BMW has published the first official details about the new Concept Active Tourer Outdoors ahead of its scheduled debut at the OutDoor 2013 trade show that opens its doors today in Friedrichshafen, Germany.  The introduction marks BMW’s first participation in the event.

As predicted, the concept is an evolution of the family-friendly Concept Active Tourer that was introduced at last year’s Paris Motor Show.  Stretching 4.34 m long, 1.82 m wide and 1.55 m tall, the car turns heads thanks to a striking exterior color called Gold Race Orange and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the futuristic cockpit is nearly identical to the one in the Concept Active Tourer that was shown in Paris.  BMW’s ConnectedDrive infotainment system is accessed via an eight-inch color touch screen that protrudes from the top of the dash, and the driver benefits from a heads-up display.

The concept packs an innovative integrated carrier system designed to hold up to two bikes.  Neatly tucked away in the side of the trunk area, it extends out to keeps bikes out of adverse weather and helps prevent theft and damage.

The Concept Active Tourer is powered by a 190-horsepower plug-in hybrid drivetrain that consists of a new 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline-burning engine mounted transversally and an electric motor linked to a lithium-ion battery pack.  Rated at 223 kmpg in a mixed European cycle, the drivetrain enables the car to drive on electricity alone for 30.50 km and emit less than 60 grams of CO2 per kilometer when using both power sources.  The sprint from zero to 100 kmph takes 8 seconds, and top speed is reached at 201 kmph.

The Concept Active Tourer Outdoors is not just a wild, one-off concept with no future: The people-mover will be BMW’s first front-wheel drive model when it lands in showrooms under the moniker 1-Series GT, and the plug-in hybrid setup accurately previews the drivetrain that will power the upcoming i8 supercar.