Mixing dynamics and efficiency

BMW is also developing several drivetrain strategies for its future mobility. In addition to the BMW Advanced Diesel and petrol engines, BMW continues working on full and mild hybrid technology (ActiveHybrid 7 and X6), electric vehicle (Concept ActiveE and Mini E) as well as the hydrogen (Hydrogen 7) car as part of its mid and long term EfficientDynamics strategy.

BMW says that customers in the Southeast Asia region will be seeing even more EfficientDynamics features embedded in its cars from model year 2011, as well as BMW ActiveHybrid models arriving in the region in early 2012.

The ActiveHybrid 7 mild hybrid for example, is claimed to offer 465bhp and 700Nm thanks to boosting by the electric motor while offering 15 percent less fuel consumption. The full hybrid ActiveHybrid X6 goes one further than the ActiveHybrid 7 by offering full electric driving at lower speeds, The model offers a whopping 485bhp and 780Nm while offering 20 percent less fuel consumption according to BMW. In addition to the abovementioned hybrid models, BMW also plans to offer a 5 Series ActiveHybrid full hybrid as shown in the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid study first shown in Geneva this year and recently displayed at BMW World at the Marina Bay Sands.

While Audi's electric vehicles will carry the e-tron moniker, ActiveE will be synonymous with electric powered BMWs in the future. The Concept ActiveE, based on the 1 Series coupe is the first all-electric driven BMW as it begins extensive trials this year. Its 170bhp electric motor and lithium ion batteries will deliver a range of up to 160km, without emitting any CO2 into the atmosphere. Unlike in most other electric vehicles, the Concept ActiveE's compact electric drivetrain will not cut into passenger or luggage space significantly according to BMW.

With the development of hydrogen filling stations and infrastructure not up to speed yet, hydrogen technology might only come to light in the longer term. But BMW will certainly be well-prepared when hydrogen refueling infrastructure is finally in place thanks to its vast experience of the hydrogen powered internal combustion engine in its Hydrogen 7 programme. The Hydrogen 7's combustion engine can switch on demand between petrol mode and hydrogen power, hence emitting just 5g of CO2 per km.

BMW showcased its current and future EfficientDynamics technologies in last year's Vision EfficientDynamics concept car. The brand is set to put these technologies which include an electric/hybrid drive train combination making over 350bhp and 800Nm whilst emitting under 100g/km of CO2 into production in a flagship sports car model closely based on the concept to rival the Audi R8 by 2014.

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai Photos by BMW Asia and Yang