Tuesday 2nd March 2010

Geneva: BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid

BMW boosts its turbocharged straight six with electric power

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BMW seems to be thumbing its nose at its premium rivals quite a lot at the moment - and its attitude at the Geneva motor show press conference is no exception.

Today, BMW's top man, Dr Norbert Reithofer proudly pointed out that BMW's range-average CO2 output for its cars is 150g/km. "No other premium manufacturer can beat that performance," he said. "Our figures are lower, in fact, than those of many manufacturers of mainly small cars - even though our cars are sportier and have much more powerful engines." So there. Na-na-na-naa-nah. He ought to have added. But didn't.

BMW isn't resting on its green laurels, however, as it revealed its latest eco-warrior - a hybrid BMW 5-series. It's called the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid and is the first time BMW has combined its ActiveHybrid technology with six-cylinder petrol power - the ActiveHybrid 7 and ActiveHybrid X6 are already in production, but use V8 petrol motors.

The Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid gets the latest BMW twin-scroll turbo, TwinPower 3.0-litre straight six with a 54bhp electric motor. Assuming the petrol motor makes the same 302bhp as it does in the 535i (BMW isn't yet saying) that should make the 5 Series ActiveHybrid a pretty feisty performer.

The hybrid 5 can run on solely electric power in town, and a stop-start function for the petrol engine further enhances the car's economy - which is said to be 'more than 10 per cent better' than its petrol sibling.

[pSyCoSiS]

I think BMW are doing it with their Hybrid technology at the moment, easily out-shining all other manufacturers.

The figures speak for themselves.

[Witchfinder]

'more than 10 per cent better'

Isn't that pretty poor, considering the cost and weight of all the battery, motors, electronics and other gubbins? The hydrogen tech in that 370Z Hydro is surely a more important innovation (assuming it works!).