Geneva Motor Show: BMW 5 Series Hybrid

[Blue_Tires]

BMW is replacing its executive 5 series this year, but it almost managed to upstage the new car's debut at the motor show with the unveiling of a hybrid concept of the popular saloon.


The BMW Concept 5 series is the first of the mid range saloon's from BMW to feature hybrid technology, although the manufacturer has already shown off several other models, including the 1 series and 7 series, that also feature under the ActiveHybrid brand.


Unlike rival brand Audi, that is using a four-cylinder engine with its A8 hybrid, the 5 series hybrid comes with a six-cylinder petrol engine, twinned in this case with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the electric motor that allows the car to call itself a hybrid.

This electric motor is designed to offer power to both the wheels and to other systems on the car. As it is able to generate power from brake energy recuperation and in overrun, the 5 series siphons some electricity from the 40kw motor to run the on-board network of the car. This means it is able to provide power to the remotely controlled climate control system that allows the car to be cooled or heated from afar in readiness for the driver's arrival.


As the 5 series hybrid concept was making its debut alongside the production version of the actual car, we have no pre-existing knowledge on how it will drive. Thankfully it manages to follow an ever-increasing trend of not making sacrifices on the car's looks in order to improve aerodynamics and gain an extra few drops of efficiency.


The 5 series hybrid therefore remains a good looking car, with the creases on the bonnet in line with the latest facelift of the 3 series that has been on our roads for the last year. The real changes and clever innovations lie with the technology that is powering the new concept.

http://uk.autoblog.com/2010/03/03/geneva-motor-show-bmw-5-series-hybrid/