BMW's all-wheel drive system will currently be offered on two 1-Series hatchback models, the 120d xDrive and the sporty M135i xDrive.
Read more »
To answer the first question you are most likely to have about the Paris Motor Show-bound Active Tourer study, yes, it is intended for production - likely as a 1-Series model with the Gran Turismo moniker that is used by BMW on its more practical vehicles. One of its more direct rivals will be the Mercedes-Benz B-Class small MPV.
But that's not what makes the Active Tourer Concept really special, what does is its platform that will be shared with the next generation of Mini-branded cars and BMW's decision to break with tradition and enter the realm of front-wheel drive models.
Despite investing heavily on hybrid and EV technology, as is evident with the ActiveHybrid models and the new “i” sub-brand, BMW also believes that the internal combustion engine has potential for improvement and will continue to power the bulk of its existing and future models.
To that end, it is introducing a new lineup of TwinPower turbocharged engines in both gasoline and diesel forms, starting with the 1.5-liter three-cylinder units.
Read more »
The German magazine itself has issued a teaser of the upcoming issued but has darkened the car (see image below).
The vehicle pictured here is evidently a concept with the only fake feature we could find being the license plate – a common practice among car magazines in Europe to make readers think that the concept is a production model.
If real, the Active Sports Tourer Concept should be a thinly disguised version of the upcoming BMW 1-Series tall hatchback that may or may not sport the Gran Turismo nameplate when it enters production next year.
Read more »
At the core of the upgrade package is a comprehensive tune of the 1M Coupe's 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six.
The German firm's engineers raise the pulse of the force-fed powerplant with an elaborate kit that includes reprogrammed software, flow optimized downpipes, enlarged capacity for the boost cooling system and a lightweight custom exhaust system made from titanium that shaves 20kg (44 pounds) over the stock exhaust.
Read more »
