PARIS MOTOR SHOW: BMW's front-drive CAT

BMW has revealed it will turn its back on decades of rear-wheel drive models powered by longitudinally mounted engines by presenting the Concept Active Tourer (CAT).

Due to make its public premiere at the Paris Motor Show on September 27, the CAT is underpinned by a new compact front-drive platform (dubbed UKL1) which will form the basis of a new range of entry-level BMW models as well as the next-generation MINI line-up (from 2014).

Cleverly, the five-door CAT hatchback is being presented as an all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid. BMW’s new turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine (which again carries the BMW TwinPower Turbo moniker) is mounted transversely up front driving the front wheels. An electric motor drives the rears.

The strategy is tacit acknowledgment that BMW will offering a new range of front-wheel drive small cars. Exactly which BMW production models will drive their front wheels remains unknown, but the CAT is a clear indication of a direct BMW rival for Mercedes-Benz’s spacious B-Class compact in 2014.

BMW has scotched widespread rumours that UKL1 will also underpin the current 1 Series, ruling out a front-drive 1 Series range until at least the next generation due around 2019. That said the production-ready CAT peoplemover could hit showrooms wearing a 1 Series GT badge. Confused?

Whatever BMW models it underpins, UKL1 will be produced in two wheelbase lengths and is expected to play a pivotal role in BMW’s quest to drive annual sales to 2.0m vehicles by 2020.

BMW says the CAT is the first model in the premium compact segment to combine "comfort and space functionality with dynamic performance and style".

“Annual growth rates of up to five per cent are expected in the small car and compact segment of the premium class in the years to come,” it said.

In the CAT, BMW’s first three-cylinder engine is backed by an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the floor, with drive channeled to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW says the CAT’s eDrive system is similar to that found in the i8 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Although the CAT concept drives only its rear wheels in all-electric mode (for at least 30km), combined output is 140kW – enough for claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in less than eight seconds and a top speed of around 200km/h. BMW says the car consumes less than 2.5L/100km and emits less than 60g/km of CO2.

All this technology is packaged in a high-roofed five-door body that wears a number of unmistakable BMW design cues. It looks more like a 5 Series GT than the existing 1 Series hatch and represents a dramatic departure from the low-slung, long bonnet profile for which Bavarian brand is famous.

At 4353mm long, 1834mm wide and 1560mm high, CAT is 6mm shorter, 49mm wider and 5mm taller than the Mercedes B-class, and rides on a 30mm-longer (2760mm) wheelbase.

Expect the concept’s massive 20-inch wheels to be replaced by 16-inch items in the real world.

The five-seat interior will make use of the front-drive layout’s packaging advantages to offer more space than the rear-drive 1 Series hatch, and the height of the front seats is said to be comparable to that of the X1 crossover.

Apart from delivering a ‘command’ driving position and allowing the front seatbacks to house fold-out tables for rear seat passengers, the taller and more upright seating position frees up more rear legroom and, combined with a 40/20/40-split rear seatback, luggage space.