Tokyo motor show 2013: BMW Concept Active Tourer Outdoor

The BMW Concept Active Tourer Outdoor, shown today at the Tokyo motor show, is the latest glimpse into BMW’s front-wheel-drive future.

The concept will evolve into the BMW 1-series GT and will be one of more than 20 front-drive models sold under the BMW and Mini brands.

BMW’s latest concept highlights what BMW describes as a “fresh route to combining sporting aesthetics and style with… compact dimensions and functionality”. 

The manufacturer claims “generous” interior space and a variable rear compartment that's designed to offer everyday usability and space for outdoor sports equipment. The Concept Active Tourer Outdoor has a large tailgate with a low lip and a wide aperture.

The boot also houses a bicycle carrier which folds away when not in use. The interior features a centre console that ‘floats’ between the front seats and is claimed to improve front legroom. The upholstery is trimmed in durable fabric and is contrasted by a leather covering for the boot floor stowage compartment.

An ECO PRO mode reduces the energy used by the air-conditioning and other electrically operated ancillary features and displays driving tips to further improve efficiency. The Proactive Driving Assistant works with the navigation system to display the most fuel-efficient routes with the lowest traffic volumes.

The new car is a more rugged-looking version of the Concept Active Tourer, which premiered at the New York motor show in March. Its 2670mm wheelbase is 90mm shorter than the original model, but is fractionally longer, narrower and taller.

The BMW Concept Active Tourer Outdoor has been conceived as a plug-in hybrid which mates a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a “high-performance” electric motor and lithium-ion battery. Combined power is 188bhp, and BMW claims 0-62mph can be achieved in less than eight seconds. Top speed is 125mph.

The 1-series GT will be offered in both standard and long-wheelbase guises and will be based on the UKL1 platform which will underpin all future Minis as well as 12 different versions of 1- and 2-series-based BMW models. The platform allows the BMW Group to exploit economies of scale; it eventually plans to produce more than 900,000 UKL1-based cars per year.

The UKL1 platform, which is an acronym derived from Unter Klasse, meaning sub class, offers the ability to carry a range of transversely-mounted engines and will also have the option of all-wheel drive.

Read more 2013 Tokyo motor show news.