Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 1 Series ActiveE

All-electric version of 1 Series Coupe previews the powertrain that will be fitted to the BMW i3

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your BMW 1 Series
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The ActiveE isn’t without its limitations - it’s heavy, there’s compromised boot space and the range is capped at 100 miles between charges. But as electric cars go, this is the best we’ve driven so far. The electric motor is smooth and punchy, the engaging rear-wheel drive handling of the petrol car remains intact and the cabin has all the luxuries BMW owners expect. Lessons learned here will be filtered into the production i3 in two years time, and the signs are good. With its carbon-fibre and aluminium construction – the i3 should be even more efficient and dynamic to drive.  

Advertisement - Article continues below

The ActiveE is BMW’s second attempt at an electric car, and it picks up where the MINI E left off. Although it won’t go on sale in showrooms, over 1,000 examples will be trialled this year in the USA, Europe and China – 160 of which will be used at the London Olympics. And the data gathered will be fed back into the production version of the electric i3 supermini, due in 2013.

Unlike the two-seater MINI E, the ActiveE has just as much interior space as the standard 1 Series Coupe – the only compromise being a boot size reduced from 370 to 200-litres. The lithium-ion batteries are stuffed where the engine, gearbox and fuel tank would normally be.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

1 Series

2024 BMW

1 Series

18,245 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £22,900
View 1 Series
1 Series

2024 BMW

1 Series

23,418 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £19,807
View 1 Series
1 Series

2021 BMW

1 Series

59,621 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £17,416
View 1 Series
1 Series

2021 BMW

1 Series

48,559 milesAutomaticDiesel1.5L

Cash £15,000
View 1 Series

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the BMW 1 Series

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69339","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

Like all electric cars, the maximum 250Nm of torque is delivered right from a standstill, but here a new synchronous motor refines the delivery so that maximum torque is maintained for much longer. The result is strong acceleration all the way to the 90mph limit, although the lack of engine roar and gearchanges makes it feel more pedestrian than the figures suggest.

Lift off the throttle and the motor reverses to become a generator, feeding energy back into the batteries, which can boost the range by up to 20 per cent.  The effect is more severe than in the Nissan LEAF and makes for jerky progress to begin with. Once you’re used to it though you rarely use the brake pedal, instead letting the braking effect bring the car to a stop.

The claimed range, after an overnight charge from a standard UK socket, is 100 miles. Start to explore the ActiveE’s performance though and that drops off fast, which is a shame because like the standard 1 Series, it’s great fun to drive. You can sense the extra 300kg when you change direction, but all that weight is balanced 50:50 front and rear, and mounted low in the chassis so it feels incredibly planted in the corners.

Besides a bonnet scoop, no exhausts, blue stitching on the seats and a revised instrument cluster, that displays remaining charge and the instantaneous energy being used, the ActiveE demands few compromises from the driver. It’s convincing proof that electric cars do have a place in the premium market.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

BMW 1 Series

BMW 1 Series

RRP £35,865Used from £8,795
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £15,800
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,763 off RRP*Used from £11,595
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £14,499
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month
MG ZS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month

The MG ZS is an easy car to like and live with. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 July
News
3 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025