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"  Unlike the Mini E, the ActiveE uses a rear-wheel-drive platform with a low center of gravity, which the manufacturer says has &amp;quot;an axle load distribution that is typical of a BMW.&amp;quot; But at least on paper, the ActiveE doesn&amp;#039;t have quite the snap of the Mini E; its curb weight is approximately 3900 pounds, 700 pounds porkier than the Mini E, while horsepower slides from 204 to 170. But don&amp;#039;t judge this car on its spec sheet alone. BMW may have taken one step back (the lower power-to-weight ratio), but consider the ActiveE&amp;#039;s two steps forward (its tech advances). The ActiveE has nearly 50/50 (front/rear) weight distribution, which should appease handling enthusiasts. The more compact, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack arranges cells grouped into modules, and they&amp;#039;re spread out to where the car&amp;#039;s internal combustion engine and fuel tank traditionally sit. A synchronous electric motor is integrated into the rear axle. This packaging allows for four full-size seats and a luggage compartment with 7 cubic feet of volume--more than the 1 Series convertible offers when the top is down. The battery pack was developed jointly between BMW and SB LiMotive--a joint venture between Bosch and Samsung SDI--and is able to optimize performance regardless of exterior temperature. As with the Mini E, range is expected to be around 100 miles. But like the rapidly approaching Nissan Leaf, the ActiveE uses technology that will enable the owner&amp;#039;s cellphone to remotely activate heating and air conditioning functions, to indicate the charge status of the battery, and to help locate public charging stations. The ActiveE&amp;#039;s battery can also be charged using a special wall box. On the European grid, a high-current 50-amp outlet can fill the battery in as little as 3 hours. A high-current, 32-amp 220-volt North American residential wall box enables a full charge in about 4.5 hours. Regenerative braking features prominently in the ActiveE&amp;#039;s driving dynamics. BMW says that 75 percent of braking maneuvers in urban settings won&amp;#039;t require the use of the brake pedal--just a lift of the foot off the gas. If the brake pedal is applied, traditional hydraulics trigger front and rear brakes, and under emergency braking situations, Dynamic Stability Control steps in to manage brake and motor distribution.  The Mini E drew complaints from its overly aggressive deceleration during throttle release, so we&amp;#039;re curious to see if the effect has been lessened in the ActiveE. But the ActiveE&amp;#039;s automatic triggering of the brake light when the throttle is released makes us suspect that the dynamics are similar.  style=&amp;quot;background-color:#333; color:#ccc;&amp;quot;&amp;amp;gt; BMW Concept ActiveE Photo Gallery      + CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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