World debut: BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid.
[Published in BMWCAR March 2010]
With BMW’s first two hybrids entering the market, the company has unveiled its latest development at Geneva with the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid.
For the first time a BMW straight-six petrol engine with Twin Turbo power has been combined with an
electric motor. Using an eight-speed automatic transmission and 40 kW battery the concept
reduces both fuel consumption and emissions by more than 10 per cent against an equivelant petrol model. At the same time the electric motor offers a boost function, supporting the combustion engine in generating power.
Drawing its energy from the high-voltage battery at the back of the car, an automatic clutch connects the petrol engine and the electric motors. The 40 kW battery is fitted within a high-strength case near the rear axle of the Concept, leading to an optimum position in terms of both safety and weight distribution.
The drivetrain technology featured allows all-electric, zero-emission motoring in city traffic. At the same time a special hybrid-based Auto Start Stop function offers additional efficiency by switching off the engine when stopping at traffic lights. BMW says the high level of torque generated from the start through the electric motors and the interaction of the two drive systems ensures extremely spontaneous acceleration.
In overrun and when applying the brakes, the electric drive systems act as a generator developing electric power fed into the high-voltage battery. This converts kinetic energy otherwise wasted as heat in the brake system into electric power saved for later use. Energy obtained without any further fuel consumption is then used to generate drive power or operate electrical features in the car.
Showcasing developments with BMW’s Hybrid systems the 5 Series ActiveHybrid is billed as a concept, but we can expect to see production versions within the next two years, whether they make it to our shores we will have to wait and see.
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