As promised earlier, BMW has revealed the ActiveHybrid version of the all-new 2010 5-series for Geneva Motor Show. The car is a concept for now, but after a bit more testing and development, it’ll go into production and will reach the market in 2011. The 5er ActiveHbrid, or should we say ActiveHybrid 5, uses the same hybrid system as in the ActiveHybrid X6 ActiveHybrid 7, but with different engine and electric motor.
Instead of the twin-turbo V8 engine, the 5er uses the famous 300hp turbocharged straight six as the main source of power, and it’s joined by a new electric motor which develops a healthy 40KW which also offers a boost function, supporting the gasoline engine in generating particularly dynamic drive power for an even more sporting driving experience. They are both connected to a eight-speed automatic transmission. So as you see there’s no shortage of power.
The drivetrain technology featured in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid allows all-electric, zero-emission motoring in city traffic. At the same time a special hybrid-based Auto Start Stop function offers additional efficiency by consistently switching off the combustion engine when stopping at the traffic lights, a road junction, or in congested traffic. Optimised comfort, finally, is provided by the auxiliary climate control function already featured in the BMW ActiveHybrid 7.
Special development of ActiveHybrid technology as part of BMW EfficientDynamics. The concept car based on the new BMW 5 Series Sedan for the first time presents the next generation of BMW ActiveHybrid technology, a special solution exclusive to BMW for intelligent interaction of the combustion engine and electric drive focused specifically on the requirements made of a dynamic sedan in the upper midrange segment.The high-voltage battery likewise developed for this specific concept is fitted within a high-strength special case near the rear axle of the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid. This leads to an optimum position in terms of both safety and harmonious weight distribution. An integrated control unit permanently analyses the charge status of the high-voltage battery and controls both the battery charge process by way of Brake Energy Regeneration and the system cooling process. Apart from the electric motor, the high-voltage battery also delivers electric power to the car’s on-board network. Among other things, this allows efficient operation of the car’s auxiliary climate control activated whenever required by a remote control function to cool down the car’s interior significantly even before starting the engine.
Of course like all the other highly efficient hybrid vehicles, the ActiveHybrid 5 features Auto Start/Stop system too, but it also comes with a much more sophisticated intelligent energy management system with advance analysis of driving conditions. A further unique feature of energy management in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid is the car’s ability to adjust its operating strategy not just to current, but also to upcoming driving conditions. To do this the power electronics from the start evaluate data indicating a possible change in exterior conditions or the driver’s wishes and prepare the components in the drivetrain as well as the car’s electronic system for a possible change in requirements.
To analyse driving conditions up front, the system uses data provided by engine and chassis management as well as the sensors in the driver assistance systems on board the car. Data saved in the navigation system on the route chosen by the driver likewise goes into the final calculation, enabling the system to forecast driving conditions on the route directly ahead. Then, proceeding from this analysis, the car is coordinated in advance and the optimum use of all systems serves to use the energy available with maximum efficiency.
BMW has not yet announced any performance numbers for this car, but they should be revealed as soon as the production version is ready to be unveiled
