Keep an eye out for 700 units of the electrified variant of BMW's 1 Series Coupé, the Active E.
Residents of select American cities will get the chance to drive the 1 Series Coupé Active E for a two-year period. The lease price is set at $499/month with a down payment of $2,250, and the lucky lessees will have to install a charging station at home.
In exchange, the 1 Series Coupé Active E drivers will get a car powered by a synchronous electric motor punching out 168 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque with a range of 160 kilometres.
The 1 Series Coupé Active E also features a built-in charger that reduces charging times compared to other EVs. BMW says a full charge will only take five or six hours to complete.
BMW's leasing strategy will allow them to gather vital information to be used to perfect the i3 and i8 before they’re launched. Slated for 2013, the i3 will use a powertrain similar to that of the Active E.
