Bimmer has understood the importance and power of an hybrid vehicle in the future automotive world. Keeping that in mind, they rolled out Activehybrid X6, their first hybrid vehicle in 2010, and they came out with Activehybrid 7 in 2011.
Both the hybrid vehicles are performance oriented, well-equipped and most importantly environment conscious.
Of course, the high price tag of the Bimmers can put some users off, specially the ones from non-business class.
Let us quickly try and understand the nitty gritty of these two world class hybrids.
X6 Hybrid
BMW X6 hybrid is a mid-size luxury SUV, which debuted in 2010. The model is performance focused and is extremely well equipped with latest amenities.
It comes equipped with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine coupled with two electric motors integrated into the gear system.
The gasoline engine along with the electric motors together can generate a massive 480 hp of horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. The superpower engine comes mated to a seven-speed automatic unit with manual shift gearbox.
The 0-60 time is amazing at 5.4 seconds and the gas economy too is commendable, with 17 mpg on city roads and 19 mpg on highways.
On the downside, we feel the cargo space is cramped and the rear visibility is not that great either, but that is just about it – the bad part pretty much ends there!
And yes, we forgot the steep price range will again be a drawback for most of the hopeful users. While, at an MSRP tag of $88,900, the hybrid SUV be can be a darling of a vehicle for the business class users, it can pinch the pockets of those who’re not willing to cough out more than $50k.
New BMW Activehybrid 7
If you have more than $100,000 and you want a stylish top end hybrid car, the new 2011 ActiveHybrid 7 is the model for you.
Exciting and unique driving experience, along with a V12 like performance and V6 like gas economy are some of the traits of this killer of a vehicle.
The large luxurious sedan comes in two distinct variants namely 750i and the extended-wheel base version 750Li.
The hybrid’s engine is a mix of a 4.4 liter V8 turbocharged and an electric motor, which is powered by a trunk-mounted lithium-ion battery. Together they pump out a mind boggling horsepower of 455hp and torque of 515lb-ft. The power is routed to the rear wheels by an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
It sprints from 0-60 mph in flat 4.7 seconds. The combined gas economy touches 20 mpg mark.
There is not much of a difference between the two trim levels and hence their price tags too don’t vary much. 750i has a price tag of $102,300 and 750Li comes at an MSRP of $106,200.
To the line of high end hybrids of Bimmers, join two more up class hybrids; BMW Activehybrid 3 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5. Both the models are released as 2012 editions. Let us get up close with the two new sensations.
ActiveHybrid 3
The new 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 gets a N55 330hp turbocharged 6 cylinder engine, which is coupled with a 55hp electric motor, making the entire arrangement as a hybrid system. Together they generate 335hp and 330lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to an all new 8 speed automatic gearbox.
Only on the battery power, the vehicle can run up to 2 miles with a highest speed of 37mph.
The US EPA details are not yet revealed, but as per European EPA numbers the vehicle offers 36.7mpg combined. Though the vehicle is a hybrid model, the performance is as good as a normal 335i edition. The vehicle is likely to hit the showrooms by the 4th quarter of 2012.
ActiveHybrid 5
This is a yet another new entrant in the ActiveHybrid line. Under the hood of the new 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is a 3.0liter turbocharged 6 cylinder engine, which will be coupled with 40killowatt electric motor. The engine offers 340hp and 450Nm of torque.
With the electric motor alone the vehicle can travel at modest speeds and for high speeds the engine can be switched to the mechanical mode, but to get the most out of the vehicle both the engines are to be combined.
The vehicle can be driven on electrical mode at a top speed of 60 km/hr.
The top speed of the vehicle is 250 km/hr and it can sprint from 0-100km/hr in 5.9 seconds, which is outstanding for a heavy hybrid like this one.
The above discussed BMW Activehybrid models are indeed likely to set the trend of hybrids in the high end luxury cum performance focused section of the vehicles.
 BMW X6 Rear View |
 X6 Front View |
 X6 Interior |
 Activehybrid 7 Front View |
 New 7 Series Hybrid |
 Activehybrid 7 Side View |
 2012 ActiveHybrid 3 Side View |
 2012 ActiveHybrid 3 Wheel |
 2012 ActiveHybrid 3 |
 ActiveHybrid 5 Engine |
 ActiveHybrid 5 Rear View |
 ActiveHybrid 5 Side View |
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