- BMW says its latest gasoline-electric hybrid, the ActiveHybrid 5, will be publicly unveiled late this month at the Tokyo auto show.
- The hybrid version of the 5 Series sedan will feature a six-cylinder gasoline engine, an electric drive system, an eight-speed automatic transmission and a lithium-ion battery pack.
- BMW said the ActiveHybrid 5 will get a new "intelligent energy management system."
MUNICH, Germany — BMW's latest gasoline-electric hybrid, the ActiveHybrid 5, will be publicly unveiled late this month at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show.
The hybrid version of the 5 Series sedan will feature a six-cylinder gasoline engine, an electric drive system, an eight-speed automatic transmission and a lithium-ion battery pack. This is a full hybrid system that enables the car to drive solely on electric power for short distances around town.
BMW said the ActiveHybrid 5 also will get a new "intelligent energy management system," which the company said "works in tandem with the navigation system to prepare the car's drive functions in advance for upcoming road conditions."
The ActiveHybrid 5 was first displayed in concept form last year at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. At the time, BMW described the car's propulsion system as a "next-generation" hybrid drivetrain.
The automaker unveiled its ActiveHybrid 7 and ActiveHybrid X6 two years ago at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Both cars use BMW's twin-turbo V8 in combination with an electric drive system. The ActiveHybrid X6 was sold briefly in the U.S., then dropped this fall, presumably because of lack of demand.
Inside Line says: BMW continues to build out its portfolio of greener performance cars.
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shaconaqe says:
10:11 AM, 12/01/2011
"blueguydotcom says:
If it delivers less than 40 MPG highway...why do this over a diesel?"
Diesel is about 70 cents/gal more than gas where I live. That is a definite disadvantage in terms of cost/mile when compared with a hybrid.
blueguydotcom says:
08:26 PM, 11/14/2011
@awbmw6spd1 - wow...um...do you read any thing about BMW diesels?
isend2c says:
04:42 PM, 11/14/2011
So, BMW ditched the phenomenal N52 3.0 I6, and replaced it by a 2.0 turbo, because it didn't offer good enough fuel economy, and are now using the I6 in this? Retarded.
motorstreet says:
02:54 PM, 11/14/2011
awbmw6spd1
Diesel is available in the US, I own two diesel cars and have never had any trouble anywhere in the country finding diesel. The Acceleration will almost certainly be worse than the 295hp 3.0L twin turbo diesel BMW 535d sold in Europe, which is rated at 49mpg on the highway and 43mpg Combined.
awbmw6spd1 says:
02:35 PM, 11/14/2011
BLUEGUY
Because diesel isnt available in the US and the acceleration on this hybrid is much better.
blueguydotcom says:
02:13 PM, 11/14/2011
If it delivers less than 40 MPG highway...why do this over a diesel?