BMW Active Tourer Concept

The Active Tourer Concept as well as the production vehicle it will spawn next year are based on the BMW Group's UKL1 platform that will be available in two lengths.

The tall-five door hatchback has an exterior length of 4,350mm (171.2-inches), a width of 1,834mm (72.2-inches) and a total height of 1,560mm (61.4-inches), while it rides on a relatively long wheelbase of 2,670mm (105.2-inches).

For reference, the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class measures 4,359mm long, 1,786mm wide and 1,557mm tall.

According to BMW, the study is geared towards "customers of the premium segment who appreciate a high level of comfort, a raised seating position and a generous amount of space," adding that it will also be attractive to families "who attach importance to functionality and versatility as well as lifestyle and athletic flair."

The design of the Concept Active Tourer is in line with BMW's newest creations, namely the 1-Series, 3-Series and 5-Series models.

While the exterior won't change much (think of less fancy trim and 16- instead of 20-inch wheels), the design of the five-seat interior will evidently be toned down several notches when the car enters production within the next year.

Some notable features include the large panoramic glass roof, the versatile luggage compartment thanks to the variable rear backrests, which can be split 40/20/40, and a clip-on track system that allows folding tables to be easily added to the back of the front seats.

Under the hood, the concept sports a plug-in hybrid drivetrain comprising BMW's newly released 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels, and a synchronous electric motor that acts on the rear axle, and which if necessary, can power the car on its own.

BMW says the total system output is in excess of 188hp (190PS), which is good enough for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of under eight seconds and a top speed of around 200km/h (124mph).

It returns an average fuel consumption of less than 2.5lt/100km (94mpg US or 112.9mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of less than 60g/km. Keep in mind the aforementioned consumption figure is with the use of the battery that can power the car by itself for more than 30 kilometers (19 miles).

It remains to be seen if the production 1-Series GT will be offered with hybrid / plug-in hybrid drivetrains, but it is certain that BMW's new 1.5-liter turbochaharged petrol and diesel engines will be on the list.

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2014 BMW M235i Coupe

M Performance is BMW's new sub-brand that sits between the regular models and the thoroughbred M sports cars – something like Audi's S and RS range.

Citing inside sources, the publication claims that BMW will present a coupe version of the second-generation 1-Series renamed as the 2-Series at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show with an M Performance variant to follow a few months later at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

Keep in mind, however, that BMW has not officially confirmed the change of names for the coupe and convertible models of the 1-Series and 3-Series lineups to 2-Series and 4-Series respectively.

Regardless of what BMW will call the coupe model, the magazine says the M235i will use the same N55 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six delivering 316hp (320PS) at 5,800rpm and 450Nm (332 lb-ft) from 1,300 to 4,500rpm as the M135i hatchback coupled to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or an 8-speed automatic.

It is possible that like the M135i, the M235i will also be offered with all-wheel drive as an option.

What Autoweek forgets to mention in its article though is that an M Performance version of the current 1-Series Coupe has already come to the States under the guise of the 135is Coupe and Concertible, both of which are powered by the M135i's N55 3.0-liter turbo engine, rated at 320hp.

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BMW M135i Concept

Despite the fact that the Bavarian company is calling it a concept, it's not hard to see that the M135i is essentially ready to enter production, which it will within the next year.

Aside from previewing the next member of BMW's new M Performance range, the M135i also gives us our first look at the three-door version of the latest 1-Series range, which is currently available only in five-door form.

BMW's answer to the Audi RS3 is the first M Performance car with a gasoline and not a diesel engine. Under the hood lies a 3.0-liter Twin Power Turbo straight-six that BMW says delivers "more than 300 HP". Our sources state that it will produce 320-horsepower in production trim.

Other upgrades include a reworked suspension, larger brakes and 18-inch M light alloys with a double spoke design.

The concept model that will be on display in Geneva sports an aero kit comprising a new front bumper with large air intakes, a different rear bumper with a diffuser and double tailpipes in a dark chrome finish, while the sides of the body and the lower end of the tailgate are adorned by decals in the distinctive M Division blue and red colors.

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