Mar 27th, 2012
BMW and Toyota further inked a deal and announced that collaborative research into the next generation batteries for tomorrow’s greener cars has already begun. BMW will benefit from Toyota’s buying power and previous research in li-ion battery cells moving forward in addition to BMW sharing diesel technology with the Japanese firm in European markets.
Official release:
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Jan 31st, 2012
BMW’s ActiveHybrid 5 Series is the first two mode hybrid from the brand. Unlike the X6 and 7 Series Hybrids (one was a learning tool codeveloped with Mercedes Benz and GM , the other is barely a hybrid) the 5 Series Hybrid follows the typical formula of two drivetrains that can work together or separate using a battery pack to supplement engine drive. There are some key additions to this formula that makes this a uniquely BMW solution.
First, let’s look at the facts. The ActiveHyrid 5 Series marries the familiar N55 TwinPower in-line six with an in-house developed electric drive system and the excellent and equally familiar ZF sourced 8-speed auto. The system gives the car an extra 35 hp over the standard 535i 300hp and allows the car to be driven on electric power up to 37 mph for 2.5 miles.
Full gallery and video after the break.
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Jan 29th, 2012
We’re just off the plane from having driven the new AH5 and will have our full review ready soon. But in the meantime you can get a first look at the car via BMWNA’s first official release.
Official release: BMW takes the development of intelligent hybrid drive systems to the next level with the introduction of the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 – another series-produced model in which a combustion engine and electric motor join forces to enhance both efficiency and the brand’s hallmark driving pleasure. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 brings together a BMW TwinPower Turbo in-line 6-cylinder engine, an electric drive system and an 8-speed automatic gearbox for the first time. The latest generation of BMW ActiveHybrid technology also adds precisely controlled – and therefore extremely effective – intelligent energy management. All of which gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 an exceptional balance of performance and fuel efficiency for the benchmark performance sedan in the premium executive car class.
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Nov 28th, 2011
Citing newspaper reports in Japan, analysts believe that BMW and Toyota are planning on sharing fuel saving engine technology in future products. A report by J.P. Morgan’s Tokyo office is claiming that Toyota would get diesel engines in place of providing hybrid technologies to be used for future BMW and MINI products. The analyst went on to say that they see this as a positive for Toyota – helping them get crucial diesel engines for European markets quickly and cheaply.
So what about BMW?
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Nov 14th, 2011
After years of avoiding it, BMW is making the Tokyo Motor Show all about alternative power plants for 2011. Making it’s official production debut will be the AciveHybrid 5 Series.
Official Release: The introduction of groundbreaking drive system innovations sees BMW taking driving pleasure to consistently greater heights, while at the same time reducing fuel consumption and emissions to ever lower levels. At the Tokyo Motor Show 2011 (3 – 11 December 2011) the German premium carmaker is underlining its pace-setting development expertise in this field with the presentation of next-generation BMW ActiveHybrid technology, new four-cylinder petrol engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and – for the first time in the Japanese market – a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine with BMW BluePerformance technology. This year’s Tokyo Show is hosting the world premiere of the new BMW ActiveHybrid 5. The full-hybrid Sedan brings together a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine, an electric drive system, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a high-performance lithium-ion battery. This package of technology allows the brand’s third hybrid model to be driven on purely electric power around town, offers drivers a boost function delivering extremely dynamic acceleration, and enables the car to coast with the combustion engine switched off. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 also comes with a globally unique intelligent energy management system, which works in tandem with the navigation system to prepare the car’s drive functions in advance for upcoming road conditions.
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