality in line with 1-series.

The front seats are raised to a height comparable to that of the BMW X1.  The rear seat folds to extend boot space in 40:20:40 split, while a table can be erected on the rear of the front seat backs to extend the concept car’s practicality.

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