BMW BLOG

UK magazine Autocar is one of the first auto publications to sit behind the wheel of the upcoming BMW Active Hybrid 7. The first production ready BMW hybrid uses a different electric drive setup from the X6 Hybrid and it’s being considered a mild hybrid. The system was developed in collaboration with Mercedes Benz. The upgraded V8 twin-turbo with High Precision Direct Injection runs together, at the same time, with a 3-phase synchronous electric motor which is positioned between the engine and the torque converter. The electric motor generates approximately 20 hp and peak torque of 155 lb-ft.

The “pumped up” V8 twin-turbo engine produces 40 horsepower more than the engine found in the 750i/Li models to a total of 400 horsepower. The overall combined output is being advertised at 455 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It runs from 0-62 mph in only 4.7 seconds (as tested by Autocar )

With these preliminary data, let’s take a look at what Autocar reports:

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100% ActiveHybrid. 100% Pure Joy. This is the punch line that BMW is using to promote their first hybrid vehicles available for the general consumer.

At least on paper, the two BMW hybrids seem to maintain the sportiness that characterizes the BMW brand while still being more efficient than the standard models. The X6 Hybrid and 7 Hybrid, while share the same core ideas on fuel efficiency, they are still using quite different technologies.

The ActiveHybrid 7 uses a different electric drive setup from the X6 Hybrid and it’s being considered a mild hybrid. BMW ActiveHybrid X6 features a two-mode hybrid system which allows the X6 to run either on its electric motors alone at low speeds, internal combustion or a combination of both.

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On the heels of the ActiveHybrid X6, today BMW announced the production version of the all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 7, which will also premiere at the Frankfurt Auto Show (IAA) in September. The BMW ActiveHybrid 7 will reach America shores in Spring, 2010. Based on the newest BMW 7 Series, this unique car sets new standards for performance and efficiency in the premium luxury class.

This symbiosis of an upgraded twin-turbo, High Precision Direct Injection, V8 engine with a 3-phase synchronous electric motor gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 a combined output of 455 hp and maximum torque of 516 lb-ft (preliminary figures). Power is transmitted via an 8-speed automatic transmission with the electric motor positioned between the engine and the torque converter. The electric motor receives its supply of energy from a lithium-ion battery developed specifically for use in this automobile.

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BMW continues the testing trials of its new BMW 7 Series Hybrid model and this time it was spotted at the Nurburgring track. BMW’s hybrid  dubbed 755ih will launch at the end of this year and it is the first BMW model to use the dual-mode ActiveHybrid system, which has discrete modes for high-torque, low speed driving as well as for high-speed cruises.

The second hybrid to use the same technology will be the X6 ActiveHybrid which will launch this year as well.

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. In mild hybrid form, the result is 15 percent less fuel consumption and emissions (in the EU test cycle) versus a combustion engine only equivalent.

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. Other standard hybrid features, such as regenerative braking and optimized aerodynamics.

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One of the new models promised by BMW this year, the 7 Series Hybrid, was spotted by one of the readers over at our BimmerToday.de blog. Marketed under the 755ih name, the new 7er Hybrid production model will make its official debut at the IAA Auto Show in Frankfurt this fall.

The ActiveHybrid Concept was unveiled back at the L.A Auto Show, where we had the opportunity to spend some time with the car.  We also learned there that the BMW 755ih uses a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 petrol engine that delivers 407 horsepower and 442lb ft, working in combination with an AC electric motor that can add another 20 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque.

Being developed under the BMW EfficientDynamics program, the 7er Hybrid uses new technologies to improve even more the fuel efficiency, starting with the the Start/Stop technology and the part-time alternator, and continuing with the “Brake Energy Regeneration” system which conserves and reuses the braking energy to power the Hybrid vehicle.

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The new generation BMW hybrid models have been first unveiled at the L.A Auto Show last fall. We had the opportunity to see live the BMW 7 Series Hybrid, along with the X6 SAC powered by a hybrid system.At the time, the new 7er was just being referenced as an ActiveHybrid vehicle without carrying the typical BMW naming convention.

Despite the fact that many auto sites are calling the new 7 Hybrid as the 750ih, we have learned from a source that the final naming convention will be……755ih. Regardless of the name, the production model will make its debut on German soil at the Frankfurt IAA car show.

The BMW 755ih uses a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 petrol engine that delivers 407 horsepower and 442lb ft, working in combination with an AC electric motor that can add another 20 horsepower and 155 lb-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.

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The new BMW 7 Series Hybrid has been spotted again somewhere in Munich. The 7er Hybrid which was unveiled at the L.A Auto Show in November 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.

In mild hybrid form, the result is 15 percent less fuel consumption and emissions (in the EU test cycle) versus a combustion engine only equivalent.

The 7 Series Hybrid comes as a response to the Lexus LS 600hL and Mercedes-Benz’s S400 Bluetec Hybrid which was unveiled in 2007 at the L.A Show.

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Continuing the L.A coverage with another highly expected BMW, the 7 Series ActiveHybrid. The 7er Hybrid was already presented at the Paris Auto Show last month, but I finally got to see the car live. Again, BMW put up a whole show around it and the car basically brought down through a ramp onto the main stage, with the whole event being surrounded by lights, smoke and the proper music.

This shows one more time the effort BMW is putting into promoting the EfficiencyDynamics technology and it shows clearly, again, the direction they are going to take. The 7 Series ActiveHybrid looks pretty much the same as the regular 7er, sporting the usual “hybrid blueish color” along with some cool tinted windows. The car was locked so we didn’t get to see the interior.

The press conference I uploaded earlier touches the 7 Series Hybrid in more detail, so feel free to scan through it again.

Here are some of the first photos we snapped, but I should have more a little bit later.

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I guess we know now where this truck was transporting the BMW 7 Hydrogen. We learned a few months back that BMW will be giving away the 7 Hydrogen concept to a group of select people. Well, we just found out yesterday who is one of these “special” people: the Academy Award Winner, Hillary Swank.

Miss Swank joins Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Will Ferrell, Jay Leno, Edward Norton, Cameron Diaz, Melissa Etheridge and others who have opted for a BMW Hydrogen 7 as their energy-efficient ride of choice.

According to BMW, initially only 100 units were manufactured and along with famous actors, many politicians and world economists have received a “green” 7er as well.

Obviously, this is great PR for BMW and I’m sure they scored major points with the public, especially the BMW fans. And as a personal note, I do see Hillary in a 7 Hydrogen before Cameron Diaz. Not sure why…..

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