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.

Read the rest of this entry »

AutoWeek reports that BMW is aiming to sell 1,000 of its new 7 and X6 hybrids in their first year in the United States.

Both hybrid were revealed last month and are heading for Frankfurt Motor Show.

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. Compared to the 7 Hybrid, the X6 makes use of not one, but two electric motors which deliver 91 hp and 86 hp, respectively, with peak torque values of 192 lb-ft and 206 lb-ft. Top speed in the electric mode is 37 mph, maximum range is 1.6 miles. The maximum output is 480 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque, enough to be crowned as the most powerful hybrid vehicle ever offered for sale.

The ActiveHybrid 7 uses a different electric drive setup from the X6 Hybrid and it’s being considered a mild hybrid. 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.

The X6 hybrid comes to the U.S. market in December, followed by the 7-series in April 2010.

BMW’s plans are certainly ambitious, but the base price of these two hybrids will play a large role in the final sales numbers.

On another note, Jim O’Donnell, CEO of BMW North America, confirmed the rumors we have heard recently: more diesel could be added to U.S. lineup, including the new 5 Series and X models.

[Source: AutoWeek ]

With the X6 ActiveHybrid unveiling out of the way, BMW continues road testing for their first hybrid models and two new test mules were spotted in Munich and near Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.

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. Compared to the 7 Hybrid, the X6 makes use of not one, but two electric motors which deliver 91 hp and 86 hp, respectively, with peak torque values of 192 lb-ft and 206 lb-ft. Top speed in the electric mode is 37 mph, maximum range is 1.6 miles.

The maximum output is 480 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque, enough to be crowned as the most powerful hybrid vehicle ever offered for sale. The ActiveHybrid X6 runs from 0 to 60 mph in only 5.4 seconds and still increases efficiency by 20%.  The X6 Hybrid uses a 7-Speed automatic transmission.

Read the rest of this entry »

For months, we were lead to believe that the hybrid technology used in the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and X6 Hybrid are identical. To our surprise, based on the press releases issued  yesterday, we learned that the two bimmer hybrids are actually using different technologies.

BMW ActiveHybrid 7

The ActiveHybrid 7 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. The BMW ActiveHybrid 7 accelerates to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds (preliminary), while delivering fuel economy approximately 15% better than the 750i.

Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday, BMW has unveiled two new models that will go on sale this Fall: BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and ActiveHybrid X6. As usual, a large collection of photos and very detailed press releases have been sent out to the media, including new marketing videos showing the new BMW hybrid technology and the some footage of these cars.

The BMW ActiveHybrid is powered by 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. Power is transmitted via an 8-speed automatic transmission with the electric motor positioned between the engine and the torque converter.

On the other hand, the X6 Hybrid uses a 400 hp twin-turbocharged V8 gasoline engine and two electric synchronous motors delivering 91 hp and 86 hp, respectively. Maximum system output is 480 hp, and peak torque reaches 575 lb-ft.

Read the rest of this entry »

BMW North America has just published the press release on the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6. Along with the very detailed information on the first ActiveHybrid vehicle, plenty of photos have been uploaded as well.

The embargo was broken last night by an UK magazine and several publications posted some low-resolution photos. We decided to hold off and give you the high-quality photos and all the information regarding the X6 Hybrid.

Check out next article for the 7 Series Hybrid information as well.

Press Release BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

Read the rest of this entry »

Not really a surprise anymore, the upcoming 2010 BMW X6 Hybrid continues its testing sessions on U.S. soil. This time, the X6 Hybrid was spotted near Santa Maria, California. The first Sports Activity Hybrid is moving fast through the FEP(Final Evaluation Stages) and it’s preparing for the official launch this fall.

A production-ready vehicle will be showcased at the upcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, along with the 755ih…..yes, “h” for hybrid. The BMW X6 ActiveHybrid uses a two-mode hybrid system which has discrete modes for high-torque, low speed driving as well as for high-speed cruises.

The hybrid design technology has been developed in a partnership with Daimler and General Motors, called the “Global Hybrid Cooperation”.

BMWs Active Hybrid drive technology provides an efficiency savings of 20% over the regular X6 models. BMW may enhance the efficiency of the X6 Hybrid with plug-in charging capability or could offer this as a dealer installed option at a later date. Plug-in charging would require doubling the size of the X6’s conventional hybrid battery pack, or designing an optional location for the addition of a second battery pack (called a Battery Range Extender Module or BREM).

BMW is using a nickel metal hydride battery for the initial applications and unlike the other car manufacturers, the BMW hybrid engine will not be using cylinder deactivation.

The overall exterior design is almost identical with the regular X6 models, one element that stands out is a bulge on the hood. Even though not confirmed, we expect the base price of an X6 Hybrid to be set between $70,000-$80,000.

Thanks for the photo Samuel!

With just a few months before its official launch, the BMW X6 Hybrid has been spotted again in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Despite the fact that BMW has showcased the X6 Hybrid at several events, including the last one at X6 M International launch, the hybrid bimmer is still carrying some light camouflage.

Obviously the large Hybrid sticker on the side and back of the car gives it all away, but not that this vehicle was a highly guarded secret anymore. Our first encounter with the BMW X6 Hybrid took place at the L.A Auto Show in November 2008 and we absolutely loved the car displayed there.

While many of the X6 Hybrid design characteristics we have seen these transposed onto the production model also, there are still a few small changes, mostly up front, where the front bumper has been replaced by one found in the regular xDrive50i model.

Read the rest of this entry »