BMW X6 Hybrid production ready spotted in Munich

The final production version of the first all-wheel-drive hybrid from BMW, the X6, was spotted in the beautiful Munich. While the concept was officially unveiled at the L.A Auto Show last year in November, the production model has been seen around still carrying some minor camouflage. We already learned that the BMW X6 Hybrid along with 7 Series Hybrid will be launched at the end of this year.

The BMW X6 Hybrid is a two-mode hybrid based on an 8-cylinder gasoline engine which has been custom-made to meet the requirements of an SAV. The newer, greener X6 will utilize the dual-mode ActiveHybrid system, which has discrete modes for high-torque, low speed driving as well as for high-speed cruises.

The system uses a modular hybrid system which can be adapted to many different engine/vehicle combination, as opposed to a design-specific petrol engine/hybrid combination, which sees wider use in the automotive industry.

The two-mode hybrid uses about 20 percent less fuel than than a comparable vehicle with combustion engine. 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. And second, if our sources are correct, then the BMW X6 Hybrid will feature the Start/Stop technology.
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Wimmer - 5/16/2009 6:17:58 AM

+5 Boost

Cool! My pictures made it to Autospies! :-p

david999 - 5/16/2009 12:19:40 PM

+5 Boost

Nice shots.

Wimmer - 5/16/2009 1:22:34 PM

+5 Boost

Thanks!

Bmw8ter - 5/16/2009 8:01:52 AM

+3 Boost

Why do I get this feeling that all of the people that crucified GM and Toyota for the use of NIMH batteries, aren't going to say a d*mn thing about this application?

dhkss2002 - 5/16/2009 1:04:20 PM

+1 Boost

A slice of environmentally friendly ugliness.

sector - 5/16/2009 10:57:15 PM

-1 Boost

ah zi Germans are finally gettin' with the program

diesel = pollutes just as much and just as expensive as gasoline

quizz - 5/17/2009 12:58:46 PM

0 Boost

Paradoxical - buying a pseudo-SUV and paying extra for sport/performance but making it a hybrid to save gas which neuters the sport/performance and you're left with a slow but stylish SUV whose fuel efficiency is still worse than a 535i? I don't get it.

clientadvisor - 5/19/2009 11:59:34 AM

+1 Boost

Please do some research on the new diesel engines. They are actually cleaner than any Hybrid. The toxic emmisions are removed before they come out of the exhaust, while the hybrids still have the same regular gasoline exhaust coming out of the tail pipe. Any BMW diesel is cleaner and greener than a Prius or this new X6. The price of diesel being the same as Premium, is negligible since the mileage on a new 335d is +36 MPG - makes up for the price at the pump, and is more convenient for less stops to fill up. In fact on the cleanliness factor, the air coming into a diesel in LA or New York is more toxic than the exhaust from the diesel. Thats right in several American cities the air is cleaner from the exhaust pipe of a new diesel than the air we breath!

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More Tech Data
This independent, non-partisan study of the Vehicle Fleet Carbon Burden of all
vehicles operating in the United States between 1990 and 2005 concluded
that BMW has contributed far more than all other manufacturers in reducing
fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and makes specific reference to the
positive results of BMW EfficientDynamics.
Now, introducing Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance as part of BMW
EfficientDynamics, BMW seeks to continue the progress described in the
Environmental Defense Report well into the future, with the same intensity and
impact.
Most advanced exhaust gas management:
SCR catalyst with AdBlue injection.
To optimize emission management, Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance
incorporates an oxidation catalyst placed just downstream of the exhaust
manifold, a diesel particulates filter housed in the same unit and an SCR
catalyst with the urea injection. In addition to filtering out even the smallest
particles from the flow of exhaust gases, this combination ensures effective
reduction of nitric oxides (NOX) by way of a chemical reaction within the
exhaust system initiated by the injection of a small dose of urea referred to as
AdBlue. The ammonia (NH3) generated in this process within the SCR catalyst
subsequently converts the nitric oxides (NO and, respectively, NO2) in the
exhaust gas into environmentally compatible nitrogen (N2) and vapor (H2O).

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Reviews
"As for the car's handling, you can expect the same great balance that has become a 3 series trademark. It turns crisply and remains stable throughout all types of tricky corners."
"While its performance on the high-speed straights was impressive, effortlessly cruising at its 131-mph top speed, it absolutely shined on the twisty stuff."
"It offers gobs of performance with great fuel economy."

Road & Track January 2009
Read the full review at RoadandTrack.com