Thursday 13th August 2009

BMW Takes Global Honours For Hybrid HP

World-beating 480hp hybrid X6 to make its debut at Frankfurt

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World's most powerful hybrid from BMW

BMW will take the wraps off the latest X6 derivative at the Frankfurt motorshow next month - a monster hybrid-powered machine that with 480hp and 575lb ft of torque is the most powerful hybrid in the world.

We're not quite sure what the marketing angle is, although we're guessing the X6 ActiveHybrid was not conceived as a sop to the German green lobby. More like a two-fingered salute in fact, but maybe that's why we like it!

Drivers of the X6 ActiveHybrid will feel the benefit of a twin-turbo 4.4-litre petrol V8, and a nickel-hydride hybrid battery pack with twin electric motors. The effect is to rocket the two-and-a-half ton leviathan to 62mph in 5.6secs, while returning an official combined fuel economy figure of 28.5mpg.

There's also an ActiveHybrid 7-series on the way at Frankfurt, although this one only gets a single electric motor to supplement the V8. With 459bhp and 561lb ft the Bimmer saloon is faster and more efficient, with a 4.9sec 0-62mph time, and 29.1mpg combined.

Neither model will be available to buy in the UK, as the cost of engineering right hand drive is too high says BMW.

 

[Eviltad]

What would the congestion charge be on this?

[bosshog]

X6 - the most pointless car in the world.

[Stu_00]

Ugly but very popular, strange world we live in !

[Altrezia]

Ugly car, but I do like the idea of a twin turbo v8 with 28mpg.

[E21_Ross]

bosshog said:

X6 - the most pointless car in the world.

how so? if you want a comfy 4 seater with a high driving position which is supposedly good to drive then it has quite a big fair point? i'd still take a range rover but still...

[KimZ]

Altrezia said:

Ugly car, but I do like the idea of a twin turbo v8 with 28mpg.

+1!

[scubadude]

Saw first one on the road the other week, pictures just don't give any impression how BIG this thing is, it's taller than most people carriers! Like driving behind a doubledecker bus...

I think all these Hybrids are abit lame, the electric motors used are never more than 1/5-1/4 of the IC output, surely for it to be truly hybrid you need 50:50 (or thereabouts) output?

Having said that- I do like a good cutaway diagram! :-)

[mackie1]

It looks like the hybrid bits are built into the gearbox meaning that this tech could easily be adapted into cars with more frugal engines. a 330h maybe that does 40+mpg and has >300bhp.

[Nickellarse]

Awesome. What a car. When can I place an order....

Oh, unless I want a pointless left hooker, I can't.

Anybody willing to bet that they will produce a RHD? Or does anybody know the inside info...

[m3sye]

Got to say have always liked the X6

[130R]

Eviltad said:

What would the congestion charge be on this?

Zero

[shoestring7]

Anyone else dissapointed that all of BMW's resources, expertise and money are not aimed at producing a 1000kg vehicle that seats 4, is as good a drive as my old (proper) M3, has ~200+bhp, and does 60mpg?

Shirley that's got to be worth celebrating more than a 2500kg, 500bhp, 'hybrid'?

SS7

Edited by shoestring7 on Thursday 13th August 14:33

[kambites]

Interesting technology... 29mpg is really rather impressive given the weight and the performance. Wouldn't want an X6, but I could see it having applications in a real car in the future.

[m3sye]

What would a car like this sound like? are Hybrids just silent no matter what engine is in them??

[James Wetherall]

shoestring7 said:

Anyone else dissapointed that all of BMW's resources, expertise and money are not aimed at producing a 1000kg vehicle that seats 4, is as good a drive as my old (proper) M3, has ~200+bhp, and does 60mpg?

Shirley that's got to be worth celebrating more than a 2500kg, 500bhp, 'hybrid'?

SS7

Edited by shoestring7 on Thursday 13th August 14:33

My thoughts exactly.

[ganser]

Having said that- I do like a good cutaway diagram! :-)
[/quote]

[Tony*T3]

m3sye said:

What would a car like this sound like? are Hybrids just silent no matter what engine is in them??

How could it be silent with a V8 engine in it? Even the Prius makes an engine like noise when tis running, because it uses an engine!!

Altough I think the new model Prius can do 1.5 miles on battery power alone.....

[leon9191]

James Wetherall said:

shoestring7 said:

Anyone else dissapointed that all of BMW's resources, expertise and money are not aimed at producing a 1000kg vehicle that seats 4, is as good a drive as my old (proper) M3, has ~200+bhp, and does 60mpg?

Shirley that's got to be worth celebrating more than a 2500kg, 500bhp, 'hybrid'?

SS7

Edited by shoestring7 on Thursday 13th August 14:33

My thoughts exactly.

beaten to the punch, I would agree with you sirs.

[Fidgits]

brilliant!

a 4.4 V8 SUV, but its a hybrid, so shut up lentily!

[okgo]

shoestring7 said:

Anyone else dissapointed that all of BMW's resources, expertise and money are not aimed at producing a 1000kg vehicle that seats 4, is as good a drive as my old (proper) M3, has ~200+bhp, and does 60mpg?

Shirley that's got to be worth celebrating more than a 2500kg, 500bhp, 'hybrid'?

SS7

Edited by shoestring7 on Thursday 13th August 14:33

That'd sell like a hybrid 4x4 wouldn't it

They're a business at the end of the day!