The Concept Active Tourer, which originally debuted at the Paris Motor Show last fall, provides a glimpse of a future compact BMW plug-in hybrid. The small three-cylinder engine sends its power to the front wheels, while the electric motor drives the rear wheels. BMW also estimates that it can drive up to 20 miles in electric mode, and the system will achieve almost 95 mpg.
Though BMW clearly spent a lot of time on the concept’s hybrid system, the car’s aesthetics didn’t end up taking take a backseat (no pun intended). The Tourer, with its sporty but elegant lines, was (in our opinion) the most exciting of the three reveals at BMW this morning. The Tourer’s side silhouette, which BMW describes as “wedge-like”, gives it an aerodynamic look, and inside, the roomy interior was hooked up with all kinds of nifty gadgets and gizmos.
Check out our photo gallery for more photos of the Tourer’s bells and whistles and stay tuned for more Inhabitat coverage of the 2013 New York Auto Show
