(continued from above)
The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 represents the next stage in the ongoing evolution of
BMW EfficientDynamics. It's newly developed hybrid components that are combined
with a BMW TwinPower Turbo inline-6 and 8-speed automatic transmission for the
first time, and innovative functions for improved efficiency as well as driving
enjoyment. At the same time it broaches yet another market segment, taking BMW's
hybrid development work another step forward.
Its drive system generates combined output of 335 hp allows the car to be driven
on electric power alone up to 37 mph (60 km/h) for 2.5 miles (4 km), and
accelerates the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds
(preliminary). The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 will arrive as a 2012 model in US
showrooms, March 2012 with a base MSRP of $61,845 (including $895 destination
and handling).
The 300 hp inline-6 with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology in the BMW ActiveHybrid
5 is the same engine well-known for its free-revving capability, pulling power
and efficiency in the BMW 535i. The electric motor develops 54 hp and is
supplied with energy by a high-performance lithium-ion battery housed in the
trunk.
A harmonious blend of power from the two drive systems ensures that the BMW
ActiveHybrid 5 boasts not only the sportiest performance in its market segment
but also a significant improvement in efficiency. Its full-hybrid drive system
enables driving on purely electric power which means emission-free driving in
urban conditions.
In order to fully exploit the potential of the BMW ActiveHybrid technology, the
power electronics in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 uses a host of technologies to
ensure the drive system runs at peak efficiency. The high-performance
lithium-ion battery is recharged when the car is coasting or braking. The
electric motor acts as a generator feeding energy into the high-voltage battery.
By contrast, under acceleration, the electric motor takes on a boost function
assisting the inline-6 by generating an extra burst of power, giving the sedan's
sporty driving character a noticeably sharper edge.
Integrated into the standard Driving Dynamics Control is an ECO PRO mode. It
provides a relaxed and fuel-efficient driving style by tailoring the driving
systems for maximum efficiency, including making more frequent use of
all-electric mode. In ECO PRO mode, the combustion engine can be switched off
and fully decoupled while coasting at speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h). This
coasting mode combines comfortable driving with optimum utilization of the
kinetic energy already generated. To avoid periods with the engine running at
idle - at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic, for example - the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is equipped with a hybrid start-stop function. Plus, the power
electronics in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 are linked up with the standard navigation
system. This allows proactive analysis of driving conditions based on the
selected route. This enables the drive components to be primed to deliver
maximum efficiency (the effect may vary according to the quality of the
available navigation data).
All the hybrid-specific components of the drive technology and energy management
systems have been developed specially for use in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. Both
the electric motor and the air conditioning compressor are powered exclusively
by the lithium-ion high-voltage battery, via the high-voltage electrical system.
This allows a pleasant interior climate to be maintained even when the internal
combustion engine is switched off - i.e. when the car is at a standstill,
operating purely on electric power or in coasting mode. All of the new hybrid
components are designed with durability to last the life of the vehicle.
2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 (interior, fuel consumption graph)
BMW ActiveHybrid 5: Review (2/2)