After BMW revealed the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, they are also preparing a production version X5 Hybrid for 2010. The first BMW model to benefit from the Active Hybrid system will be the 7-Series (set to be revealed in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show) followed by the X6.

The first prototypes have already been caught testing in the California. The difference between the concept revealed in the 2008 and the prototypes caught by the spy photographers is its engine. If the concept combined a diesel engine with an electric motor, the prototype was powered by a gasoline engine. But even so, BMW will also produce a diesel-hybrid powertrain, we'll just wait to wait longer to finally see it.

The concept revealed in 2008 features the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept with a twin-turbo, 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel that’s mated to a hybrid motor. The car is also equipped with BMW’s regenerative braking system and photovoltaic solar panels mounted to the roof. Thanks to the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept, the concept returns fuel economy in the region of 43.5mpg and CO2 emissions of just 172g/km.

bmw-x5-hybrid

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: bmw-x5-hybrid

2010 BMW X5 Hybrid

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 BMW X5 Hybrid
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

BMW’s concept uses highly efficient lithium-ion batteries in the boot area to store the power generated. These high-storage-capacity batteries enable optimum use of Brake Energy Regeneration. In addition, they create possibilities to power the air conditioning, electric coolant pump and the electric power steering system. For these functions, a 120 volt vehicle power system was designed and runs in parallel with the conventional 12 volt system.

The power harnessed by the batteries is also supplemented by roof mounted photovoltaic solar panels, measuring 1.0 metre square. The energy generated can either be used immediately or stored for later use. Importantly, the power created in this zero- CO2 way can be used to pre-heat the diesel fuel. This innovative and technologically advanced engine is directly mated to a new eight- speed automatic transmission.

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BMW hybrid technology


BMW started to develop hybrid drive many years ago, long before the foundation of the Global Hybrid Cooperation. Indeed, BMW tested the electric drivetrain as early as in the late 1980s, for example in the BMW E1. In the meantime the BMW Group has presented several hybrid vehicle concepts, starting with a hybrid car in 1995 based on the BMW 518i. In particular, the outstanding potential of this drive technology has been proven in the BMW X5 EfficientDynamics presented in 2003 and the BMW Concept X3 EfficientDynamics shown to the world in 2005.

BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid


In 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW presented the Concept X6 ActiveHybrid - the world’s first Sports Activity Coupé to feature a special concept of hybrid drive. BMW ActiveHybrid for the first time combines the combustion engine and two high-performance electric motors to allow use of the greater efficiency of hybrid technology over a much larger speed range than with a conventional hybrid vehicle.

The innovative power transmission featured by BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid combines two compact, high-performance electric motors with a transmission using fixed transmission ratios. These drive systems are connected to one another by three planetary gearsets allowing a power split covering the drive forces of the combustion engine and the electric motors in
two transmission ranges and thus ensuring a level of variability quite impossible on a conventional hybrid drivetrain thanks to the combination of the two drive sources able to provide optimum power and maximum efficiency under all driving conditions and power requirements from the driver.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept


At the Geneva Motor Show BMW revealed the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, a hybrid-diesel version of the X5 SUV.The 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics uses BMW’s Variable Twin Turbo concept, third-generation common-rail injection and an all aluminium crankcase to deliver 204hp and 400Nm of torque between 2,000 and 2,250rpm. The engine is supplemented by a mild hybrid concept that delivers a further 20hp and 210Nm of torque under acceleration.

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics delivers 43.5mpg on the combined cycle and just 172g/km of CO2 emissions. With its twin-turbocharged two-litre diesel engine delivering more than 100hp per litre, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept completes the sprint from zero to 62mph in just 8.9 seconds, a time faster than most current production competitors.

BMW Concept 7-Series ActiveHybrid


After the Geneva Show, BMW made a sensation at the Paris Motor Show where they revealed the Concept 7-Series ActiveHybrid. The concept combines an eight-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor developing 20 hp and maximum torque of 155 lb-ft as a mild hybrid concept.

Like all power units in BMW production cars, the combustion engine featured in the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid has been developed in the context of BMW Effi cientDynamics. In the BMW 750i this all-aluminium power unit offers all the qualities typical of an eight-cylinder in incomparably sporting and, at the same time, comfortable style, combining power and traction from low engine speeds with impressive pulling force throughout a wide range of engine revs.

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Competitors

 

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid


Porsche revealed a first Cayenne Hybrid prototype in 2007 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. A productionv ersion is expected to be unveiled in 2010. It will be powered by an Audi-sourced 3.0 Liter V6 power plant, with the gas engine making 333 HP and 324 lb-ft of torque and the electric motor contributing another 52 HP and 221 lb-ft of torque to get the Cayenne moving in a more environmentally friendly manner.

Just because the Cayenne is a hybrid doesn’t mean that it is a slouch. The gas/electric power train combination allows the Porsche hybrid to sprint from the 0 to 60 MPH in only 6.8 seconds while averaging about 32 MPG when cruising on the highway, that is an entire 10 MPG better than the traditional V6 powered SUV from Porsche.

Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

Volkswagen revealed the first Touareg hybrid prototype at the beginning of 2009, announcing that the production version will follow in 2010. According to the company the production version will have a fuel consumption of 9,0 liters/100 km and a CO2 emission of 210 g/km.

Volkswagen will be implementing a parallel hybrid drive on the future Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid. This version of the SUV will have a high-performance, full-time all-wheel drive too. The V6 engine develops 328 hp at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 440 NM at 3000 rpm.

V6 TSI plus E-motor drives fuel consumption below 9.0 liters The E-motor integrated between the V6 TSI and the 8-speed automatic transmission adds power of 50hp and up to 300 Newton-meters torque.

Audi Q7 Hybrid

A first Q7 hybrid, in a concept version was revealed in 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Shortly after the company announced it will also come as a production version, but at the beginning of 2009 the car was put on "indefinite hold". But company insiders revealed there will be indeed a production version Q7 hybrid, but it will be built in limited numbers.

The Audi Q7 hybrid concept study is equipped with a 4.2-litre FSI V8 drive unit developing 350 bhp and 440 Nm of torque. An electric motor that has also been integrated into the driveline adds up to an extra 200 Nm of torque. The performance figures promised by the Audi Q7 hybrid give it sports car status: a mere 6.8 seconds are required to reach 100 km/h from standstill. In-gear pulling power is even more electrifying, with the SUV accelerating from 80 up to 120 km/h in 5th gear in 7 seconds flat.