BMW ActiveE

[jjlink]

I had the opportunity to test drive a BMW ActiveE today. It was nice, interestingly in normal drive mode the re-generation is like driving the 'i' in "B" mode. I also noticed the forward creep when you take the brake off and in drive at a stop is much less than any other car I have driven (it barley crawls forward). The back seat appeared to have less leg space than the 'i'. At faster speeds it made a wining much louder than both the Leaf and the 'i'. Of course it has much more front seat room that the 'i' (like the Leaf). The few things I dd not like were the loud wine, the lack of rear seat leg room, and the rear view mirror which is oddly shaped (cutting visibility).

 

[fjpod]

I suppose I could look it up, but what does that car sell for?

 

[fjpod]

ah, never mind...you can only lease it...for two years. I guess they want to be able to snatch them back and crush them.

 

[jjlink]

Yes lease only because its a test market vehicle not a production model. For example the batteries take up a large part of the trunk since its a conversion from a gas powered model.

 

[fjpod]

I'd rather have a Miev.

 

[JoeS]

We had an ActiveE at the Los Altos Hills Earth Day. 170hp motor and 32kWhr battery pack. What I question is the EPA rating for this thing - 102mpge combined. By contrast, the Leaf is 99 and our iMiEV is 112. I can't help thinking there is something fishy going on here, as the ActiveE I'm told weighs over 4000#.