The car comes standard with a V8, 3 Phase synchronous electric motor in within its High Precision Direct Injection Twin-turbo engine and its 8 speed automatic transmission gearbox, this car is eco-friendly and yet powerful enough to give you up to 455 horsepowers. Of course, as is always with hybrid cars, the power comes through its lithium-ion battery as the source. You only need 4.8 seconds to get from zero to hundred, which speaks volumes for its nature of being a hybrid car. Apart from that, it is reported that the ActiveHybrid is 15% more economical than the standard 750i.
This would be the first model which BMW is fitting in its Auto Start Stop system which seeks to avoid engine idling when the car is not in motion as well as powering through the air-conditioning through its on-board battery powers. This means that most of the systems in the car remain operational when the car is not moving but instead of burning fuel, it uses the battery which is fitted inside the car, thereby saving fuel and the environment as well.
Inside the car, there is the Central Display which pretty much tells the passengers on the efficiency of the engine. Again, as with hybrid cars, you have to always be in the know about what energy your car is operating on at the moment and this is where it tells you just that. Apart from that, you will also get the 19 inch 10 spoke wheels which are not provided for in the 750i.
There has yet to be any news on whether BMW will be bringing in the ActiveHybrid because the first market they intend to launch would be in the United States but should it come to our shores, you can expect it to be priced around the 750i bracket, which is the model it is designed after. The 750i is sold here for about RM1.1million, so you can expect it to be around there or more.
This lithium ion battery measures 370mm by 220mm by 230mm and weighs 27kg, and is housed in the luggage compartment between the wheel arches, protected by a high-strength casing. Basically BMW had to remove the air-conditioning compressor for the rear aircond vents to make space for the battery.
0 to 100km/h takes 4.9 seconds, while EU test cycle fuel consumption is rated at 9.4 liters per 100km. CO2 emissions have been measured at 219g/km. Not exactly figures that will make greenheads drool but being an enthusiast I’m quite interested in experiencing the kind of pulling power that a high torque turbocharged engine and an inherently torquey electric motor can give.
