Another interesting take on an embedded transmission based hybrid drivetrain.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Jan. 14, 2011
At the 2012 NAIAS, BMW released the much anticipated price for its all-new 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 at $61,845 including $895 D&H.
Based on the BMW 535i Sedan, the ActiveHybrid 5 brings together BMW’s 3.0L TwinPower Turbo I6, an electric drive system mated between the 8-speed automatic transmission and the ICE and for the first time for a combined output of 335 HP. All of which gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 a nice balance of performance and fuel economy for a performance/luxury sedan.
BMW’s new intelligent hybrid drivetrain in the upcoming ActiveHybrid 5 in which a combustion of the engine and electric motor combines to enhance both efficiency and performance. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 consists of a BMW 3.0L Twin Turbo I6, an electric drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. All of which gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 an exceptional balance of performance and fuel economy.
The drivetrain generates a combined output of 340 HP, allows the car to be driven on electric power alone up to 37 mph, accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 seconds, and provides a fuel economy rating estimate of possibly 29 mpgUS combined on our own EPA.
The 306 HP 3.0L I6 Twin Turbo technology in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is the same unit in the BMW 535i with the electric motor developing an additional 55 HP fed by an advanced Li-Ion battery located in the trunk.
Integrated into the standard Driving Dynamics Control is an ECO PRO mode. In this mode, the engine can be shut down and decoupled from the transmission while coasting at speeds of up to 100 mph. The “glide” optimizes the vehicles kinetic energy maximizing fuel economy. The hybrid also initiates its start-stop function at a stop.
The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 has both a conventional 14V power supply powered via an Inverter/Rectifier (Transverter) from the high-voltage 317V Li-Ion traction battery. Like the electric motor, the A/C compressor is fed directly from the high voltage Li-Ion battery. In addition, the stationary climate control function can be used to cool the interior before the engine is started.
Specific details on BMW’s ActiveHybrid 5 can be found in the
BMW’s answer to the 2013 Lexus GS and 2012 Infiniti M35h preview from last month.
Will the ActiveHybrid 5 resonate with the BMW faithful for an additional $14,050 over the standard 34 mpgUS highway rated 2012 528i? BMW has not had much luck with high markups for their hybrid drivetrains in the recent past leaving the ActiveHybrid 5 future sales results a rather large question mark.
The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is scheduled to arrive in US BMW Centers later this Spring.
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