Friday 5th November 2010

BMW Hybrid Supercar Confirmed

Latest Efficient Dynamics prototype revealed, with the promise of production

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BMW has confirmed rumours that its awesome Vision EfficientDynamics concept will indeed make production. First shown at the Frankfurt international motor show in 2009, the four-seater sports car will be powered by BMW ActiveHybrid technology - and looks like proving the future might just be fun after all.

"With its wide range of completely or virtually production-ready components, this concept study met with an overwhelming response and there was a widespread desire to put the car on the road. The realisation of this desire is moving considerably closer," says a company statement today.

The announcement comes as BMW presents this fully road-ready 'technology showcase vehicle'. It's based closely on the Frankfurt concept study, and some lucky hacks are apparently about to get their first opportunity to find out what it's like to drive. (Our invite must have got lost in the post...)

Since its world premiere, the eye-catching and advanced machine has received several awards both for its futuristic design and its ground-breaking engine technology. Just 1.24 metres high, the 2+2-seater features wing doors to facilitate entry to both rows of seats, while extensive aerodynamic measures keep the drag coefficient down to 0.22.

The combination of a 3-cylinder turbo diesel with a hybrid synchronous motor at the front axle and a full-hybrid engine at the rear axle enables an overall system output of 328 bhp. This is sufficient to give performance figures that include a 4.8 second 0-62mph time, and an average fuel consumption figure of 75.1 mpg. CO2 is emitted at the rate of 99 grams per kilometre.

The Vision EfficientDynamics is also conceived as a so-called plug-in hybrid. The lithium-polymer rechargeable battery is housed centrally in a longitudinal chassis element and can be fully charged at a conventional power socket within two and half hours. The use of electrical energy alone permits zero-emissions motoring with a range of some 50 kilometres, while a 24-litre diesel tank extends the total action radius of the vehicle to up to 700 kilometres, they say.

By developing the machine for for serial production, BMW reckons to be underscoring its position as a global leader in the production of sporty vehicles with exemplary efficiency, and we'd be hard pressed to disagree.

That said, the car isn't likely to reach final production guise for around 3 years, and may thus look quite different to the shape we see today. It's equally likely that this prototype's diesel engine could be replaced with a high performance petrol motor, according to various reports. The price is yet to be confirmed, obviously, but we expect it to be well in excess of £100k as BMW's performance 'halo' model.

Either way, we reckon today is a good news day for performance enthusiasts!

[derek29]

Ye, but, how much ?

[Luca Brasi]

God, is this the future of motoring?

[timewatch]

Nice wallpaper!!!

TW>>>

[Kong]

Wooo lets spend £100,000+ on a car to be economical, just put the twin turbo V8 in the back and be done with it.

Looks great though, from what i can make out!

[ManOpener]

I wish they'd build a "normal" version of it, with an M-tweaked ITB'd 6l V12 sans turbos from the 7-series in it.
650bhp V12 howl and those looks...

[lenandsons]

So when can I put a deposit down? First hybrid that I would consider going out to buy, cannot believe I just said that.

[soad]

Looks a bit like M6 (or 6 series) in the first photo, from some angles.

Edited by soad on Friday 5th November 12:36

[Rugbyman]

Hasnt this all been done by Porsche a while ago ...... ?

Yawn ....Zzzzzz

[ibisti]

Is it just me or does the back end look like the face of a transformer?

[TimmmyT]

ibisti said:

Is it just me or does the back end look like the face of a transformer?

Yeah it's the new Ecobot, they fight using low energy lasers that partially obscure their opponents vision whilst the Decepticons cut them in half with a giant fking energy sapping sword. Kind of what I would like to see happening to this whole hybrid crap!

And yes I realise I know too much about Transformers!

[vz-r_dave]

TimmmyT said:

ibisti said:

Is it just me or does the back end look like the face of a transformer?

Yeah it's the new Ecobot, they fight using low energy lasers that partially obscure their opponents vision whilst the Decepticons cut them in half with a giant fking energy sapping sword. Kind of what I would like to see happening to this whole hybrid crap!

And yes I realise I know too much about Transformers!

Its like Whale wars but with transformers ;-)

I think the car looks rubbish, it will sound rubbish, it (the oil burner) will rev to fk all, will decrease the size of one mans crown jewels. A sign of the times :-(. Our children are not going to know what a petrol engine is let alone a V12.

Start buying your V12 classics whilst you can because in 50 years time they are going to be worth a hell of a lot of money.

Edited by vz-r_dave on Friday 5th November 13:06

[team will]

3 cylinder diesel in a car that looks like that.....really??????

could chip it I suppose!

Edited by team will on Friday 5th November 13:07

Edited by team will on Friday 5th November 13:07

[dvance]

It begs for a huge yank engine transplant!

[anonymous-user]

Having "lost the Bangle" and imo spent a few years circumnavigating the styling doldrums, i think BMW even thinking about making a car that looks like that is to be applauded!! Just because it's an EcoSpaz's new wheels, doesn't mean that it has to look like it was made out of cornflake boxes by a 3yo ;-)

[j_s14a]

Looks like a 300zx from the side

[Bill]

It looks good, and the performance claims sound good (if a tad optimistic...) but FFS BMW ditch your PR people: "total action radius" What is wrong with "range"?

[thinfourth2]

Sayes the word hybrid on it so it MUST be st

[Curry Burns]

some german humour there - 'dontblogaboutthis.com'

[Harry Monk]

Wow. The future looks awesome. Sign me up.

[TimS2000]

Butt-ugly, hybrid, diesel, over £100k - I'll pass thanks.
p.s. Anyone who can a £100k car isn't going to be that worried about fuel economy...