2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: BMW X6 Hybrid Concept

• Looks like: A hybrid Hot Wheels brought to life
• Defining characteristics: BMW's menacing answer to the Toyota Prius
• Ridiculous features: A 20% gain in mileage? If it’s a concept, BMW should aim higher
• Chance of being mass-produced: Believe it or not, this could very well be in your favorite environmentally conscious celebrity’s driveway soon

Following on the heels of the plain-old gasoline-powered X6 concept comes the X6 hybrid. Again, we’ll preface this entire “concept” thing with the fact that we’re pretty darn sure this will be at a BMW dealership sometime before the end of the decade, looking pretty much exactly like the images here. The hybrid system is the two-mode variety and is based on technology jointly developed with GM and Mercedes-Benz.

BMW says it will get 20% better fuel economy than a standard X6 — because they’re all just concepts, no standard powertrain information has been released — by allowing the electric motor to power the car from a stop and at low speeds, with the engine kicking in at higher speeds. This also marks BMW’s first traditional gasoline-electric hybrid planned for mass production. Oh, wait — it’s still a concept. Expect to see more hybrids from BMW using the same system in more familiar models. We think the boring old X5 SUV could use a hybrid version. More photos of the X6 hybrid concept below.

Comments

[Tommy]

Wow it looks lovely!!!! that silver is insane

[ziggy]

Answer to the Toyota Prius???? I don't think that it would be priced in the 22-26K range.

[Dave T.]

Ziggy,
I said "BMW's answer" which would infer it would not be priced equal to the Prius.

[Nic]

Roof lines copied from the Nissan 350Z

[Infosaur]

"Only 20% improvement in milage" might be the rolling resistance of those tires.

[Mark]

Given the Honda Accord Hybrid gets no better fuel economy,(just a boost in performance) I'd say BMW's 20% gain is good considering the level of performance this vehicle will provide. Performance will be the same or better on this model as the standard X6. I dont believe BMW would release such a vehicle if it were not that way! Then again, it is "concept". it may never see mass production