BMW is going hybrid! The German brand has confirmed the production 7-series and X6 ActiveHybrids will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Powertrain information is speculative but both hybrids will most likely use a small 15kW electric motor integrated into the transmission housing. Meanwhile, petrol power comes from a 4,4-litre turbocharged V8 with around 300 kW.
A KERS-style (Kinetic Energy Regeneration System) regenerative braking system will charge the lithium-ion battery, allowing it to power the electrics when the petrol engine is not running.
BMW claims that efficiency improvements of around 15-20 per cent will be seen on these hybrid models compared with their petrol counterparts.
Adapted from AutoExpress
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December 4th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Trend is supported by the Asian Fact: the competition for the remaining world oil, driving its price upwards as Asians progress, expand! Diesel/electrics with Mercedes blue TEC type engines probably not far off in America, and in smaller lighter cars leaving some metal structures behind for light weight, low fuel consumption. Americans will soon have reality check as dollar falls through the floors of the cellars of Hell, and oil will certainly soar! Gold at $1200.00 / oz. not a bubble but and indicator of the relative value of the dollar after the “Printing Spree”, and still climbs against oil, the other, “Black Gold” much to OPEC’s chagrin! BMW think Diesel, think Diesel/Electric! Think light weight! Think thinning Americans, and general American “Downsizing” out of necessity! Dollar no longer commands 80% of worlds resources but must share now with the Yuan, the new uncrowned world currency of trade, soon to displace the over-manipulated, over printed fiat dollar. The comeuppance is now in America! Unemployment reaching breaking points and government helplessly broke and unable to intervene! Time for the well heeled to pull back to reasonably economic cars, before the next run on oil hits.