LA 2008: BMW 7-series ActiveHybrid

BWM showed its new 7-series ActiveHybrid in North America for the first time today at the LA Auto Show. The 7-series hybrid uses the mild hybrid system developed in cooperation with Mercedes Benz. A 20 kW electric motor/generator is sandwiched between the engine and transmission. The motor provides start-stop and regenerative braking capability. A lithium ion battery pack stores the energy and when it's not needed for electric boost, it provides energy for vehicle electrical systems thus reducing the parasitic loads on the engine. The mild hybrid will be paired with the 4.4L twin-turbo V8 that BMW uses in the standard 7-series and should give about a 20 percent boost in mileage. The 7-series hybrid should be on sale world-wide in mid 2009.

[Source: BMW]
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