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Originally Posted by lionkang
Why join a consortium, why not just license the technology from Toyota? Unless Toyota is charging an arm and leg, which may be the case theyre just blowing cash imo.
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Because the Toyota system, while achieving reasonable production levels, isn't particularly efficient. That doesn't imply that Toyota is standing still, but what they are selling today is pretty much a standard IC powertrain with a parallel golf cart powertrain. BMW and this consortium are pursuing a dual-mode hybrid, instead of a single mode hybrid. The transmission they have announced (4 mechanical gears, plus 2 electric motors, for 6 functions), is quite interesting. It is said to be the same size as a standard automatic transmission. Look for it in the Durango and Mercedes models first. BMW announced in 2004 that they would have an X5 hybrid out in 12 months. Maybe they will this time.
More details on the technology here:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...27/005036.html
Jeff
Edit: the second link that Lemans provided, the Bloomberg feed, states that the BMW will be out in 3 to 5 years.
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