BMW has moved another step closer to its first plug-in production car that having 160km range, rear-wheel drive, no fuel, no emissions. Which meet the criteria to be BMW's first all-electric car.

After Mini E revealed, the BMW ActiveE follows as part of BMW's 'Project i' zero-emissions program. It's based on a 1-Series Coupe but ditches the internal combustion engine and fuel tank for a twin battery pack and electric motor capable of powering the car for up to 160km.

There are two lithium-ion battery packs fitted, one is positioned under the bonnet and the other under the car. The electric motor fitted on the boot and almost halves the entire boot space, to 200 litres. The positioning of the battery packs is said to further aid the car's handling by lowering the centre of gravity and contributing to a near-50/50 weight balance.

The ActiveE also weighs about 400kg more than a regular 1-Series Coupe, though BMW claims the car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in less than 9 seconds and reach an electronically governed top speed of 145km/h.

BMW says its electric car's recharging time can be as fast as 3 hours using a fast-charging system by using conventional electrical sockets.

BMW has incorporated the electric motor into the rear axle to ensure the ActiveE adheres to the company's preference for rear-wheel drive. The motor generates 125kW of power, as well as an instantaneous 200Nm of torque.

Special alloy wheels (designed to reduce drag), the absence of exhaust pipes at the rear, and electrical-circuit graphics ensure the ActiveE concept won't be confused with a regular 1-Series Coupe.

The Concept ActiveE will debut at January's Detroit motor show, and join the Mini E in real-world field trials, leased to both private and fleet customers for daily use.

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ActiveE's dash features instruments specific to the electric-drive system as below:-