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BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid

turbox submitted on 09/22/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 9:49 AM
from: itwildcats.net

[12] user comments | category: New Cars

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Tags: BMW, Concept, 7, Series, ActiveHybrid

Tag Links: BMW, Concept, 7, Series, ActiveHybrid

BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid

World debut of the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid for the first time offering the potential of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in the luxury saloon segment as part of the BMW EfficientDynamics innovation strategy. In typical BMW style, this new Concept Car combines a significant reduction of fuel consumption and emissions with a standard of driving dynamics never seen before even in this class of hybrid cars.

• The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid comes with an intelligent symbiosis of the V8 cylinder petrol engine and electric drive as a mild hybrid concept. The drivetrain technology featured in the Concept Car allows enhanced driving dynamics together with a reduction of fuel consumption and emissions by 15 per cent in the EU test cycle versus the same car running on a combustion engine only. And at the same time the use of BMW ActiveHybrid technology does not require any concessions in terms of everyday driving qualities and the specific features of the BMW 7 Series.

• The Concept Car offers the ideal synthesis of motoring comfort, visual presence and supremacy of the BMW 7 Series, on the one hand, combined with future-oriented, high-efficiency BMW ActiveHybrid technology, on the other. This provides the option to enrich the sheer driving pleasure so typical of the BMW brand by the additional highlights and fortes of BMW ActiveHybrid. Implementation of such technologies in a luxury performance saloon of this caliber leads to a new perception of hybrid technology as such: In the configuration developed by BMW hybrid technology ensures a significant increase in efficiency without in any way giving up the high standard of driving dynamics, motoring safety and comfort so typical of the brand.

Technical highlights:

• The drivetrain of the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is made up of a V8 gasoline engine with Twin Turbo and High Precision Injection based on the power unit of the BMW 750i. Maximum output of the conventional engine in the regular production model is 300 kW/407 hp, with peak torque of 600 Newton-meters or 442 lb-ft.

Now this superior engine is combined with an electric motor fully integrated in the transmission housing, developing maximum output of 15 kW/20 hp and peak torque of 210 Newton-metres/155 lb-ft. So with the mild hybrid concept, the electric motor boosts the dynamic driving potential of the eight-cylinder gasoline engine in a unique manner most appropriate for the character of the BMW 7 Series, giving the car even more dynamic acceleration.

• Using Brake Energy Regeneration, the electric motor supplies electric power to the power-consuming items on board the car, minimising the direct conversion of fuel into electrical energy and maximising the drive power available for enhanced driving dynamics.

• T he V8 power unit offers ideal features for a concept focusing on both driving dynamics and efficiency all in one. It is the only eight-cylinder gasoline engine in the world with its turbochargers arranged conveniently in the V-space between the two rows of cylinders, and at the same time it is the most efficient engine in its class.

• The hybrid components developed for the Concept Car are based on technology created by BMW and Daimler in their cooperation on hybrid drive systems. In this joint venture the two manufacturers have successfully developed components for hybrid drive including the power electronics and high-voltage batteries. Naturally, the hybrid drive system featured by BMW offers all the characteristics and highlights typical of the brand.

• BMW ActiveHybrid is based on a modular concept following the “Best of Hybrid“ strategy and in each case integrating the best components for different vehicle segments. The components featured in the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid – the mild hybrid transmission and the eight-cylinder petrol engine – supplement each other in the same ideal manner as the full hybrid transmission and the eight-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid.

• The compact electric motor integrated in the transmission housing replaces the conventional alternator driven by the engine as well as the starter. Electrical energy is generated through Brake Energy Regeneration with a unique degree of efficiency and without in any way impairing the drive power of the engine itself. Integrated power electronics, in turn, ensure compact design within dimensions never seen before, as well as safe and secure arrangement of all hybrid components.

A high-performance lithium-ion battery integrated in the luggage compartment in accordance with the package of the car saves the energy generated and supplies power to the on-board network. Through its high storage capacity, the battery makes full use of Brake Energy Regeneration with its particular potential.

• Thanks to the higher degree of electric power provided in this way, additional functions in the car are run completely under the electric power supply. The Auto Start Stop function preventing the combustion engine from running in the idle mode is particularly helpful and comfort-oriented in this case thanks to the combination with ActiveHybrid technology. Exterior design:

• T he BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid demonstrates the integration of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in the BMW 7 Series luxury saloon. All hybrid components are fitted and arranged according to the car’s specific package. The electric motor and the power electronics are integrated in the transmission housing, where they cannot even be seen from outside. A specially designed trough in the luggage compartment made of aluminum accommodates the compact lithium-ion battery.

• The front end of the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid boasts the natural presence so typical of the 7 Series, enhanced in particular by the large, upright BMW kidney grille. A specific feature of the Concept Car is the aluminum band stretching across the entire width of the front end beneath the numberplate and serving to provide a controlled flow of air in the interest of optimum aerodynamics.

• T he lower air intake scoop is covered in the middle by this aluminum band, the openings to the left and right reflecting the contours of the headlights just above and split horizontally by the aluminum band tapering out towards the sides.

• The foglamps fitted at the extreme edge of the air intake openings are made up in each case of seven LED light units.

• Seen from the side, the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is further enhanced in its sporting and elegant look by 20-inch light-alloy rims in V-spoke design. The rims are finished in body color, the Blue Water Metallic paintwork on the car and rims serving as a particular sign of distinction for BMW’s maximum-efficiency Concept Cars.

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B7FAN - 9/22/2008 11:48:47 AM

+4 Boost

this car is going to be super efficient I would like to see it pair up with the Lexus LS460 hybrid but I think this will definitley be a performer even though its a hybrid.

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ghosthunter - 9/22/2008 12:05:41 PM

-5 Boost

like any mild hybrid is actually efficient. especially by borrowing a Honda civic 15 kW/20 hp electric motor and use it on 7 series.

just out of curiosity, did bmw and merc actually developed this motor? or did they just reverse engineered civic hybrid and toyota prius, only to find out the full hybrid system used in 5 years old toyota is too hard to achieve so they decide to copy cat the civic motor?

Hyundai - 9/22/2008 11:52:51 AM

+2 Boost

Of course the car is going to be efficient; it has the word plastered allover its body.

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CLK63BlackSeries - 9/22/2008 12:17:51 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

LMFAO!

dumpsty - 9/22/2008 12:33:15 PM

+2 Boost

Interesting. The language they use to describe the powertrain is like the design had never been discussed. And the went on to say that it was jointly developed with Daimler (but not GM). Isn't their "electric motor fully integrated in the transmission housing" a variation of the 2-mode transmission developed with GM? I guess mentioning GM would definitely "cheapen" the whole concept.

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dumpsty - 9/22/2008 12:35:14 PM

+5 Boost

But I will add that I am impressed. Using this "mild hybrid" system in the 7-series is slick & I can't wait to see the fuel ratings for it.

JRobUSC - 9/22/2008 1:30:06 PM

+5 Boost

The article says BMW is expecting a 15% economy boost. I seriously wish they'd have paired the hybrid with the diesel engine out of the 330d or 335d for the 7-Series. A 730/735dH or whatever would have been perfect. It could have gotten 35mpg+, would have had excellent performance, and would have filled a market niche BMW wasn't in already. The problem with making a hybrid out of the V8 is the same as the LS600h -- the "normal" version is good enough to make the much more expensive hybrid version a waste. If the regular 750 gets 17-18mpg and does 0-60 in 5.0 seconds, how many people will care enough to spend thousands more for a hybrid version that does 0-60 in 4.9 seconds and gets 20-21mpg? But someone who really cared about fuel economy would probably have thought long and hard about a 35mpg+ diesel hybrid that still manages to get to 60 in 6 seconds. That could have been huge.

mpls - 9/22/2008 4:06:43 PM

-1 Boost

Is making a diesel hybrid that hard ? maybe not..

I thunk it actually boils down to the cost of diesel vs petrol (gasoline in US). diesel cars cost more in UK, so does diesel over petrol.. it may take a few years before you even breakeven over petrol.. also if you do a certain number of miles per year.. so in reality.. does diesel really pay off ??

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dumpsty - 9/23/2008 3:05:33 PM

+1 Boost

I agree. Until recently, you could get diesel for more than $1.25 less than petrol in the US. When diesel prices shot up to much more than the rising cost of petrol, that effectively killed a lot of diesel-electric hybrid plans.

JRobUSC - 9/23/2008 7:41:00 PM

+1 Boost

diesel is only $0.20 more gallon than premium gas right now. That's less than 5%. At its worst a few months ago it was 15%. If the fuel economy bump is 30-35%, as it is with most diesels, and then you get another 15% on top of that from a hybrid system, you now have a vehicle that gets 55% better fuel economy than that gas version, with either no loss of performance, or even a performance gain.

I think a lot of people would overlook 5-15% extra in fuel costs for something like that. I know I would, especially since gas-hybrids (I'm talking the performance-oriented Lexus versions like the RX400h, LS600h and GS, not the Prius-type hybrids) have been tested and shown to offer virtually no fuel economy gain over the regular gas-only versions.

synx - 9/23/2008 12:29:21 AM

+1 Boost

I think that Hydogen-Electric hybrids will be the future. This combines the efficiency of electric motors(cheap to run) and the clean burning hydrogen fuels (because hydrogen is expensive).

Diesel hybrid...interesting. Probably a decent idea.

reply to this comment

Autoegr525 - 9/23/2008 9:25:36 PM

+2 Boost

Here is a hybrid I would be interested in. None of the weirdness of electric motor launches, just a twin turbo V8 with 15 percent better fuel economy and a bit more power.

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