Official: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 with 465HP, Returns 9.4lt/100km - 25mpg

BMW's first-ever hybrid sedan has been officially revealed in production guise. The ActiveHybrid 7, which is based on the latest generation 7-Series limo pairs the firm's 408HP 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 gasoline engine to a single electric motor for an overall output 465HP and maximum torque of 700 Nm or 516 lb-ft. Power is transferred to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the electric motor, which is positioned between the V8 engine and the converter on the transmission, receiving its supply of energy from a lithium-ion battery.

The mild-hybrid sedan accelerates from rest to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.9 seconds, while returning an average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 9.4 lt/ 100 km that is the equivalent to 29.1 mpg UK and 25 mpg US, with CO2 emissions of 219 gr/km.

By comparison, the 750i that is powered excusively by the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 sprints from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds and has a combined fuel economy of 11.4 lt /100 km that converts to 20.6 mpg US and 24.8 mpg UK. So in other words, the ActiveHybrid 7 is slightly faster and significantly more fuel efficient than its conventional sibling.

The hybrid variant of the 7-Series comes equipped with an auto start stop feature and regenerative brakes while the driver of the sedan can check out the degree of efficiency and the current operating status of the hybrid components through s special displays in the instrument cluster and the Control Display.

To make sure that your neighbors know what you're driving, BMW fitted the hybrid 7er with special monikers on the boot lid, the C-pillar and on the door cutouts while there's also aerodynamically optimized ten-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/45 tyres up front and 275/40 at the rear plus an available Bluewater metallic exterior paintwork that's exclusive to the model.

The ActiveHybird 7 will make its world debut at next month's Frankfurt Show with sales following later in the year.

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BMW X6 and 7-Series ActiveHybrids: First Official Photos of Production Models

The first official photos along with initial specs of the production version of BMW's X6 and 7-Series Hybrid models slipped into the internet today ahead of their world debut at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show. Both models carry the ActiveHybrid moniker and are equipped with a hybrid drivetrain that combines a V8 petrol engine with one electric motor in the 7-Series and two in the X6.

It is reported that the X6 ActiveHybrid's drivetrain produces a combined output of 478bhp and 575 lb-ft of torque enabling the crossover to sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds or 0.2 seconds slower than the xDrive50i that's powered by a 408 HP twin-turbo V8 petrol. The slightly worse sprint time may be attributed to the hybrid model's additional tech that adds 185 kg or 408 pounds to the crossover's overall weight.

BMW says that the X6 ActiveHybrid, which can run on pure electric power for a mere 1.6 miles or 2.5 km at speeds of up to 37 mph or 60 km/h, has a combined fuel economy rating of 28.5 mpg - though we're not sure if this figure is in US or IMP mpg.

Cosmetic changes over the standard model include the addition of a power-dome on the hood, different alloy wheels, special badges and the availability of a unique metallic blue hue.

The ActiveHybrid 7's drivetrain with the single electric motor is less powerful than the X6 delivering a combined output of 459bhp and 561 lb-ft of torque. The 7-Series is said to hit the 100 km/h (62 mph) mark in 4.9 seconds while returning 29.1 mpg -again, it is not clear if this figure represents US or Imp. mpg's.

By comparison, the 750i that gets a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 petrol with 408HP accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds and has a combined fuel economy of 11.4 lt /100 km that converts to 20.6 mpg US and 24.8 mpg UK (Imp).

We'll have more details on both hybrid bimmers as soon as BMW officially releases information and photos.

Via: Autocar

BMW ActiveHybrid 7

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BMW ActiveHybrid X6

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