Section: EfficientDynamics
Dec 1st, 2011
The rumors were true. Today BMW and Toyota took the wraps off of their hybrid collaboration plans around next generation lithium ion batteries.
Official Release: BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announce that they today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning a mid-to-long-term collaboration on next-generation environment-friendly technologies.
Under the MOU, the two companies agreed on a collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies. Furthermore, they have agreed to identify and discuss other possible collaborative projects.
In addition, Toyota Motor Europe (TME), TMC’s European subsidiary, and BMW Group have entered into a contract under which BMW Group is to supply 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter diesel engines to TME starting in 2014. The engines will be installed in certain Toyota-produced vehicles planned for sale in the European market. Through this agreement, Toyota plans to expand its European lineup and sales of fuel-efficient, low CO2-emission diesel-powered vehicles.
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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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Sep 30th, 2011
Today BMW takes the wraps off of its latest hybrid, the ActiveHybrid 5 Series. In contrast to the X6 and even 7 Series hybrids, BMW expects this car to sell in noticeable numbers and has given it the tech to make it more palatable to the car buying public. Additionally (if sources are to believed) the power-plant will also form the the basis of the upcoming 3 Series ActiveHybrid.
Official Release: BMW today announced the introduction of its newest hybrid, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. Based
on the BMW 535i Sedan, the ActiveHybrid 5 brings together BMW’s 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine, an electric drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission for the first time. The latest generation of BMW ActiveHybrid technology also adds precisely controlled energy management to the mix. All of which gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 an exceptional balance of performance and fuel economy for a benchmark performance/luxury sedan. Its drive system generates combined output of 335 hp (DIN), allows the car to be driven on electric power alone up to 37 mph (60 km/h), and accelerates the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds (preliminary). The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 will arrive in US showrooms in March 2012.
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Sep 19th, 2011
The following story has been corrected to indicate that the X6 Active Hybrid will not be sold in the US as a 2012 model, it has not been confirmed to end production for other markets at this time. The original story stated that production had ended.
The X6 Active Hybrid was BMW’s first foray into hybrids- a joint development with Daimler, Chrysler and General Motors. Entering foreign ground and jumping into an increasingly competitive hybrid market, BMW set about making a vehicle that was more powerful and just slightly more efficient. This created an even more limited client base than the base X6 was targeted at. The original price for the X6 Active Hybrid at launch in late December 2009 (2010 model) was just shy of ninety-thousand dollars. One of the most expensive vehicles in the BMW lineup. Sales were limited to say the least. And as of today, the era of BMW’s lone two mode, nickel metal hydride hybrid has come to a quiet and abrupt end in the US.
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Sep 14th, 2011
We’ve just returned from the Frankfurt IAA and to say that the BMW Hall is overwhelming is an absolute understatement. The scale of BMW’s home auto show venue is immense. Imagine an auto show floor stateside and then think that the size of that entire building is around the size of BMW’s own in Frankfurt- it is that enormous. BMW didn’t disappoint its fans in its presentation of its newest offerings and future concepts; offering a wide range of vehicles, all presented in the ideals of Efficient Dynamics. Our cameras were able to capture it all so be sure to check out the gallery.
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Sep 13th, 2011
We are LIVE at the Frankfurt IAA. Over the next few days we will be bringing you photos and stories from Germany’s largest auto show.
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Sep 10th, 2011
As part of BMW’s latest press release on the Frankfurt IAA, the company has released some information a series of new and/or updated diesel engines. And within that, there’s one new engine that will quietly be making it’s debut in the form the four cylinder 525d. The 5 series equipped wit this new 2-litre all aluminum diesel powerplant pumps out 218 hp & 332 ft lbs of torque. BWM’s conservative estimates show it hitting 0-62 in only 7 seconds while getting an astonishing 4.8 to 5.0 litres / 100 km (the updated 535d with an engine we’re more familiar with gets 5.4 – 5.6). It’s such an impressive middle ground that we believe this could be the new diesel engine destined for the US market within the next several years.
We’ll have more on the Frankfurt IAA next week and from the show floor.
Official Release: New diesel engines for the BMW 5 Series: increased pulling power and efficiency thanks to BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. From the autumn of 2011, the BMW 525d will feature a new four-cylinder diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The 2-litre, all- aluminium power unit is equipped with multi-stage turbocharging according
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