New 7-Series ActiveHybrid Concept

[LeMansX5]

New 7-Series ActiveHybrid Concept




PRESS RELEASE - New 7-Series ActiveHybrid Concept

Character:

• World debut of the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid for the first time offering the potential of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in the luxury saloon segment as part of the BMW EfficientDynamics innovation strategy. In typical BMW style, this new Concept Car combines a significant reduction of fuel consumption and emissions with a standard of driving dynamics never seen before even in this class of hybrid cars.
• The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid comes with an intelligent symbiosis of the V8 cylinder petrol engine and electric drive as a mild hybrid concept. The drivetrain technology featured in the Concept Car allows enhanced driving dynamics together with a reduction of fuel consumption and emissions by 15 per cent in the EU test cycle versus the same car running on a combustion engine only. And at the same time the use of BMW ActiveHybrid technology does not require any concessions in terms of everyday driving qualities and the specific features of the BMW 7 Series.
• The Concept Car offers the ideal synthesis of motoring comfort, visual presence and supremacy of the BMW 7 Series, on the one hand, combined with future-oriented, high-efficiency BMW ActiveHybrid technology, on the other. This provides the option to enrich the sheer driving pleasure so typical of the BMW brand by the additional highlights and fortes of BMW ActiveHybrid. Implementation of such technologies in a luxury performance saloon of this calibre leads to a new perception of hybrid technology as such: In the configuration developed by BMW hybrid technology ensures a significant increase in efficiency without in any way giving up the high standard of driving dynamics, motoring safety and comfort so typical of the brand.

Technical highlights:

• The drivetrain of the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is made up of a V8 gasoline engine with Twin Turbo and High Precision Injection based on the power unit of the BMW 750i. Maximum output of the conventional engine in the regular production model is 300 kW/407 hp, with peak torque of 600 Newton-metres or 442 lb-ft.
• Now this superior engine is combined with an electric motor fully integrated in the transmission housing, developing maximum output of 15 kW/20 hp and peak torque of 210 Newton-metres/155 lb-ft. So with the mild hybrid concept, the electric motor boosts the dynamic driving potential of the eight-cylinder gasoline engine in a unique manner most appropriate for the character of the BMW 7 Series, giving the car even more dynamic acceleration.
• Using Brake Energy Regeneration, the electric motor supplies electric power to the power-consuming items on board the car, minimising the direct conversion of fuel into electrical energy and maximising the drive power available for enhanced driving dynamics.
• The V8 power unit offers ideal features for a concept focusing on both driving dynamics and efficiency all in one. It is the only eight-cylinder gasoline engine in the world with its turbochargers arranged conveniently in the V-space between the two rows of cylinders, and at the same time it is the most efficient engine in its class.
• The hybrid components developed for the Concept Car are based on technology created by BMW and Daimler in their cooperation on hybrid drive systems. In this joint venture the two manufacturers have successfully developed components for hybrid drive including the power electronics and high-voltage batteries. Naturally, the hybrid drive system featured by BMW offers all the characteristics and highlights typical of the brand.
• BMW ActiveHybrid is based on a modular concept following the “Best of Hybrid“ strategy and in each case integrating the best components for different vehicle segments. The components featured in the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid – the mild hybrid transmission and the eight-cylinder petrol engine – supplement each other in the same ideal manner as the full hybrid transmission and the eight-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid.
• The compact electric motor integrated in the transmission housing replaces the conventional alternator driven by the engine as well as the starter. Electrical energy is generated through Brake Energy Regeneration with a unique degree of efficiency and without in any way impairing the drive power of the engine itself. Integrated power electronics, in turn, ensure compact design within dimensions never seen before, as well as safe and secure arrangement of all hybrid components.
• A high-performance lithium-ion battery integrated in the luggage compartment in accordance with the package of the car saves the energy generated and supplies power to the on-board network. Through its high storage capacity, the battery makes full use of Brake Energy Regeneration with its particular potential.
• Thanks to the higher degree of electric power provided in this way, additional functions in the car are run completely under the electric power supply. The Auto Start Stop function preventing the combustion engine from running in the idle mode is particularly helpful and comfort-oriented in this case thanks to the combination with ActiveHybrid technology.

Exterior design:

• The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid demonstrates the integration of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in the BMW 7 Series luxury saloon. All hybrid components are fitted and arranged according to the car’s specific package. The electric motor and the power electronics are integrated in the transmission housing, where they cannot even be seen from outside. A specially designed trough in the luggage compartment made of aluminium accommodates the compact lithium-ion battery.
• The front end of the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid boasts the natural presence so typical of the 7 Series, enhanced in particular by the large, upright BMW kidney grille. A specific feature of the Concept Car is the aluminium band stretching across the entire width of the front end beneath the numberplate and serving to provide a controlled flow of air in the interest of optimum aerodynamics.
• The lower air intake scoop is covered in the middle by this aluminium band, the openings to the left and right reflecting the contours of the headlights just above and split horizontally by the aluminium band tapering out towards the sides.
• The foglamps fitted at the extreme edge of the air intake openings are made up in each case of seven LED light units.
• Seen from the side, the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is further enhanced in its sporting and elegant look by 20-inch light-alloy rims in V-spoke design. The rims are finished in body colour, the Blue Water Metallic paintwork on the car and rims serving as a particular sign of distinction for BMW’s maximum-efficiency Concept Cars.
• At the rear of the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid an additional air guidance element made of aluminium and exhaust tailpipes with new contours symbolise and round off the innovative drive concept. As an analogy to the front end of the car, the aluminium band integrated in the rear apron stretches across the entire width of the vehicle, at the same time forming the upper surround on the exhaust tailpipes both positioned far to the outside. The unusually wide and flat contours of the tailpipes, finally, form an almost multiple-plate structure thanks to the additional horizontal crossbar.

[Hitman]

Amazing engineering, especially the 8-speed transmission. A good competitor of the Lexus LS600h.

[E61Silver]

You mean that BMW is going to make a Hybrid, what do all you Hybrid haters have to say now?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

You mean that BMW is going to make a Hybrid, what do all you Hybrid haters have to say now?

Not sure if I qualify as a hybrid-hater, since I only despise them but don't hate them, but I would say that since this is mild hybrid, it is only mildly ridiculous.

Hybrid designs play mostly to stop-and-go traffic. Why is a 7 series being optimized for stop-and-go traffic? Stop and go doesn't require 400 hp last time I checked. Since this is a mild hybrid, it seems to be mainly an image machine, and not a practical vehicle. BMW gets to say they are green. But how can you be green with a twin turbo V8 in a 5 passenger sedan. I will go with my original thesis; it is only mildly ridiculous. Interesting engineering, albeit misguided.

[E61Silver]

Originally Posted by JCL

Not sure if I qualify as a hybrid-hater, since I only despise them but don't hate them, but I would say that since this is mild hybrid, it is only mildly ridiculous.

Hybrid designs play mostly to stop-and-go traffic. Why is a 7 series being optimized for stop-and-go traffic? Stop and go doesn't require 400 hp last time I checked. Since this is a mild hybrid, it seems to be mainly an image machine, and not a practical vehicle. BMW gets to say they are green. But how can you be green with a twin turbo V8 in a 5 passenger sedan. I will go with my original thesis; it is only mildly ridiculous. Interesting engineering, albeit misguided.

I think your point that Hybrid designs play mostly to stop-and-go traffic is key.

If you drive in stop and go traffic every day, then should consider a Hybrid.
If you do not then buying a Hybrid has limited benefit and when consider the additional environmental impact of making a Hybrid you may actually be hurting the environment more.

I think innovation is good and the Prius provided that. I don't think that a Hybrid is the solution but for certain application it is a step forward.