BMW's ActiveHybrids Focus on Performance Rather Than Outright Fuel Economy
chewy submitted on 8/12/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 9:25:56 PM
18 user comments | Category: New Cars | Source: | SOURCE: killwithfire.blogspot.com
BMW has released the full scoop on its long anticipated pair of ActiveHybrids.
As expected BMW has decided to not sacrifice performance in the name of fuel economy. The new ActiveHybrids will deliver equivalent if not better performance than their non-hybrid siblings, while delivering 15 to 20% better fuel economy. Both the X6 and 7 Series hybrids use the 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 as the basis of the hybrid system. The X6 is a dual mode hybrid using technology developed with GM, Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz, used on vehicles such as the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. The X6 uses two electric motors which combined with the turbo V8 results in 480 total horsepower and a huge amount of torque, 575 lb-ft to be exact. The 7 series uses a simpler hybrid system that places a smaller 20 horsepower electric motor between the V8 and a new 8 speed automatic transmission.
Read Article