And here we have it, BMW’s secretive concept car with the radical rear tail lamps set for its Frankfurt showcase unveiled before the show – the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics. If you’ve been following the motoring scene closely you’ll remember back in early 2008 there was another concept car with the exact same name but with a much less radical body. Come to think of it the design was probably inspired by the GINA concept. 2008′s Vision EfficientDynamics Concept was built using the body of an X5 but featured a 2.0 litre twin turbodiesel (from the 123d) with 204hp mated to a 15kW electric motor.
For this new vehicle, you can see its clearly a sports car, a 2+2 seater to be exact. It’s very aerodynamic, rated at 0.22 for its CX drag coefficient. The car’s 0.22 figure for its aerodynamics were achieved using various methods. At the front, you have active air flaps which channel only the required amount of air smoothly into the car. A number of body elements are used as air deflectors and guide vanes, like the A-pillar. The underbody is completely covered with a smooth surface.
BMW says this car’s development concept was to offer the performance of a BMW M Car and a highly emotional character combined with the fuel economy and emission management of a modern small car in the premium class. Make no mistake, it’s a hint that future M cars might have KERS-like hybrid electric motors for power assist.
Under the hood of the new BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is something very interesting. It’s BMW’s first modern three-cylinder engine in a long time – a 1.5 litre inline-3, mated to two electric motors, one each on the front and rear axle. It is mounted in a mid-engine position behind the rear seats and puts out 163hp and 290Nm of torque by itself, and is mated to a 6-speed twin clutch transmission with its TCU tuned for fuel economy (other twin clutch previously announced by BMW have been 7-speed). Overall system output – 356hp and a massive 800Nm of torque.
0 to 100km/h takes 4.8 seconds and the car goes up to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. EU test cycle fuel consumption is rated at 3.76 litres per 100km, and CO2 output is pegged at just 99g/km. BMW says it can go up to 700km or just 650km on the diesel motor alone.
The rear motor sits between the turbodiesel and its twin clutch transmission, while the front motor stands on its own and puts its drive through a two stage single speed reduced ratio transmission. It puts out 60kW on its own with a peak torque of 220Nm but can boost this up to 84kW for up to 30 seconds and even up to 104kW in 10 seconds.
The rear motor makes more torque – 290Nm but less power at 25kW constant to a peak of 38kW. The rear motor also performs the brake energy regeneration functions. The exhaust system even has a Thermo-Electric Generator which scavenges exhaust gas heat to generate power – up to 200 watts in this instance.
The Vision EfficientDynamics can run on electric power alone for about 50km – an EV mode as people usually call it. And the 10.8kWh (80% discharged capacity) lithium polymer batteries (98 cells) on-board can be recharged via your wall socket, not just through brake energy regeneration. When plugged in, a full charge can be done in 2.5 hours with a regular 220V wall plug, or down to 44 minutes at most with a 380V quick charger.
I like how BMW is honest in saying EV mode emissions are rated at about 50g/km when you take into account how the electricity that you pump in from the grid is generated typically in Europe. The rest of the manufacturers claim completely zero emissions – of course there are emissions, just not from your tailpipe.
You’re going to have trouble finding tyres for this guy though, the size is quite weird. 195/55R21. The whole chassis and suspension are made out of aluminium while the roof and outer skin of the doors are made out of a special polycarbonate glass which have a darkening function when there is excessive light. Weight is pegged at just 1,395kg with a low centre of gravity. The Vision ED measures 4,600mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,240mm in height. Maximum luggage capacity is 150kg, which BMW says the shape and size is enough for 2 golf bags.
Look after the jump for hi-res images of the new Vision ED. Also check out the video which reveals alot more about how the Vision ED looks like especially at night, and how the front flaps move – this isn’t found in the photo gallery.
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.
that is a M1 isn't it ?
Woowwww…those eyes!
its look like japanese concept…
looks like a pantha.
This is ultra-futuro!
so complex the design~~
Amazing.If only Proton could invent such thing.Maybe another century.Maybe only.Haha
but still BMW's KERS is a par behind McLaren Mercedes's KERS…maybe that's why bmw become big fans of KERS at the beginning of f1's 2009 seasons….
great concept from BMW.
but, i find the steering wheel a tad off. Like does not match with its style.
Do they really need to waste electricity to light up blue on the front kidney grills? Will definitely loose a few more km on its mileage if kept it switched on.
look like an alien to me… especially from the rear view…
What the hell, best looking car EVER, The interior is so much different from the previous BMW models. WOW
The hybrid concept used is at least 10 years out of date.
To push out so much body and aerodynamic design waffle just to gain market share says it all.
Still the boy racer gas guzzler company.
@George
Amazing.If only Proton could invent such thing.Maybe another century.Maybe only.Haha
_______________________________________________________
If Proton still exists, that is. Which I highly doubt >=]
seats and center console look a lot like boeing 787 dreamliner cockpit – if your familiar with it.
a very angry design indeed!
0.22Cd, trully dynamic, anyone can share which others car can achieve that?
F1 maybe?
The front part just shouts
" You'll pay for what you've done "
Just a concept. Not real
You’re Slimeball said,
If Proton still exists, that is. Which I highly doubt >=]
————————————————
HAHAHAHA…..LOL
why can't proton come up with something like this…? putra replacement will be great or is just too much to dream! ha ha ha!
this car is surely a chick magnet
@chyan
but this is just 1500cc car
this wouldn't be too expensive
@man
if this is come out around US$35000-US$50000
it would surely kill others sport car.
especially this car have a nice fuel efficiency and very good acceleration
i think bond (james bond) should ride this on his new movies
or batman, if he change to white bat
the front and back had a somehow aggressive mean looks.
Its SILKY smooth but still aggresive…………..damn
it remind me of KTM Xbow sumtime
"It’s BMW’s first modern three-cylinder engine in a long time – a 1.5 liter inline-3, mated to two electric motors, one each on the front and rear axle. It is mounted in a mid-engine position behind the rear seats and puts out 163hp and 290Nm of torque by itself"….
3 cylinder 1.5L puts out 163hp and 290Nm!!!!!!
OMG…what the heck is this engine??
the front part certainly looks like M1 Homage released last year..
well, as they say.."BMW build this kind of cars because they can.."
it's a great way to shout "BMW is ahead in automobile tech"
omg is that a car
a beutiful art…..
nice job from BMW…
Welcome to the MATRIX!
the Damn thing is the Side Mirror ..how can driver look via the side mirror? why not using all digital camera to view the rear and side of da car?
anyway..this picture just computerized only..not real…
proton also have a lot prototype model in their factory…
It is certainly amazing what can be done with tax payers money used to bail out criminal bankers and out dated car manufacturers.
A great pity BMW could not place investment into eco fuels and later generation electric systems instead of wasting it on marketing smoke.
Do not forget that BMW F1 are one of the loudest objectors to Kers in F1, not exactly supporting eco motoring are they. Without Kers, this thing would not exist, even with outdated systems. Putting a bigger starter motor in gas guzzlers is way off the answer.
wah…this is a car….but for show only might be for 2050 ….during that time all the visitor on this site already gone…
Either see this car in heaven or hell….
BMW, TRANSFORM !!!!!!!!
autogyro said,
August 30, 2009 @ 7:11 pm
The hybrid concept used is at least 10 years out of date.
—–
really? so i guess proton or perodua is up to date for you?
This car is so full of AWESOMENESS!!!
Hopes cars in the future looks as good and can come into Malaysia. haha
-MAN
Well, this baby is definitely going on production!
dont know how the fvck proton gets dragged into this but anyway…
Dont care about the trees or whales.
The design of this car is really stunning!
I want one.
autobots, transforms! new transformer model is here! haha.. hi guys petrol ron95 price will increase from rm1.75 to rm1.80 and ron97 from rm1.80 to rn2.00 per liter at 12 midnight today!
that's why i say ………. BMW is the best !!!!
all posts also must relate to P1, sigh……..
where is Mr. BMW Better ?
King said the hybrid concept used is at least ten years out of date.
Yep
It uses ordinary separate electric motors, exactly like an invalid carriage or a milk float.
Watch this space old son.
Reminds me of Invid ..
THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAR EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANNA BUY ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the word "passion" were mentioned quite a lot in the video.
reminds me of an alfa romeo salesman words.
bmw trying to be passionate?..hm..
Gundam inspired car.
Oiii BMW …concept pun concept lah ..but where's the hook for our teh tarik aa?
wow!
This car truly make me believe in BMW again.
Good balance in terms of power, fuel efficiency, aerodynamics. Truly well balanced. Compact yet powerful enough. Design and fun factor perspective, this is no doubt one of the coolest thing I've seen this year. Whether or not this car can be real to us, it is the pricing that matters.
A friend of mine drew something almost identical in first year technical college although it did not have a BMW grill.
All it needs is enough money from the tax payer to make it 3D.
Bolt in two electric motors like a milk float and BMW is yer Uncle.
Oh yea, it helps to have a few stern designers with German accents to add a little cred.
Bit like Star Trek really (it is not real people).
BrrrrM BrrrrM
Wawasan 2020 Car………
-Georgie
I dont think this car is going to be cheap….My intuition tells me it is going to be above millions.
mcm keta ultraman laa
try to imagine if someone drive it in the middle of kuala lumpur. It looks a lot cooler than riding a ferrari
this picture's is very good
did any one saw it's scary look