BMW BLOG

John Voelcker over at GreenCarReports had the opportunity to sat behind the wheel of the all-brand new 2010 BMW ActiveHbyrid X6. Here is an excerpt from his detailed and informative review:

“Our goal was to fundamentally change the view of hybrids,” said Peter Tünnermann, project manager for the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6. “We wanted to make a ‘non-hybrid’ hybrid.”

In other words, a hybrid that didn’t drive like a hybrid. And in that goal, BMW has succeeded admirably.

Drivers at the international launch of BMW’s first hybrid-electric vehicle agreed that if the badges and instruments had been removed, they would have been hard-pressed to know that this latest X6 had electric motors and all sorts of software wizardry between its engine and the wheels.

Their only clue, in fact, would have been the fuel economy. No other X6 even comes close to achieving 20 miles per gallon in mixed use.

But what about performance?

It works. Under light, moderate, and full acceleration, the ActiveHybrid system’s up- and down-shifts felt just like a standard automatic transmission. Engine speed was directly proportional to road speed in each “gear,” rising and falling with throttle input.

Acceleration from 0 to 62 miles per hour is 5.6 seconds, equivalent to the xDrive 50i.

But the ActiveHybrid X6’s liquid-cooled, 2.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack can also propel the car in electric-only mode up to 37 miles per hour and, under specific circumstances, for up to 1.6 miles.

You can read John’s full review here