MIRAMAS, France — BMW has an Active Hybrid version in mind for its new 7 Series, and plans to bring it to the U.S. in late 2009.
After last year's Hydrogen 7 test fleet stole headlines and showed up everywhere, from Oscar night to other marquee galas, Munich has decided to experiment in similar fashion with a 7 Series Active Hybrid for U.S. roads.
Last fall spy photographers spotted a BMW 7 Series prototype near GM's Milford, Michigan proving grounds, leading credence to the fact that this gasoline-engine-plus-electric-motors system was developed in conjunction with GM's two-mode hybrid technology. The system works with a two-mode ECVT transmission to optimize efficiencies at both slow and highway speeds.
Although this greener 7 would still have the capability to deactivate completely the DTC/DSC traction systems and cut perfect drifts, BMW spokespeople confess they aren't yet utterly convinced about the 7 Series' sales potential in North America with the system. "Just look at the sales numbers for the Lexus LS 600h L," says a BMW rep. "They're not selling well, and such an investment needs to have a return."
The new 7 Series will begin delivery in Western Europe on November 15, and the U.S-bound 750i and 750Li models will start arriving soon after the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next January.
U.S. pricing has not yet been announced, but the 10 percent hike for the normal wheelbase 750i V8 biturbo model in Europe would lead us to guess at a price of $84,500 in the U.S., with the 750Li most likely starting at $87,500.
What this means to you: The idea looks to us like a mess of luxury and a mess of fun without all the mess. — Matt Davis, Correspondent
After last year's Hydrogen 7 test fleet stole headlines and showed up everywhere, from Oscar night to other marquee galas, Munich has decided to experiment in similar fashion with a 7 Series Active Hybrid for U.S. roads.
Last fall spy photographers spotted a BMW 7 Series prototype near GM's Milford, Michigan proving grounds, leading credence to the fact that this gasoline-engine-plus-electric-motors system was developed in conjunction with GM's two-mode hybrid technology. The system works with a two-mode ECVT transmission to optimize efficiencies at both slow and highway speeds.
Although this greener 7 would still have the capability to deactivate completely the DTC/DSC traction systems and cut perfect drifts, BMW spokespeople confess they aren't yet utterly convinced about the 7 Series' sales potential in North America with the system. "Just look at the sales numbers for the Lexus LS 600h L," says a BMW rep. "They're not selling well, and such an investment needs to have a return."
The new 7 Series will begin delivery in Western Europe on November 15, and the U.S-bound 750i and 750Li models will start arriving soon after the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next January.
U.S. pricing has not yet been announced, but the 10 percent hike for the normal wheelbase 750i V8 biturbo model in Europe would lead us to guess at a price of $84,500 in the U.S., with the 750Li most likely starting at $87,500.
What this means to you: The idea looks to us like a mess of luxury and a mess of fun without all the mess. — Matt Davis, Correspondent
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