BMW’s Vision concept car continues to rack-up the accolades. The Louis Vuitton Classic Awards jury has given the car its namesake award for 2010. It’s a highly regarded honor and an important one considering the design language seen in the concept will inform BMWs for years to come.
Official Release: The concept car BMW Vision EfficientDynamics – star of the international automobile show IAA in Frankfurt 2009 – has won the Louis Vuitton Classic Award. At an evening gala in BMW Welt the chairman of the Louis Vuitton Classic Awards jury, Christian Philippsen, presented the award to Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. The prize for the best classic automobile restored true to the original went to Jon Shirley for his Alfa Romeo C2900 B Touring Berlinetta of 1938, which last year won the Trofeo BMW Group at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este by Lake Como.
It seemed plausible at the time of release but now we’re starting to see some real confirmation that BMW will be going ahead with production of the Vision concept car that debuted in Frankfurt. The car was not only a concept in regards to design but also drivetrain. Sources told us at the time that BMW was actually creating a drive-able 3 cylinder diesel hybrid that did produce the numbers given at the time of release. Typically an automaker only goes to that kind of expense when there is a real chance of production on the horizon. That’s where we pick up the story from Insideline. Here’s an excerpt from their report:
Our executive source goes on to say that total volume is being debated, but that it will fall between 5,000 and 10,000 units. The prototype’s powertrain and basic sub-3,000-pound assembly will remain intact, but, says the source, “there will be less of the synthetic glass and more solid structure added to the final design.” Uh-oh. We know why these alterations are needed, but does this mean it’s going to migrate toward being a sort of sleek Toyota Prius? Let’s hope not.
When we asked if this could finally be BMW’s second true production supercar after the Giugiaro M1, the response was a firm “quite probably.” So maybe our Prius/Honda Insight fears are overreaching. It’d be nice to maintain that 0.22 drag coefficient and the hellacious looks.
IL went on to mention that a real world test in the south of France would be happening for a few publications later this summer. Oh and those Prius fears? Obviously those of us who are close to BMW and it’s products know better. Based on what we’ve been told this car will redefine the term hybrid.
Official Release: The Los Angeles Auto Show will be the site of three North American vehicle debuts for BMW. The BMW ActiveHybrid X6, which combines the Sport Activity Coupe concept with full hybrid drive to create the world’s most powerful hybrid passenger vehicle, and the all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 7, the first sport luxury sedan featuring BMW ActiveHybrid technology, will be on display. The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car will also make its first public showing in the US as well.
While we have covered the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept at great length here at BimmerFile we have not had the chance to get up close and personal with it, until now. We recently attended a private showing of the car before its trip to LA for the auto show.
While not anticipated to be introduced as a single production model the Vision is said to showcase future drivetrain, efficiency techniques and design language that will be used in production models. This revolutionary concept is designed with the intent of being powered by 2 electric motors and a three-cylinder diesel engine to produce 356 hp and 590 lb-ft. It would rocket the car from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds while achieving almost 63 miles per gallon.
In the course of its history, BMW has repeatedly provided impulses for the further development of personal mobility through innovative vehicle and drive concepts. Last year’s special exhibition ‘Concept Vehicles’ at the BMW Museum presented a selection of these unusual concepts. Now two more vehicles from the recent past are about to be added to the exhibition. Known as SIMPLE and CLEVER, this brace of concepts goes on show at the Museum on 9th October, bearing eloquent witness to BMW’s innovative strength.
SIMPLE – light in weight, low on energy
Simple combines features and advantages from both automobiles and motorcycles. The concept owes its passenger cell to the car, providing protection from wind and weather as well as shielding the driver from exterior noise and offering occupants a high degree of safety in the event of an accident. The motorcycle inspired the slim design of the Simple (at just 110 centimetres wide) and its configuration for two people sitting one behind the other. Plus it boasts the dynamic driving style typical of a two-wheeler, allowing you to lean right into corners as desired. The designation “simple” is an acronym of the project name “A sustainable and innovative mobility product for low energy consumption”.
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Sections: Awards, Concept, Design Mar 3rd, 2010 6 Comments 
