Some initial details and low-res photos of the upcoming hybrid versions of the 7-Series and X6 scheduled for public debut at the Frankfurt show this year have appeared on the internet. Both vehicles will be based on the 4.4 litre V8 engine but the 7-Series will have an electric motor, while the X6 will have two motors.
The turbocharged V8 and the two motors allow the X6 ActiveHybrid to produce a combined total of 478 horsepower and a massive 780Nm of torque, which is a full 100Nm more than the X6-M! Though its likely that none of the extra equipment require more space in terms of height in the engine bay, BMW has gone and added a powerdome to the X6′s bonnet anyway.
The 7-Series ActiveHybrid features a 459 horsepower and 760Nm combined total output. There is a fundamental difference between how these two hybrid systems work. The X6 can run on EV mode, which means it can move propelled by the electric motors alone with the V8 engine shut off (though only for 2.5km at speeds of up to 60km/h), while the 7-Series uses a motor assist setup which means the electric motor cannot be used standalone. Clearly not exactly positioned for those who really want to do their bit to save the earth or even save fuel, otherwise they would have based these babys on the 3.0 litre turbo six instead of the turbo V8.
GALLERY: BMW ActiveHybrid 7 Low-Res Pix
GALLERY: BMW X6 ActiveHybrid Low-Res Pix
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
man , im finding it hard to keep up with bmw's innovations nowadays…very impressive
Cool!!!
just wondering the price of this car in Malaysia
nice engine cover…
just like a shield
tat's y i said hybrid are for rich fella only.
I wonder how much more weight the system adds to the car
goto:
http://green.autoblog.com/gallery/2010-bmw-x6-act…
for bigger images.
The batteries they use is Ni-MH, same as Prius. We know Lithium batteries work because notebooks, mobiles and the Tesla sportcar uses it. So I imagine, it is just not economical yet.
Whats interesting is that the two electric motor are small enough to fit into a gearbox and yet powerful enough to drive at 60km/h with 280Nm of torque each!
Also, they try to keep the front:rear balance by placing the batteries at the back. probably still nose heavy though…
While everyone is targetting smaller
and lower cost cars, BMW seems to be
taking the lead in its luxury car segment.
The hybrid + elec cars tech looks promising
however will hv2 wait for another year or so b4
it becomes a reality.
The next generation of cars will be powered by Electric, Solar, Hydrogen, Salt Water etc or a combination of them.
All moving away from dirty and blood-stained Oil.
Welcum to the future!