Hybrid turbodiesel will top 155mph
BMW will be showing off its latest sports car concept at the Frankfurt motor show - it's got a three cylinder turbodiesel engine and twin electric motors that together produce an output of 356hp, albeit in short bursts.
The engine is effectively one bank of the turbodiesel already in use in the 335d, and in this configuration it is rated at 163bhp. Performance is uprated with the addition of an electric motor between the engine and the six speed gearbox (driving the rear wheels), and another more powerful electric motor that drives the front axle only.
The engine is mounted at the rear, and a 10.8kWh lithium polymer battery pack runs the length of the centre tunnel. When plugged into a domestic mains supply, the battery can be charged in 2.5 hours, says BMW.
Radical looks match the technology
The concept will apparently run for 31 miles on electricity alone, and you can get 400 miles out of the 6.6 gallon diesel tank.
Top speed is 155mph, and 0-62mph comes in at 4.8secs while fuel consumption of over 60mpg also achievable, says BMW.
With an intriguing new design to match its technology, you can be sure we - and the rest of the world - will be taking a much closer look at this new machine at the Frankfurt show.