High performance with fewer emissions is the name of the game: One of the BMW vehicles provided for Tom Cruise´s next film is the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car. It has been recognized as having the most sophisticated technology and the most striking design among the current concept electric supercars. In a few years the BMW i8, which was inspired by the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics concept vehicle, will enter series production.

“We are thrilled to be involved again in another Hollywood Blockbuster,” said Ian Robertson, BMW AG Board Member for Sales and Marketing. “The BMW Group leads the way in developing future mobility with a focus on sustainability. One great example is the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car which will be presented in the film. With its futuristic design and large glass surfaces, the car offers a fascinating perspective on the future of sheer driving pleasure – in combination with maximum efficiency. Also with BMW ConnectedDrive technology, it is the perfect car for Ethan Hunt to outsmart his pursuers through narrow streets and busy city traffic.”

Having provided vehicles for outstanding film projects, TV productions, etc. for more than 75 years, entertainment marketing is firmly established as an important building block for the BMW Group’s long-term image and product communications.

“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”, directed by Brad Bird, is scheduled for release mid of December 2011.

For more information please see www.bmw.com/mission

The popular franchise returns this year with episode number 4 and shooting already began last year in Dubai and the UK.

According to our sources, “Mission Impossible: The Ghost Protocol” will include some car-chase actions that will feature the new 6er, along with other BMWmodels. Today, we find out what other BMW will be featured in the Blockbuster flick and that is the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept.

In December 2010, another VED prototype was spotted in Abu Dhabi and now it makes us wonder if it is related to the upcoming movie or was it simply a photoshoot commercial for BMW.

This time, the film set moves to Mumbai, India where the future BMW i8 vehicle makes another appearance. The VED was accompanied by a 2011 BMW 6 Series during a scene.

The folks at Team-Bhp describe the scene for us:

Last night a scene from Mission Impossible 4 was shot at Prabhadevi. It included the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car, a BMW 650ci (2nd Gen) and a BMW 5 series whose front and rear bumpers were removed to mount cameras. I was present at the shoot with fellow T-BHPian dhrishikesh. A traffic jam was simulated on Appasaheb Marathe Marg using second-hand cars from Mahindra First Choice Wheels. There were approximately 50-60 bouncers all over the venue to ensure that photographs weren’t taken with nearly 10 of them guarding the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics. I tried to take a close up shot of the 5 series camera car, but a bouncer snatched my camera away with a stern warning that next time, my camera will be impounded. After the shoot started, we positioned ourselves on the foot-over bridge from where we could get clear shots and avoid the bouncers as well. I have pics of both the cars, except the 5 series camera car.

[Source: Team BHP via Autoblog ]

Judging by the sound engine, the BMW i8 prototype seem to continue testing the three-cylinder diesel engine that was initially revealed with. Recent reports indicate that due to low popularity of diesel outside of Europe, the powerplant will be replaced by a gasoline engine.

The concept study BMW Vision EfficientDynamics was revealed in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and represents the future of driving pleasure, as BMW described it. Just 1.24 meters high, the 2+2-seater takes up the characteristic BMW shaping style, geared consistently towards aesthetic appeal and dynamic performance.

Wing doors facilitate entry to both rows of seats, while extensive aerodynamic measures reduce the drag coefficient to 0.22. The gasoline or diesel engine will be paired with a hybrid synchronous motor at the front axle and a full-hybrid engine at the rear axle enables an overall system output of 241 kW/328 bhp.

The final performance numbers are far from being finalized, but BMW anticipates the i8 to run to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds – with an average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle (KV01) of 3.76 litters/100 kilometers, equal to 75.1 mpg imp, and a CO2 emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer.

The BMW i8 will be built at the Leipzig plant and according to BMW, the total volume we should expect varies between 5,000 and 10,000 units.

Last year, BMWBLOG was one of the five automotive publications invited to enjoy ride in an i8 prototype and at the time, we shared our first impressions.

[Source: e90post ]

According to our sources, “Mission Impossible: The Ghost Protocol” will include some car-chase actions that will feature the new 6er, along with other BMW models. Today, we find out what other BMW will be featured in the Blockbuster flick and that is the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept. A member of e90post spotted the VED Concept in Vancouver, British Columbia where the movie crew is currently filming.

In December 2010, another VED prototype was spotted in Abu Dhabi and now it makes us wonder if it is related to the upcoming movie or was it simply a photoshoot commercial for BMW.

Mission Impossible 4 continues to feature Tom Cruise as the main star, but this time he is joined by uprising Hollywood talent Jeremy Renner who is now rumored to be taking over the franchise.

Click through to see photos taken from the movie set.

How do they compare? Whereas the BMW Vision keeps a strong focus on efficiency over all-out performance, Porsche’s 918 keeps performance squarely in the cross-hairs. Let’s look under the hood – err, mid -engine cover for starters.

BMW’s Vision utilizes an ultra high-tech 1.5 liter 3 cylinder diesel for propulsion, augmented by two electric motors, one ballasting the front of the car while powering the front wheels, the other mounted aft, adding power to the rear wheels. The 1.5 liter turbo diesel produces a mind blowing 163 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque channeled directly to the rear wheels. For those paying attention, that’s a stratospheric 108.7 hp/liter – from a Diesel! This power output is no small feat of engineering. Moving on to the electric propulsion, the front mounted electric motor adds 80 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. For bursts of full acceleration, this front electric motor can muster 112 hp for up to 30 seconds or 129 for a maximum of 10 seconds. The rear mounted (read: aft of rear axle ala Porsche 911) electric motor spins out 33 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque – this power is also channeled to the rear wheels. A collective 325 hp (mindful of the 10 second power burst) is tasked to propel the Vision’s modest 1,450 kg (3,197 lb) curb weight, offering a power to weight ratio of 9.8 lb/hp.

BMW’s Vision supercar makes takes advantage of Munich’s wealth of F1 carbon fiber technology to produce what is essentially a carbon fiber car. The chassis consists of a carbon fiber monocoque using extensive carbon fiber panels for aerodynamic effect. The Vision’s final drag coefficient though the air is an elusive 0.22 cd, allowing incredible consumption of only 3.76 liters/100 km (62.5 mpg) and only 99 grams C02/km. BMW is the first to bring a layering technique to automotive design, both on the interior and exterior of the vehicle.  0-60 times are expected to mimic M3 performance at approximately 4.4 seconds.

Turning our attention to the Porsche 918, the figures are drastically different, yet the mission remains the same. A race-proven (RS Spyder LeMans car) 3.4 liter naturally aspirated V-8 produces 500 horsepower. Three additional electric motors collectively add 218 horsepower for a combined output of 718 hp. Tipping the scales at only 1,490 kg (3,284 lb), the 918 gives little to the BMW in the weight department, while upping the ante for out-right engine power. Result is a staggering power to weight ratio of only 4.57 lb/hp, with 0-60 times expected around 3.2 seconds. The Porsche is clearly faster, and it doesn’t hide its mandate, but here comes the shocker: Porsche’s 918 is destined to achieve impressive consumption figures of only 3.0 liters/100 km (78 mpg) and 70 grams C02/km. Porsche today unveiled the 918 RSR race car as a test bed for future production car technologies – the 918 features a 563 hp engine that spins to 10,300 rpm, augmented by two hybrid drive systems, one using electric motors and batteries for energy storage and the other using a flywheel to store energy under braking, spinning up to 36,000 rpm. Total power output on the 918 race car is 767 hp.

Now which car has the emphasis on green? Clearly the BMW’s mandate is more environmentally focused based on its design approach while the Porsche gives nothing up to performance.  The Porsche uses a more conventional gasoline engine in partnership with its three electric motors, but the end result is a claimed 15 mpg advantage over the BMW’s milage figure. True, both cars are yet to make their street debut, and we may find different real world figures that tell the story otherwise – but for now, we see impressive engineering in both cars.

Which one is the exotic? While few people would place “Diesel” and “sexy” in the same sentence, that may change with BMW’s Vision car. With a horsepower per liter ratio the envy of most gasoline internal combustion cars, BMW’s new Diesel is a true tour-de-force. Engineering at this level is exotic, no matter what fuel you’re burning. Flowing carbon fiber lines are nothing short of seductive, and this sports car reeks of technology. This BMW is one sexy “Vision.” On the other hand, Porsche’s 918 enviro-supercar is vastly more powerful – producing over twice the total horsepower figures of the BMW, while only losing 87 lb to the BMW.

Ultimately, the choice between these two enviro-supercars will come down to taste. Both bring incredible technology to the hybrid car car arena, and choosing between the two is to chose between an Omega and a Breitling.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

One word: HOT!

The production version of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept was spotted during a photoshoot in Abu Dhabi. A member of Teamspeed paid a visit at the Abu Dhabi F1 race track and came across this gem.

Back in November, we were one of the very few and fortunate people to receive some co-driving time in a similar production vehicle, but the car was sporting the usual psychedelic camouflage. The car spotted at Abu Dhabi seem to feature a matte gray paint with a blue shade on the sides.

Developed under the Project i umbrella, Vision EfficientDynamics will make its debut as a production car at the end of 2013, with deliveries beginning in early 2014. The EfficientDynamics Concept features a 1.5 liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 163 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque all on its own. According to Dr. Philip Koehn, Head of Vision EfficientDynamics project, his engineers were looking for the smallest engine produced by BMW and fortunately, an experimental unit was found on the premises. The diesel engined is aided by two electric engines.

First one, in a rear-end placement, produces a constant 33 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque. The second electric motor sits at the front of the car for a perfect weight distribution. The electric unit outputs 80 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. A temporary boost feature meant that for 30 seconds it could produce 112 horsepower or as much as 139 horsepower for just 10 seconds. The 1,450 kg sports car runs from 0-62 mph in only 4.8 seconds, performance that brings it at the same level as the current M3.

The car will charge from a conventional power socket in just 2.5 hours, and BMW indicated its fuel efficiency will approach 90 miles per gallon The car will have an electric-only driving range of about 31 miles, while diesel power extends the total range of the vehicle to up to 435 miles.

In every recent conversation we had with BMW, the company continued to emphasize that their hybrids and full-electric cars will carry over the sporty spirit that characterize the brand, and these vehicles will continue to deliver the emotional driving experience the customers expect, and judging by these photos, they might be on the right track, despite the rumored $200,000 price tag.

Thanks for the tip Asad!

[Source: Teamspeed via 4wheelsnews ]

According to Robertson, the hybrid supercar will “redefine how we look at high-performance sports cars,” when it enters production in 2013.

The VED debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show and it is shaping up to be one of the most awaited BMWs to come. Robertson said to same Insideline that little will change for the production reality. “We haven’t finalized price point yet,” he said, “but it will compete with Ferraris and high-end Porsches.”

Speaking at the official launch of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe in London, Robertson indicated that the price would be “less than £150,000 ($240,000),” which suggests a U.S. price of around $200,000. This puts the BMW VED in a segment with the upcoming 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell.

As we mentioned in the past, the Vision supercar will be built under the umbrella of Project i and assembled at the Leipzig plant in Germany. The VED will be constructed largely of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), which Robertson claimed is 30 percent lighter than aluminum.

The assumption is the supercar is likely to appear at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Vision Concept will join the Megacity vehicles production at the Leipzig plant in Germany. In the first year, BMW wants to sell as much as 1,000 units of the hybrid sports car. EfficientDynamics Concept features a 1.5 liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 163 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque all on its own.

The diesel engined is aided by two electric engines. First one, in a rear-end placement, produces a constant 33 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque. The second electric motor sits at the front of the car for a perfect weight distribution. The electric unit outputs 80 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. A temporary boost feature meant that for 30 seconds it could produce 112 horsepower or as much as 139 horsepower for just 10 seconds. The 1,450 kg sports car runs from 0-62 mph in only 4.8 seconds, performance that brings it at the same level as the current M3.

The car will charge from a conventional power socket in just 2.5 hours, and BMW indicated its fuel efficiency will approach 90 miles per gallon The car will have an electric-only driving range of about 31 miles, while diesel power extends the total range of the vehicle to up to 435 miles.

The new Vision Concept will feature a drive module made out of aluminum and a body primarily dominated by carbon fiber materials.

As we mentioned earlier, first unit will go on sale in 2014 with a rumored price of $150,000.

[Source: BimmerToday]

Leipzig plant will be expanded and it will become a center of excellence for carbon fiber vehicles. The new Vision Concept will feature a drive module made out of aluminum and a body primarily dominated by carbon fiber materials.

Thanks to this setup, passengers will receive maximum protection and due to the aluminum front-end, repairs for minor accidents will be relatively cheap. The production of BMW’s first hybrid supercar will begin in late 2013, deliveries to customers start in 2014.

In the first year, BMW wants to sell as much as 1,000 units of the hybrid sports car, but the predictions are highly speculative at the moment.

According to the same German magazine, the rumor is that BMW would like to market the Vision Concept under a different brand, similar to the Megacity Vehicle. A name for the sub-brand has yet to be decided and there are currently several versions to choose from. Same magazine mentions that a decision is expected to be taken in 2011.

The conversation went from the VED transmission to four-wheel technology and BMW’s vision of future sports cars. Last but not least, why a three-cylinder diesel engine in a sports car. The answer to all these questions and many others, you can find in the article below.

BMWBLOG: How did the idea of a BMW Vision Concept come around?

Dr. Philip Koehn: The idea was to figure out what could be done with the new technology that are up and coming, electric mobility for example. The question was: can we still make fascinating cars in terms of functionality and which are fun to drive and handle the CO2 emission strict regulations as also. The team tried to make a vehicle concept that makes use of all advantages we have in the technology field. The finally came up with this idea of combining a small engine which is not really meant to deliver acceleration performs and combining with the electric motors which do acceleration very well. The car became very efficient, the power required to maintain 155 mph is only 120 kilowatts, and we chose the smallest engine we could find in the whole company which would precisely deliver 120 kilowatts. The engine is a prototype and has never been used in a car. I believe it’s called “Engine 1″.

So now we said: “we have to build a car for it”. Next challenge: the battery. All these conversions have problems with the battery weight and size, taking a lot of space. Battery should be close to the center of gravity, so we decided to put the battery in the center tunnel.

BMWBLOG: Megacity Vehicle and Vision EfficientDynamics. What are the similarities and differences between the two vehicles?

Dr. Philip Koehn: Similarities are seen especially at the component level, like the electric drive. As a difference between the two, the electric drive sits at the front axle for VED and at the rear for the Megacity. If we look at this matter even more broadly, there are even more common aspects. So far, we built vehicles with internal combustion engines and I think we have found very reasonable solutions. Now, we look at all-electric vehicles or electric drive units and take a different approach. In a vehicle with a combustion engine, we have always used a large engine and a small gasoline tank, but in a vehicle with an electric drive, we turn the table: small electric engines, but bigger physical storage space for the battery.

Compared to the conversions we have done before (eg. MINI E and ActiveE), both the Megacity Vehicle and Vision EfficientDynamics are considered new vehicle designs optimal for electrified propulsion systems. This doesn’t mean the previous designs were wrong, but simply they were the ideal design for internal combustion engines.

Now, we write a new book and look at the ideal concept for electric vehicles. One main question is what is the best place to sit the battery underneath. The Megacity Vehicle has a larger battery than the VED, in both vehicles weighing over 100 kilograms. These masses must be accommodated with common sense: between the axles and as deep as possible. There, they are safely protected from accidents. We developed the new vehicle electric concepts around these specifications. Megacity Vehicle has a seating position right on the battery, making sense for a city car. In Vision EfficientDynamics, the battery sits between the driver and front passenger, it is also smaller allowing for a lower seating position, a flat greenhouse and good aerodynamics.

Of course, the smaller battery also has less energy stored, but in a sports car, that is not a bad thing in particular. The way a sports car moves makes the electric drive a sensible, limited solution. When high power is needed, an internal combustion engine still makes sense and that’s what we do with the Vision Concept. If you want to go sporty, only use the internal combustion engine and the electric motor can help further. The overall concept is completely different from before, but coherent.

BMWBLOG: You have mentioned there will be a sports car. Since the M1, no other real sports car was developed by BMW. Why this change of heart at this time?

Dr. Philip Koehn: For the first time in a long time, we are making a classic sports car architecture, but also let’s not discard the M3 for example. We currently have an opportunity to show that driving of the future can still be fun, even with unconventional and environmental feasible drives associated with. The vehicle brings the same longitudinal dynamics as an M3 does now, but on a different level of consumption. We believe that the future sports can be even more exciting, even when electrification of the powertrain happens.

BMWBLOG: In sports cars, exhaust sound plays and important role and can boost egos. Can that roaring sound still be achieved with this small diesel engine?

Dr. Philip Koehn: The sound of a three-cylinder is more attractive than that of a four-cylinder power unit, because the acoustic of firing the three-cylinders is very close to the six-cylinder engines. In the motorcycle market, it is no longer a secret that the three-cylinder sound can be fascinating. These are indeed gasoline engines, but our three-cylinder diesel engine sounds quite attractive as well.

Another example worth pointing out is the one of BMW 6 Series vehicles. The diesel models are perceives as attractive sport vehicles and they had an important share market in the 6er family. Of course, this is a different clientele than the M3 and probably also the Ferrari customer, but I think if the sound fits and adjusts the ride, then the car will be successful.

BMWBLOG: Compared with other sports cars, the 328 horsepower number seems relatively low. Is there room for larger engines or the concept will remain with the three-cylinder engine?

Dr. Philip Koehn: There is room, of course, but you would then move away from the original idea. The size of the engine is not technically prescribed for this car. We have many exciting challenges ahead of us and later, we will have other things to take into consideration.

BMWBLOG: Are the figures shown here today a precise preview of the production model coming out in 2014?

Dr. Philip Koehn: We have had one year of work with this study concept and therefore little time to show what it is possible. The next three to four years of product development will give us the change to look into more detail at many points. How much does the customer really drive on electric drivetrain? Does he need more or less driving range? So, there will probably be some other changes to the production vehicle.

BMWBLOG: Why the combination of electric motor on the front-axle and internal combustion engine at the rear?

Dr. Philip Koehn: Technically, the electrically-driven front axle makes sense to me because it brings the all-wheel drive. At the rear axle, I actually need only one generator load the battery. One of the interesting questions we have is if we can go without an electric engine at the rear axle, achieving the same goal, and therefore saving 30 or 40 kilograms. So the last word is yet to be spoken here.

BMWBLOG: BMW says that the range of the vehicle is around 700 kilometers and the purely electric range is around 50 kilometers. How large this range should really be?

Dr. Philip Koehn: These are some of the exciting questions that we will look at in the upcoming months. In the future, it is possible that big cities will only allow electric driving within city limits. The customer would then use the internal combustion engine only off-city limits. Then, the 50 kilometer driving range might not be useful. How large this range should really be…that’s a point we will explore further.

BMWBLOG: Vision Concept is equipped with a four-wheel drive. Is it similar to the xDrive or a completely new concept? Are there details on the power distribution?

Dr. Philip Koehn: There is a very significant difference. Today’s all-wheel drive train is a mechanical drive train, there is mechanical coupling between the front and rear axle. In the Vision Concept, this mechanical coupling is no longer possible because we have the battery built into the middle. So there is no mechanical connection front to back, but a purely electrically driven front axle and one with an internal combustion engine, and when appropriate, an electric motor driven rear axle. Very different from how xDrive works. In this case, if I want to accelerate quickly and need maximum traction, we use anyway the power of electric motor and therefore, the front axle. So, we end up in four-wheel mode.

BMWBLOG: Braking. How does it work?

Dr. Philip Koehn: With the electric motor at the front, we have the ideal conditions for kinetic energy of regenerative braking energy back into power again. This makes the brake system very exciting because we were either with the electric motors to the front brakes on or with the hydraulic brake at the rear axle. We have therefore many possibilities of how to adjust the brake balance, of course, another challenge ahead of us.

BMWBLOG: What transmission will be used in the production car?

Dr. Philip Koehn: A manual transmission will be relatively complex and requires a degree of automation, so in functionality, I see the need of a dual-clutch transmission – very dynamic, fast switching or fast switching back. The torque converter and other automatics are now so technologically advanced that we could conceivably simplify matters in this way without losing sportiness. We will have to decide what is best for the vehicle.

BMWBLOG: How will the 195mm, fairly narrow wheels, handle the power and dynamics?

Basically, if you look at the tire contact patch, the larger diameter wheels roughly have the same contact patch area as these. Lateral dynamics performance maximum lateral force limits, there won’t be too much of a difference. However, the torque from the front axle is somewhat different. The long tire contact patch will generate a different steering feedback, so this is the point we have to look at. I can imagine that in the production car we might see a slightly wider tire, but certainly not at 285 mm, more like 205-215 mm.

BMWBLOG: A curve ball now. We talk about a sports car here with 1,500 kilograms which might not be breathtaking for some of us.

Dr. Philip Koehn: The vehicle should not be mistaken for a super sports car. This would mean even less weight and a different drivetrain. The diesel/electric drive is the right direction at the moment and an eight minutes around Nordschleife is probably foreseeable in the future. A super sports car is charming, but we believe that sooner or later, these cars might not be allowed in the London congestion zone for example. The Vision Concept will not go against a Ferrari 458 on a racetrack, it was absolutely not designed for this. We really want to open up a dimension where one is socially accepted and you can enter into zones and areas where in 2013 or 2014 could possibly making difficult to allow conventional super sports cars.

BMWBLOG: Major challenges with the Vision Concept.

Dr. Philip Koehn: One, to comply with all the worldwide homologations and compliance with all safety regulations especially with the carbon fiber body. Secondly, how do we proper combine functionality of combustion engine, electric motors. How does it work smoothly, powerful? We still need some thinking in this year. 2014 is not far out and we will share more in the future.

BMW unveiled a prototype of Vision EfficientDynamics with a fully functional drivetrain. Codename “Full Runner”, the vehicle is based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study revealed last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The design is geared consistently towards aesthetic appeal and dynamic performance. The prototype is nearly unchanged from the concept, sans the new paint job. Wing doors facilitate entry to both rows of seats, with an interior design created for testing purposes by combining different parts from other BMW models.  Clearly the final interior aesthetics will be quite different.

Performance wise, the extensive aerodynamic measures reduce the drag coefficient to 0.22. The combination of a 3 cylinder 1.5 liter turbo diesel with a hybrid synchronous motor at the front axle and a full-hybrid engine at the rear axle enables an overall system output of 241 kW/328 horsepower.

The 2+2-seater is only 1.24 meters tall with a low-sitting profile resembling a supercar.

When the car goes into production, it is expected to run from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds, a performance similar to the M3. In this development stage, the Vision Concept weighs around 1,500 kgs.

Fuel consumption is measure at 3.7 liter/100km or approximately 75 MPG. The CO2 emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer has been measured using the conventional cycle.

No information on whether an M model will ever be designed and we believe that BMW’s efforts at this point are entirely focused on the Vision Concept, and its success and adoption will dictate the course for an M-specific model.

[Photos: Max Kirchbauer ]

Being more transparent than ever, BMW and its engineers revealed most of the technical details of the Vision Concept. The series car will continue to use the combination of a 3 cylinder 1.5 liter turbo diesel with a hybrid synchronous motor at the front axle and a full-hybrid engine at the rear axle. The output of this unique combination? 241 kW or 328 horsepower, less horsepower than the current M3, but with similar performance and off-the-chart fuel economy numbers: 75 MPG or 3.7 liter/100km for our European readers.

When the car goes into production, it is expected to run from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds. In this development stage, the Vision Concept weighs around 1,500 kgs. The CO2 emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer, measured using the conventional cycle, turn the Vision Concept into one of the most fuel efficient hybrid vehicles, and not only.

With its 24 liter diesel tank and the two electric motors, BMW expects a total driving range of up to 700 kilometers. Even better, the hybrid sports car gives zero-emissions motoring when running on electric motors with an expected range of 50 kilometers.

The Vision Concept is built by BMW’s Project i program and just as the upcoming Megacity Vehicle, its body structure is manufactured out of carbon fiber. The front-end and rear will make use of aluminum materials to handle the mandatory car crash regulation.

In person, the Concept is as silent as any other electric car, but the diesel engine gives that roar sound we came to love in a BMW. It is hard to tell at the moment how the final car would sound or behave, but BMW is full-speed ahead in the development of what they imagine as being their next supersports car.

The event took place near the BMW plant in Leipzig and selected journalists were invited to experience the car as co-pilots. The adventure begins with a short driving demonstration of the electric drivetrain, followed by two straight lines where the 3 cylinder 1.5 liter diesel engine shows it capabilities.

The car currently uses 60% of its full capacity, yet plenty of power to show its sporty capabilities. The Vision Full Runner easily reached 90 mph.

Our full report will be coming up, along with a more detailed explanation on why BMW is going to use narrower tires for this car.

Our first co-ride impressions and what we learned about the Vision Concept are coming up shortly, but before that, let’s recap some of the main points and also see some exclusive photos from the event.

The 2+2-seater is only 1.24 meters tall and embraces the characteristic of a BMW. The design is geared consistently towards aesthetic appeal and dynamic performance. Wing doors facilitate entry to both rows of seats, while extensive aerodynamic measures reduce the drag coefficient to 0.22. The combination of a 3 cylinder 1.5 liter turbo diesel with a hybrid synchronous motor at the front axle and a full-hybrid engine at the rear axle enables an overall system output of 241 kW/328 horsepower.

When the car goes into production, it is expected to run from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds, a performance similar to the M3. Not announced in the press release, but revealed to BMWBLOG today is the weight of the car. In this development stage, the Vision Concept weighs around 1,500 kgs.

Fuel consumption is measure at 3.7 liter/100km or approximately 75 MPG. The CO2 emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer has been measured using the conventional cycle.

With its 24 liter diesel tank and the two electric motors, BMW expects a total driving range of up to 700 kilometers. Despite the 2013 date being thrown around, we learned that the car is about three to four years away from production, so we predict a launch date in late 2014.

More information, exclusive news, photos and interviews in our upcoming articles. Stay tuned!

BMW Vision Concept was the star of the Frankfurt international motor show IAA in 2009: a four-seater sports car with charismatic design, fascinating performance figures and unsurpassed efficiency, powered by BMW ActiveHybrid technology and presented under the title BMW Vision EfficientDynamics. With its wide range of completely or virtually production-ready components, this concept study met with an overwhelming response. There was a widespread desire to put the car on the road, and the realization of this desire is moving considerably closer. At the Leipzig trade fair center BMW is presenting a fully road-ready technology showcase vehicle based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study.

BMW sees the concept as the best example of how future sports car should look like: light, efficient, and more important, fast, despite the lower number of horsepower.

The beautiful VED will be built at the Leipzig plant. According to a BMW executive, the total volume we should expect varies between 5,000 and 10,000 units.

Press Release: It was the star of the Frankfurt international motor show IAA in 2009: a four-seater sports car with charismatic design, fascinating performance figures and unsurpassed efficiency, powered by BMW ActiveHybrid technology and presented under the title BMW Vision EfficientDynamics. With its wide range of completely or virtually production-ready components, this concept study met with an overwhelming response.

There was a widespread desire to put the car on the road, and the realization of this desire is moving considerably closer. At the Leipzig trade fair center BMW is presenting a fully road-ready technology showcase vehicle based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study. This presentation will give media representatives their first ever opportunity to find out what it is like to drive the 2+2-seater car powered by an innovative hybrid system.

The concept study BMW Vision EfficientDynamics represents the future of driving pleasure. Since its world premiere at the IAA 2009 it has received several awards both for its futuristic design and its ground-breaking engine technology. Just 1.24 metres high, the 2+2-seater takes up the characteristic BMW shaping style, geared consistently towards aesthetic appeal and dynamic performance. Wing doors facilitate entry to both rows of seats, while extensive aerodynamic measures reduce the drag coefficient to 0.22.

The combination of a 3-cylinder turbo diesel with a hybrid synchronous motor at the front axle and a full-hybrid engine at the rear axle enables an overall system output of 241 kW/328 bhp. The innovative design of the BMW ActiveHybrid technology allows performance figures at the level of a sports car, with just 4.8 seconds required for the sprint from zero to 100 km/h – with an average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle (KV01) of 3.76 litters/100 kilometers, equal to 75.1 mpg imp, and a CO2 emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer (1,3 l/100km and 33g CO2/km; EU-PHEV ECE-R101).

This unique relation between dynamic performance and efficiency derives from the high level of efficiency of all engine components as well as intelligent linking of the power output of the three engines, as well as precisely controlled energy management including brake energy regeneration. What is more, the study BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is conceived as a so-called plug-in hybrid. The lithium-polymer rechargeable battery housed centrally in a longitudinal chassis element and designed specially for this hybrid sports car can be fully charged at a conventional power socket within just two and half hours. The use of electrical energy alone permits zero-emissions motoring with a range of some 50 kilometres, while a 24-litre diesel tank extends the total action radius of the vehicle to up to 700 kilometres.

By developing a sports car based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study for serial production, the Munich-based premium automobile manufacturer underscores its position as a global leader in the production of sporty vehicles with exemplary efficiency. All current models are fitted as standard with extensive measures for the reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The innovations used for this purpose are based on the development strategy BMW EfficientDynamics, which also includes BMW ActiveHybrid technology as well as purely electrical drive systems. With the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, two serial production vehicles have already been launched in which a BMW-specific combination of combustion and electric drive results in an especially efficient increase in the driving dynamics so characteristic of the brand.

The BMW Group is also undertaking extensive field tests in regular traffic, which after the MINI E will soon include the BMW ActiveE, so as to prepare for serial production of a purely electrically powered model which is to be produced at the BMW plant in Leipzig from 2013 as the Megacity Vehicle.

At the same time, the current technology showcase vehicle being presented to mark the expansion of the BMW Leipzig plant not only demonstrates the consistent further development of BMW ActiveHybrid as a drive concept. It also highlights the expertise of the BMW Group in the integrated development of vehicle concepts which are geared towards the principles of BMW EfficientDynamics in every detail. Like the Megacity Vehicle, the sports car based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics study is an example of how future-oriented mobility opens up fascinating perspectives in combination with the driving pleasure characteristic of BMW.

[Source: BMW]

But not only the quantity will account for its exclusivity, the rumored price of 125000-175000 euro will make it even more special.
The car falls under the umbrella of Project i, therefore AutoBild believes the Vision Concept will be relabeled as BMW i100 or i1. The car will be delivered just as the concept car with two auxiliary seats in the rear, but the focus is naturally on the front seats.

Just like the MegaCity Vehicle, the sporty 2 +2 seater makes extensive use of carbon fiber. The crash structures at the front and rear suspension, just as with MCV, are made of aluminum. The outcome is expected to be a very lightweight car, in line with the Project i philosophy and sustainability.

For propulsion, a turbocharged three-cylinder internal combustion engine is said to provide 184 hp, aided by two electric motors, each with 95 hp. The performance of the engines would be distributed to all four wheels and is designed to accelerate to 62 mph in about four seconds.

Consumption numbers are extraordinary for a car of this type, rumors say 4.0 liters per 100 kilometers, equivalent of 59 mpg.

According to the same publication, the M Division is looking into producing an M-variant of this car as well, but with a more powerful engine producing 450 horsepower. The engine could be bororwed from the next generation M3, a straight-six powerplant. Even if the weight is likely to be higher than the standard model, breathtaking performance would be inevitable.

Stay tuned next week for an exclusive report by BMWBLOG, more details soon!

The Vision Concept made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 and it is scheduled to go in production in 2013. According to our sources, the car is currently being tested with fully operative drivetrain consisting of an three-cylinder diesel engine and two electric motors.

The car continues down the path of entering into production sometimes in the future and BMW sees the concept as the best example of how future sports car should look like: light, efficient, and more important, fast, despite the lower number of horsepower.

The beautiful VED will be built at the Leipzig plant. Some German magazines reported that initially, the VED production car will be powered by a combustion engine.

At a later date, the hybrid version of the same car will follow.

According to a BMW executive, the total volume continues we should expect varies between 5,000 and 10,000 units.

Stay tuned for some exclusive news coming up in the next two weeks! In the mean time, feel free to join our Facebook Fan Page and share your own artwork or BMWs.

Today, German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport, quoting sources close to BMW, confirm our initial assumptions. The beautiful VED goes in production in 2013 and will be built at the Leipzig plant.

The interesting news come from powerplant used in the first models. According to the same magazine, initially, the VED production car will be powered by a combustion engine.

At a later date, the hybrid version of the same car will follow. The powertrain which has been heavily tested this summer will be using a three-cylinder 1.5 liter engine, aided by two electric motors.

Rendering by MotorAuthority and Schulte Design

The intelligent combination of these units, together with precisely controlled energy management, simultaneously enhances the dynamic performance and the efficiency of the car. Overall system output is 356 horsepower, and peak torque is 590 lb-ft.

According to a BMW executive, the total volume continues we should expect varies between 5,000 and 10,000 units.

While we don’t anticipate seeing the car at the Paris Motor Show, we expect full details, photos, videos and even reviews to hit the web on Thursday, September 30th. Most likely an extensive press release will tell us there is to know about the car.

Today, the now famous DontBlogAboutThis marketing campaign gives us more teaser photos, this time, the beautiful lights seen on the VED Concept.