BMW BLOG

Continuing our coverage from the Detroit Auto Show with the latest news from BMW regarding their hybrid vehicles. The BMW X6 Hybrid and the new BMW 7 Series Hybrid will be ready for production in 2009 and will be available at U.S dealerships by the end of this year.

Photo Gallery at the end

The BMW X6 is a two-mode hybrid based on an 8-cylinder gasoline engine which has been custom-made to meet the requirements of an SAV.

The newer, greener X6 will utilize the previously outlined dual-mode ActiveHybrid system, which has discrete modes for high-torque, low speed driving as well as for high-speed cruises.

The system uses a modular hybrid system which can be adapted to many different engine/vehicle combination, as opposed to a design-specific petrol engine/hybrid combination, which sees wider use in the automotive industry.

The two-mode hybrid uses about 20 percent less fuel than than a comparable vehicle with combustion engine.

The BMW 7 Series Hybrid uses a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine that delivers 407 horsepower and 442lb ft, working in combination with an AC electric motor that can add another 20 horserpower and 155lb ft of torque.

To improve even more the fuel efficiency, the start/stop technology and the part-time alternator have been implemented in the Hybrid version as well.

The braking energy is being conserved and reused to power the Hybrid vehicle.

We have seen both cars in L.A last year, but it’s still nice to see new, fresh photos of them.