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LA 2009: BMW ActiveHybrids get North American debut; 7 Series model priced from $103,125

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

BMW ActiveHybrid X6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW took advantage of California's proclivity for greenwashing to give its ActiveHybrid models their North American debuts at the LA Auto Show. Just for good measure they also brought along the incredible Vision Efficient Dynamics sustainable supercar concept. While we know a great deal about BMW's first true hybrid, the X6 ActiveHybrid, from our first drive, we still had to admire its incredible combination of horsepower and technology, even if the mileage isn't really spectacular enough to warrant a truly green halo.

The BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid is a mild hybrid with the electric motor filling one of three roles while in motion. It alternates between being a motivator, a generator and a booster depending on load and demand. It can go 37 mph on the motor alone, it gets 20% better overall mileage than the straight gas engine, and it does the 0-60 trot in just 4.7 seconds thanks to its 455 horsepower and 515 lb-ft of torque. BMW's Peter Miles did add one bit of information to the Active 7 equation when he announced pricing. The regular wheelbase model will start at $103,125 while the long-wheelbase "L" model will start at $107,025.

The last car in the BMW eco show was the Vision concept. And never before has the phrase, "last but not least," been more appropriate. This thing looks like it could have come out of Minority Report, yet it has so much real world promise. We'll never see this car in production, of course, but don't be surprised to see many of its elements in future BMW models. We're still trying to decide whether we'd take this or the swoopy e-tron concept next door at Audi's stand, but why not have both?

Check out our gallery of live shots from LA by clicking below, or the official 7 Series pricing press release after the jump.

Gallery: LA 2009: BMW Active Hybrids and Vision Concept

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: BMW]

Continue reading LA 2009: BMW ActiveHybrids get North American debut; 7 Series model priced from $103,125

LA 2009: BMW ActiveHybrids get North American debut; 7 Series model priced from $103,125 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW prices the ActiveHybrid X6 starting at $89,725

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Crossover, BMW

2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

For your hard-earned $89,725, you can have your pick of V8-powered BMW X6s. That substantial pile of dosh will secure you the keys to the Bavarian automaker's monster 555-horsepower X6 M or its new X6 ActiveHybrid. Unlike rival Mercedes-Benz which has opted to make its ML450 hybrid available exclusive by lease, BMW will sell the ActiveHybrid X6 outright to all comers, whoever they may be. Unlike most BMWs, the option list for the hybrid is relatively limited, although we suspect the folks at BMW Individual will be only too happy to customize one to your heart's content.

During our recent first drive of the gas-electric version of Bimmer's so-called "Sport Activity Coupe," we only saw 16 mpg in a test loop that consisted primarily of Miami traffic, a bit shy of official 17/19 mpg EPA estimates. Aside from the hood bulge and the wheels, there isn't much to visually distinguish the hybrid from non-M X6s, and with its still-considerable appetite for fuel, we have hard time seeing the value in ponying up nearly $90k for this vehicle - especially when you can get the giggle-inducing lunacy that is the X6 M for equal coin.

Of course, a flawed value equation hasn't stopped many other vehicles we know from selling - especially ones sporting a green halo - but we'll find out if BMW has played their cards right when the X6 ActiveHybrid goes on sale beginning December 5. High-res gallery below, official press release with option pricing after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6

[Source: BMW]
Photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading BMW prices the ActiveHybrid X6 starting at $89,725

BMW prices the ActiveHybrid X6 starting at $89,725 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: BMW ActiveHybrid X6 throws down

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Europe, Crossover, BMW

BMW ActiveHybrid X6 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Your dilemma: you have a burning desire for a 5,000 pound, four-passenger truck that accelerates as fast as your Dodge Challenger, but you want to use as little gasoline as possible while doing so. BMW feels your pain, and they have a solution for you. Ladies and germs, meet the ActiveHybrid X6, BMW's first full-hybrid. Here's the great part: engine-wise you get both the 4.4-liter twin-turbo humdinger of a V8 and two electric motors for a total combined output of 485 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. Just to refresh your memory, the X6 M, which our own Lavrinc called a "highrider GT-R," makes just 500 lb-ft (though 550 psycho horsepower).

Ah, but it's a hybrid. So it gets almost 24 mpg. Unlike the X6 M, which... doesn't. Unlike the ActiveHybrid 7 Series, which uses a lightweight, hella-pricey lithium-ion battery, the X6 makes do with a plain old nickel metal hydride power pack. But hey, it's already 2.5 tons, what's a couple of hundred more pounds? BMW also employs a bit of electronic black wizardry, that let's one motor act as a generator to gather up kinetic energy from the brakes (or simply coming off the throttle) to feed into the battery while the other electric motor keeps the car moving. Nifty, no doubt. Also, the ActiveHybrid X6 can travel up to 37 miles per hour in pure electric mode before that dirty ICE kicks on.

Like a lot of vehicles coming out of BMW these days, the X6 is a love it or hate it proposition. Admittedly, the Autoblog staff here at Frankfurt is split right down the middle. Forgetting about the haters, the pro-X6 side thinks that a torque-monster hybrid "Sports Activity Coupe" is just fine. Really, can you say no to 575 lb-ft of twist? All we really hate is the name.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: BMW ActiveHybrid X6

Frankfurt 2009: BMW ActiveHybrid X6 throws down originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Crossover, BMW

BMW ActiveHybrid X6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW X6 ActiveHybrid has arrived, and as previously covered, the new gas-electric X6 will be the most powerful hybrid in history, with 480 peak horsepower and diesel-like plateau of 575 lb-ft of torque.

That impressive powertrain consists of twin electric motors (delivering 91 hp and 86 hp, respectively) and a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine. All those horses will be corralled through a seven-speed dual-mode transmission and BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The run to sixty will take just 5.4 seconds and the top speed will be limited to 130 miles per hour.

The EPA has yet to test the vehicle, but the German automaker is estimating its X6 Hybrid will return a 20-percent fuel mileage improvement average over the standard twin-turbo X6. That should mean about 18 miles per gallon combined in the States. The official public debut is scheduled for the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and the sale date is slated for four-quarter 2009. Click past the break for the comically-detailed press release and check out our image gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

Continue reading Officially Official: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6

Officially Official: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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