According to a report BMW, mercifully, is going to use the name “i8″ for the upcoming sports hybrid, initially called the Vision EfficientDynamics. That’s a relief actually, becasue we were a bit worried BMW might keep this stupid name for the production car! They’re not good at naming cars and usually come up with things like Z4 sDrive 35is or something, but i8 sounds alright.

The name i8 can also hint at a couple of facts about the car. It has the little dotted “i” in it like most fancy green cars, and that might mean BMW is going to launch a whole range of “i” cars. Also that “8″ goes well with the current naming policy BMW applies. This car can be the first example of the BMW 8 Series, which is dedicated to sportscar by the Bavarian car maker.

All of that is currently just rumors and nothing is confirmed yet. The car itself is not due until 2013.

via: BMWblog

Here’s a new release form BMW’s Unscripted video series and this time it has nothing to with their image or Sabine Schmitz. It’s all about the Vision EfficienctDynamics, or should we call it BMW’s new hybrid sportscar, as engineer Juergen Greil talk you through the project in the same warm and unscripted way! This car is not due until 2013, so we’re going to see heaps more videos like this.

BMW has already accomplished everything they said via the viral site dontblogaboutthis, so they offered a selected group of fans to enjoy a ride in the upcoming sportscar of the Bavarian company. The Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid sportscar is the prototype for BMW’s future supercar, which will be powered by a highly sophisticated hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.5L 3-cylinder turbodiesel plus an electric motor, developing 328 hp together while averaging around 70 mpg. If you like this car don’t hold your breath for it becasue it takes at least three years to arrive.

As everyone guessed, that DontBlogAbouThis mystery BMW was in fact a test mule for the production version of the Vision EfficientDynamics concept. BMW today confirmed that their futuristic machine is heading into production as a 2+2 sports coupe with an innovative hybrid system. It was first revealed as a concept during the 2009 IAA Frankfurt Motorshow.

Here’s what they propose for the produciton version of this car to be: It’ll be a 2+2-seater with a height of just 1.24 meters, with drag coefficient to 0.22, and wing doors just as you saw in the concept. The BMW ActiveHybrid system that powers the car will be consisting of a 3-cylinder turbo diesel with a hybrid synchronous motor at the front axle and a full-hybrid engine at the rear axle enables an overall system output of 241 kW/328 bhp.

The projected performance figures for this car are 4.8 seconds for sprint from zero to 100 km/h – with an average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle (KV01) of 3.76 litters/100 kilometers, equal to 75.1 mpg imp, and a CO2 emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer. So you can kinda consider it as BMW’s answer to the Porsche 918 Spyder, not that they’re in the same class, but they both offer astonishing performance with unbelievable efficiency.

This unique relation between dynamic performance and efficiency derives from the high level of efficiency of all engine components as well as intelligent linking of the power output of the three engines, as well as precisely controlled energy management including brake energy regeneration. What is more, the study BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is conceived as a so-called plug-in hybrid. The lithium-polymer rechargeable battery housed centrally in a longitudinal chassis element and designed specially for this hybrid sports car can be fully charged at a conventional power socket within just two and half hours. The use of electrical energy alone permits zero-emissions motoring with a range of some 50 kilometres, while a 24-litre diesel tank extends the total action radius of the vehicle to up to 700 kilometres.

By developing a sports car based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study for serial production, the Munich-based premium automobile manufacturer underscores its position as a global leader in the production of sporty vehicles with exemplary efficiency. All current models are fitted as standard with extensive measures for the reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The innovations used for this purpose are based on the development strategy BMW EfficientDynamics, which also includes BMW ActiveHybrid technology as well as purely electrical drive systems. With the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, two serial production vehicles have already been launched in which a BMW-specific combination of combustion and electric drive results in an especially efficient increase in the driving dynamics so characteristic of the brand.

Fifth Gear presenter Tom Ford (has nothing to do with the fashion brand!) successfully completed a challenge in which he had to drive from the Channel Tunnel in UK to Munich in Germany and then come back, on one tank of fuel! The car that managed to do this was a BMW 320d EfficiantDynamics which covered a distance of 1,013 miles averaging 68.9mpg.

They say that the car never went below 65mpg for the entire trip and topped 75.9mpg, even though Tom was not on a eco-driving mood and was doing the normal highway pace with an average speed of 59.3mph. He did keep the air con and radio off though.

BMW 320d EfficientDynamics is powered by a 163 hp four-cylinder diesel engine with 360Nm of torque, 0 to 60 mph time of 8.2 seconds and top speed of 137mph.

Tom Ford said : “I was prepared for this car to fail in the real world. I was wrong. Although I did try and be careful and drive in a feather-footed manner, I did cruise at a reasonable 65ish mph on the autoroutes and autobahns, so faster than the usual economy run pace.

“Think about it in the context of everyday motoring: comfortably more than 1,000 miles on one tank of diesel means just 12 fills a year for the average motorist – and even driven normally I still think you’re looking at 750-800 miles per fill. BMW’s EfficientDynamics: it does what it says on the tin.”

He added: “It’s difficult to tell the difference between this model and a standard 320d in terms of driving performance which is brilliant. It means that as well as the obvious financial advantages, this special 320d is a car for the environmentally conscious who still want a car that drives superbly.”

According to a report by InsideLine BMW officials have confirmed that the super advanced Vision EfficientDynamics Concept showed in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, is actually set for production as the firm’s new supercar. If that’s true, then BMW is going to launch a groundbreaking car because there’s nothing like it on the market! Mind you it won’t reach you any time soon. And they have to come up with a new name for it obviously, because the current one is terrible!

Apparently the prototype’s powertrain which is a magnificent system consisting of a three-cylinder turbodiesel and two electric motors developing a total 356 hp and 800 nm will remain intact in the production model, which is good news, but the design will be changed to comply with the health and safety nonsense. For example there won’t be as many glass panels as in the concept car. But we hope they retain its good features like the shape of the tail lights or the scissor doors.

So the Vision EF has got everything it needs to become BMW’s new full-on supercar, good power, magnificent looks, and a sub five second  0 to 60 acceleration! However the word is that total volume is going to be between 5000 to 10,000 units, and that’s not very supercarish! because it won’t be exclusive enough. Maybe BMW doesn’t look at it as a supercar after all!

source: StraightLine

BMW is taking its EfficientDynamics program to the next level by introducing the advanced ActiveHybrid system for the BMW X6 sport activity vehicle. It is the first vehicle of this type to be equipped with a full hybrid power train. The X6 AH can run solely on the electric power, its gasoline engine or a combination of both. In electric mode which is best for city driving,  the top speed of vehicle is limited to 60 km/h or 37 mph. The combustion engine is also intelligent and can engage when necessary and then switch-off automatically in speed of less than 65 km/h or 40 mph.

The ActiveHybrid system that BMW has put in the X6 consists of a twin turbo V8 with 300 kW/407 hp and and two electric motors developing 67 kW/91 hp and, respectively, 63 kW/86 hp. Maximum system output is 357 kW/485 hp, peak torque is 780 Newton-metres/575 lb-ft. These are astonishing numbers for a hybrid car, and it gets better when you know that the average fuel consumption of it is only 9.9 litres/100 km (equivalent to 28.5 mpg) with 231 grams/kilometer Co2 emission. We are talking about a big sporty 4×4 car don’t forget!

With this much power, obviously, there is no compromise in terms of performance. X6 ActiveHybrid accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, after all it’s the most powerful hybrid car in the world!

Integration of the two electric motors in the two-mode active transmission of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 allows two self-sufficient modes of operation. One mode is for setting off in particularly dynamic style and for driving at low speeds, the second is for driving at a higher speeds under optimum conditions. This ensures all the benefits of BMW ActiveHybrid technology, with maximum efficiency under all loads and at all speeds. At the same time the seven-speed automatic transmission provided by the electric motors together with three planetary gearsets and four multiple-plate clutches ensures all the supreme driving behaviour, smoothness and performance so typical of BMW.

The car also has a braking energy recovery system which in essence, uses the wasted energy of braking procedure to recharge the batteries that feed the electric motors. X6′s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system is also refined to spread the power between four wheels more efficiently.

So, basically what we have here is kinda the most perfect car in the world! It’s a BMW so it has a cool badge, it’s a handsome car, it is very powerful, quit spacious, it’s tall yet sporty, it has a stylish coupe form but with four doors… and it’s become also environmentally friendly! What else could you possibly want from a car?!

This is probably the coolest concept car to be shown at the upcoming motor show in Frankfurt, Germany! BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics is a 2+2 sports coupe which combines sheer driving pleasure with maximum efficiency. With 356hp and massive torque of 800nm coming from a three-cylinder turbodiesel and two electric motors, this futuristic machine can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds with top speed of 155mph, while it’s extremely economical at burning fuel with only 3.76 litres/100 km equal to 75.1 mpg!

Character:

• High-performance concept study with BMW ActiveHybrid technology visualising the dynamic performance typical of a BMW against the backdrop of future demands in sustained mobility. BMW Vision EfficientDynamics as a symbol for the future of Sheer Driving Pleasure in harmony with trendsetting efficiency.
• Development aim: The performance of a BMW M Car and a highly emotional character combined with the fuel economy and emission management of a modern small car in the premium class. As a result, this unique sports car offers the most consistent rendition of the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy.
• Innovative approach in the context of BMW EfficientDynamics: The exceedingly good balance of CO2 emission management and driving pleasure results from a revolutionary vehicle concept developed all in one from the ground up, achieving a new level of efficiency combined with a unique driving experience. The overall result goes far beyond the sum total of the individual features and components in this concept car.
• BMW Vision EfficientDynamics offers a realistic impression of the unique potential of BMW ActiveHybrid technology and the great innovative thrust of BMW EfficientDynamics.

Technology:

• Offering a full-hybrid concept, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car is powered by a three-cylinder turbodiesel and two electric motors. Overall system output is 262 kW/356 hp, maximum torque 800 Newton-metres/590 lb-ft. All-wheel drive featuring an electric motor on both the front and rear axle.
• Anticipated performance: Acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, top speed 250 km/h (155 mph) (electronically limited) , fuel consumption in the EU test cycle 3.76 litres/100 km (equal to 75.1 mph imp), CO2 emissions 99 grams/kilometre.
• As a plug-in hybrid, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is able to cover the entire fuel consumption drive cycle under electric power alone. Taking the sources of energy used for generating the electric power consumed into account (EU electricity mix), this reduces the CO2 emission rating to just 50 grams per kilometre.
• Electric power is generated without the slightest increase in fuel consumption through a particularly efficient concept of Brake Energy Regeneration. Energy is stored in 98 lithium polymer cells. The car is able to cover a distance of approximately 50 km/31 miles in the electric mode alone.
• Aerodynamics developed with know-how from Formula 1. CX drag coefficient optimised to just 0.22. Forward-looking energy management uses the maximum potential available in each case to minimise fuel consumption.

Design:

• Technology-oriented body design as a clear expression of consistent lightweight technology and aerodynamic quality. Design language typical of the brand, setting clear signals in terms of sporting performance and optimum efficiency.
• The 2+2-seater concept combines dynamic performance and supreme efficiency with an enhanced level of all-round function. BMW Vision EfficientDynamics symbolises BMW’s commitment to offer an unprecedented driving experience for up to four occupants.
• BMW Vision EfficientDynamics comes with gullwing doors opening up to the side. Innovative, weight-optimised door kinematics makes entering the car at both front and rear convenient and very easy.
• The interior of this unique 2+2-seater intentionally demonstrates the very latest in modern technology. At the same time the use of natural materials underlines BMW’s strategy of sustainability borne out through this concept car.
• The roof and door inserts made of polycarbonate glass automatically become darker as a function of incoming light.

BMW is taking another step ahead in developing clean and dynamic cars by introducing the 320d EfficientDynamics. Powered by the 2.0 liter four-cylinder diesel engine with 163 hp and 360 nm of torque, this 3-series manages 4.1 litres diesel/100 kilometers (equal to 68.9 mpg imp) and a CO2 rating of 109 grams per kilometer in the EU test cycle

BMW 320d’s engine boasts an all-aluminium crankcase, turbocharging with variable intake geometry and common-rail direct fuel injection complete with piezo-injectors. With the engine and the entire car modified once again for an even higher standard of efficiency, this unique saloon targeted above all at the German, Italian, French and Spanish markets comes with optimised aerodynamics, an extra-long final drive ratio, and an innovative two-mass flywheel incorporating a centrifugal-force pendulum.