2008 Geneva Motor Show: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept
- Looks like: Another way for eco-conscious celebrities to get to the Oscars
- Defining characteristics: Turbo-diesel hybrid powertrain, lithium-ion battery pack, eight-speed automatic transmission, roof-mounted solar panels, average fuel economy of 36 mpg
- Ridiculous features: Its name
- Chance of being mass produced: With other luxury automakers already in the hybrid game or entering soon, it's a no-brainer for BMW to establish a presence — if not with a production version of this hybrid, then something else.
BMW has chosen its X5 luxury SUV as the platform for which to showcase a hybrid concept dubbed Vision EfficientDynamics. The all-wheel-drive concept utilizes a 204-hp, twin-turbo 2.0-liter diesel engine that's supplemented by an electric motor, according to BMW.
Unlike the previously shown X6 hybrid concept, the mild hybrid system in the Vision EfficientDynamics cannot operate solely on electric power. However, the diesel engine does turn off when the vehicle comes to a halt to save fuel and the concept also features regenerative braking technology to capture kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost. That energy is stored for later use in a lithium-ion battery pack in the rear of the SUV. Average fuel economy for the concept works out to about 36 mpg, according to the automaker, which is a 100% improvement over the X5's 18 mpg combined rating with the base 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder.
The concept uses a new eight-speed automatic transmission BMW has developed with ZF. BMW says this transmission is ready for "serial production use" so look for it to appear in future BMW cars and SUVs as the German automaker looks to erase its gear-count deficit with Lexus, which uses an eight-speed automatic in its flagship LS full-size sedan.
The Vision EfficientDynamics has some unique styling elements like silver bumpers and special 19-inch alloy wheels, the latter of which BMW says allow the SUV to operate more efficiently thanks to their aerodynamic qualities. Beyond that, though, its appearance is much like your everyday X5, which isn't a bad thing as that SUV is rather stylish. The concept also has solar panels on the roof that can be used to run a cool box in the car and also heat gear oil to increase efficiency.
It'll be interesting to see how BMW, a company universally recognized as a builder of engaging-to-drive cars, integrates hybrids into its product lineup as it appears ready to do. Hybrids introduce more electronics to a vehicle, and if they diminish from the driving experience BMW fans aren't likely to take kindly to that.
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You know I definitely applaud this concept, but what the heck??
Here are the flaws:
They should have NOT chosen an AWD SUV in the first place.
What they should have done was reduced the engine's power output by half and plug it into a tweaked 323i...tweaks meaning with materials that reduce weight and styling that will make it extremely aerodynamic...
36 mpg with a 204 HP diesel hybrid AWD SUV...
or
A 100 HP diesel hybrid FWD sedan that achieves 60 MPG.
We could be JUST like Europe.
It's a shame that the Smart doesn't have a diesel here in the US either.
All Americans want is space and the best performance.
Dave V,
I think a lot of companies pick large SUVs to test new systems because they can easily house the added batteries and electric motors with little adaptation instead of spending twice teh R&D on both the engine and the car.
Interesting for a couple of reasons:
1. a small diesel powering such a large vehicle. I'm sure a lot of consumers would be put off by a 4 cylinder X5 but it seems that smaller engines is the way we are heading. I like how the electric motors provide an extra 155Ib/ft during excelleration, giving what should be sprightly speed and still economical cruising.
2. further development of Efficient Dynamics, which is rolling out across the BMW and Mini range in Europe and surely soon here too? Efficient Dynamics is a great example of BMW increasing efficiency in its vehicles without (so far) resorting to hybrids etc. It's amazing how stop/start and further efficiencies across the board can make a massive dent to economy levels.
I'm all for the development of production diesel-hybrids, so this is really exciting. Good job, BMW.
Has anyone driven the X5 with the naturally aspirated 260hp 3.0 valvetronic engine?
It is marginal in the 5000lb X5, it is fine in the 4000lb X3.
BMW should have the 300hp direct injection twin turbo N54 engine in the X5, especially when the price is about 50 large.
BMW should move the naturally aspirated 350hp 4.8 V8 to the X6, and make that the only engine there. Doesn't the X6=sport coupe?
Then BMW could offer the 400hp twin turbo V8, in addition to the twin turbo inline6 in the X5 & turbodiesel inline6.
Everyone is happy, for now.
I think somewhere in the press materials the turbo diesel matched to the electric motor produce over 400 lb ft of torque. shouldn't be too shabby