How About The Full Scoop On BMW's New 7 Series Hybrid!

BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid: The BMW of hybrids

As an integral part of the BMW EfficientDynamics strategy, the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid previews the potential of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in a luxury sedan. In typical BMW fashion, this new concept car combines a significant reduction of fuel consumption and emissions with a level of driving dynamics never seen before even in this class of hybrid cars.

The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is an intelligent symbiosis of BMW's new twin-turbo V8 engine and electric drive as a mild hybrid concept. A compact electric motor, integrated into the transmission housing, replaces the conventional alternator as well as the starter. Power to run all electrics on-board the car is generated by means of Brake Energy Regeneration. The combination of internal combustion engine and electric motor take the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8's already potent 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque and supplies an additional 20 horsepower and up to 155 lb-ft of torque as needed. The drivetrain technology featured in the concept car allows enhanced driving dynamics together with a reduction of fuel consumption and emissions by 15 percent in the EU test cycle compared to the same car running on a combustion engine alone. At the same time the use of BMW ActiveHybrid technology does not require any compromises in driving qualities and features of the BMW 7 Series.

Energy is stored in a compact lithium-ion battery housed in the luggage compartment. An Auto Start Stop function helps to ensure optimum efficiency in all driving situations.

The hybrid technology showcased in the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is perfectly suited to the new benchmark in the full-sized performance luxury sedan segment just as the two-mode hybrid technology used in the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid, also on display in Los Angeles, is well matched to the world's first Sports Activity Coupe.

Whelan - 11/19/2008 3:44:06 PM

-3 Boost

If they wanna do something stellar and off the scope, why not finally introduce that Hydrogen 7 they have been working on forever. You know the 2 generation old 7 series that they play with. Drop that powerplant into a 7 and call it the 700Hi. Then I will applaud.

Chip - 11/19/2008 5:16:12 PM

+3 Boost

I'm sorry, is there a Hydrogen filling station in your area?

theoptimisticpessimist - 11/19/2008 6:37:47 PM

+3 Boost

It's been out and available in California for a few months now. It beat the Honda hydrogen car to the market.

528i - 11/19/2008 5:06:39 PM

+2 Boost

Now hybrid is the shit, becuase BMW is doing it.

synx - 11/19/2008 8:33:26 PM

+1 Boost

The car in that pic looks really cool under cover. Like the A5 that we saw earlier

Whelan - 11/20/2008 9:33:15 AM

0 Boost

Well since the oil industry is not investing in Hydrogen Chip, why not get the auto manufacturers to start building the infrastructure. Who says you have to go get fuel from Sunoco or BP. Why not pull into a GM or Toyota station and fillup.

Whelan - 11/20/2008 9:35:10 AM

0 Boost

Not to mention its your thought process that has hindered this development. The 'oh but we dont have any yet'. Well then make some noise and get something done about it. Instead of sitting around taking what is fed to you.

And if people wanna get on about Diesel power. Once I can start up my diesel on a bitterly cold day and drive off within a few moments of starting, without the long warmup times, then we have something.