12:49 AM
A pair of fire-breathing hybrids from BMW based on the X6 and the 7-series will be revealed in production guise at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
The ActiveHybrid X6 arrives in the United States late this year, followed by the ActiveHybrid 7 in the spring of 2010. Both hybrids combine electric motors with powerful twin-turbo V8 engines to boost output, performance and fuel economy, while retaining the looks of the popular conventional versions.
The X6 hybrid has a total output of 480 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. It can run from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. But it can also run completely on electric power up to 37 mph. The range in electric mode is just 1.6 miles.
BMW says fuel consumption is reduced 20 percent on the European cycle but did not announce EPA figures.
The X6 has all-wheel drive and a two-mode transmission; one stage is for stop-and-go traffic, the other for higher speeds. It has a seven-speed automatic gearbox. The battery pack is nickel-metal hydride.
The ActiveHybrid 7-series
A picture of The ActiveHybrid 7-series
BMW
The ActiveHybrid 7-series
Hybrid flagship
The 7-series hybrid boosts power to 455 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque for BMW's top luxury liner. It also uses a different battery technology--lithium-ion--for its hybrid powerplant. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic.
This car can hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, and BMW says fuel economy will be 15 percent better than what the 750i gets. It also has an auto start-stop feature and regenerative brakes.
The hybrid 7 is fitted with 10-spoke, 19-inch alloy wheels and gets special badging. Inside, the instrument cluster has displays to inform the driver of efficiency. Like the conventional version, the hybrid 7-series also will be available in a stretched-wheelbase model.
