Now that BMW has officially launched the ActiveHybrid 7 and the ActiveHybrid X6, the next model to receive a hybrid powertrain is the new 5 Series. According to BMWBlog, BMW is going to unveil a concept version of the ActiveHybrid 5 at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
The ActiveHybrid 5 will not use the same V8 powered system as the ActiveHybrid X6, instead it's expected to be powered by a 218 horsepower six-cylinder engine mated to a 40 horsepower electric motor.
A production version is due by the end of next year.
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Comments (7)
And yet it still falls prey to the pitfall of EVERY hybrid - automatic transmission only. And that folks, is why I will never own a hybrid.
Just because it gets good mpg doesn't mean that it can't have a manual.
Posted by Totenglocke | December 21, 2009 11:40 AM
Posted on December 21, 2009 11:40
Hybrids will probably never have a manual option as long those synergy drive type of units are the driving tech. Maybe some sports coupe will have eventually, but odds are it'll be some startup hack job. I have no clue why mpg matters to people that can afford these cars...and there can't be enough eco freaks to justify high $ hybrids. Another loss leader for a bogus segment. I wish they'd just stop it with the junk and get back to making cars for the average consumer in their target market.
Posted by thetruth | December 21, 2009 12:45 PM
Posted on December 21, 2009 12:45
I don't really see how you do a manual with a hybrid setup. At least not in the traditional way.
Perhaps if you had a completely seperate drivetrain for the electric it would work. (Regen braking wouldn't be doing crap in a Prius if it was a manual.)
Either way I agree with thetruth, if you can afford it who cares what the mileage is. It's not like this is Mad Max and fuel is as rare as clean water.
Posted by Brian | December 21, 2009 1:34 PM
Posted on December 21, 2009 13:34
" thetruth:
Hybrids will probably never have a manual option as long those synergy drive type of units are the driving tech. Maybe some sports coupe will have eventually, but odds are it'll be some startup hack job. I have no clue why mpg matters to people that can afford these cars...and there can't be enough eco freaks to justify high $ hybrids. Another loss leader for a bogus segment. I wish they'd just stop it with the junk and get back to making cars for the average consumer in their target market."
I'm pretty sure that by 20xx, car companies will need to have a lineup with a low mean consumption. It doesn't have to sell (better if it does), it needs to lower the mean mpg of the whole lineup. I'm pretty sure that's a bill from California. So they start now by releasing hybrids to pave the way.
Posted by PAL | December 21, 2009 8:11 PM
Posted on December 21, 2009 20:11
@PAL
I think you mean "raise" the mean mpg, lowering it would mean getting fewer mpg. =)
Posted by Totenglocke | December 21, 2009 8:43 PM
Posted on December 21, 2009 20:43
Gents, the first Insight had a manual option, if I'm not mistaken. Not sure about the CR-Z, though.
Posted by Kawi | December 22, 2009 8:12 AM
Posted on December 22, 2009 08:12
Then again, Insight was IMA (Integrated Motor Assist), if you want to differentiate from HSD/other hybrids.
Posted by Kawi | December 22, 2009 8:18 AM
Posted on December 22, 2009 08:18