Comments on: BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, The Hybrid I’m Not Embarassed to Drive

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:45:55 +0000

I drive a Lexus gs400h (for hybrid) have done since 1997, at 0 – 100 in 5.6 sec, and low fuel use, it rocks today, and is not a concept.

By: Beach

Beach — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:32:16 +0000

The exterior is obviously Show Car Wild, and very little of it would make it to a production car. It does explore some new design directions that will probably influence future design, which is not a bad thing. The main thing that is exciting about this car is, as you say, the powertrain.

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:17:57 +0000

Nicely written, Andrew.

By: mark

mark — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:12:43 +0000

@andrew

I’m sorry but are you saying hybrid drivers are smug because you’ve experienced them overtaking you and driving badly? That doesn’t seem to me like smugness, more that they’re normal drivers.

Personally I would rather own an efficient diesel than a hybrid. I am well aware of the issues of battery production and its effect on the environment, as well as Toyota’s initiatives to counter the environmental impact. What I don’t like however is the attitude in the states toward those who actually care about the damage being done to the environment. In a country where gas guzzling suv’s reign supreme, labelling someone smug because they drive a hybrid seems to me to be absolutely hypocritical.

By: torzeck

torzeck — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:41:18 +0000

First I love BMWs and have had an x3 and now have a 3 series.This concept may have a great power train,, an Interesting interior and a lot of cool ideas but visually this thing is a mess with regards to the exterior. The form is wacky and then they make it red white and blue.{ I know m colors}. I think in this case the emperor has no clothes. I bet an intern did it.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:50:40 +0000

How aren’t hybrid drivers smug? I know, BMW drivers are in their own right, but there have been plenty of times I’ve been cruising down the highway at 75MPH only to have a Prius blazing passed me in the left lane and that’s happened more than few times. Just because you drive a more fuel efficient car doesn’t mean you need to cane the car around everywhere…My point being that I’ve seen Prius drivers make horrible decisions on the road as if the efficiency of the car forgives their lack of ability to drive a car.

Oh and they ignore the entire fact that their “environmental” car destroys the environment around the factories that manufacture the battery packs for the vehicles. So, this is why I don’t get the Prius – its a hypocritical car.

By: mark

mark — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:42:49 +0000

“The fact is that previous executions of Hybrids demanded a large dose of Smug from their drivers”

Which fact would that be? I get that some drivers are smug and some may be smug about driving a hybrid. Hybrids demanding their drivers be smug is utterly nonsensical.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:47:16 +0000

Well – I think, this being a concept, it shows us what is possible with the idea that cost is no option. However, these same technologies will be pushed down into existing vehicles. Cars like the 320d or the upcoming X6 Hybrid will likely benefit from these technologies, thus cutting down on the overall cost. Even the price of carbon fiber has dropped over the last 20 years as it becomes more and more available.

By: X5SoB

X5SoB — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:11:21 +0000

It’s good to see other authors, not that Horatiu doesn’t do a good job.
The fact is that previous executions of Hybrids demanded a large dose of Smug from their drivers, while this is a Hybrid that is desirable and very stylish, while having leading edge technology. The main problem I see is cost. Even with economies of scale, this car promises to be mighty expensive, with it’s all carbon fiber construction and control hardware.

By: mark

mark — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:43:58 +0000

So the author is embarrassed to drive hybrids?

Would you be ‘embarrassed’ to drive a gas guzzling suv, a sub 20 mpg sports car or a Prius? Let me guess… ‘Tree huggers’? Are you kidding me!? People who are environmentally conscious are still considered ‘tree huggers’?

‘Actually makes it hip to be green’? I though you guys were finally taking notice of climate change and beginning, finally, to change your attitude!

By: Horatiu

Horatiu — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:56:14 +0000

We’re always trying to combine the type of articles we post, we have a variety of readers and we would like to cover all the bases. These type of editorial pieces will appear more frequently and might even have resident “columnists”

Good job once again Andrew!

By: Brookside

Brookside — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:53:08 +0000

Great article. Nice to see “think pieces” popping up on BMWBlog more regularly.

BMW is in the post-Bangle era – and it coincides with the inevitability of hybrid production models. It’s a great opportunity for engineers and designers to create a new BMW template.