BMW releases first details for Concept 7-Series ActiveHybrid
Source:
MotorAuthority
Next month’s Paris Motor Show will see Mercedes-Benz and BMW go head-to-head in the hybrid stakes, with both carmakers scheduled to unveil advanced petrol-electric versions of their respective flagship saloons at the upcoming show. Mercedes released the first details for its S400 BlueHYBRID last week, and confirmed the car for a mid-2009 launch date.
BMW has now followed up with first details for its own Concept 7-Series ActiveHybrid, which joins the previous Vision EfficientDynamics diesel-hybrid based on the X5 and the original BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid from 2007.
While Mercedes’ S400 BlueHYBRID features an electric drive system mated to a 3.5L V6 powerplant, BMW’s new Concept 7-Series ActiveHybrid is based around the 4.4L V8 750i model. The concept car features the standard 407hp and 442lb-ft V8 powerplant mated to a 20hp and 155lb-ft electric motor.
Compared with the non-hybrid model, the new ActiveHybrid is said to improve fuel-economy by up to 15%. Mercedes, meanwhile, claims that its S400 BlueHYBRID runs 21% more efficiently than the standard S350.
The new hybrid will feature BMW’s version of the modular two-mode hybrid system jointly developed with Daimler, Chrysler and General Motors. The system features a pair of electric motors located within the transmission and can provide electric only drive at low speeds or act as a performance booster at high load.
While the Paris show car remains a concept only, the production 7-series hybrid is expected to go on sale late next year or in early 2010.
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