BMW 7-Series Hybrid Spied

BMW 7-Series Hybrid Spy / Copyright by CarPix

By Thami Masemola
January 30, 2009 10:57 PM
Filed Under: BMW, German, Spy Photos

Spy pictures of a group of BMW 7-Series Hybrids have been taken while the cars were parked outside in freezing weather. Stickers alluding to them being hybrids are pasted on the sides and rear bumper. BMW Group Sales and Marketing Director Ian Robertson was quoted as saying the 7-Series Hybrid should be available for sale by the end of 2009.

The car will use the ActiveHybrid system underlain by a lithium-ion battery in the boot, in conjunction with a 4.4-litre V8 twin turbo petrol engine. The electric motor makes 20hp (15kW) and 155 ft-lb of torque all by itself, which combined with the 400hp (298kW) V8 with its 450 ft-lb of torque makes for impressive total power. The system is said to cut fuel consumption by 15% thanks also to regenerative braking systems.

In addition to the 7-Series Hybrid BMW is also introducing an X6 Hybrid later this year. The two will share most powertrain parts but they won't be exactly the same. Expectations are that the 7-Series Hybrid will be unveiled officially at the Frankfurt Motor Show. However it could even break cover in Shanghai or New York.

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Tags: BMW, BMW 7 Series, 7 Series Hybrid, X6 Hybrid, 7 Series Hybrid spy

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Comments

Iconic

January 30, 2009 11:22 PM

Why not introduce this on the 3 or 5?? This is as pointless as having an M-hybrid

v6s_stink

January 30, 2009 11:30 PM

The Quandts might want to consider different management. First, the company can't come to terms with Bangle alienating lots of the faithful customers. Second, Bangle and the I-drive submerge the 3 series below the Audi A4 in sales. Now, BMW engineers are being forced to follow the Toyota led marketing gimmick of regenerative braking hybrids. This really heavy, dubious technology doesn't seem to belong in a BMW. Fifteen percent gain in efficiency doesn't mean that the overall life-cycle cost of this technology balances out to the positive.

Edited by user on January 30, 2009 at 11:31 PM

Joe_Limon

January 31, 2009 2:18 AM

few things... while Chris's styling does alienate some faithful bmw types, I believe that overall more people like bmw's thanks to him. Look at all the cars that bmw was producing before him. They were boring boxes, even the American early 90's econo boxes had more style then them... second, since hybrid systems weigh so much, wouldn't it be better to put that in an already heavy car? rather then weighing down the 1series or the 3series to a point where they are no longer appealing? Finally, small cars are already efficient, why try to make a good thing better when you can get more substantial gains out of a poor performer? (fuel economy wise that is)

v6s_stink

January 31, 2009 3:58 PM

I agree that BMW needed more inspired styling and their sales obviously did go up. I disagree that Bangle brought more people in than he drove away. The sales of luxury cars and SUV's skyrocketed with good economic times.

Mercedes Benz, BMW's main competitor hit the skids in quality and desirability during this time. BMW engineering remained outstanding and the quality increased. All seems well until you consider that Audi with "irregular quality" and little new in engineering feats (except the new diesels!) came up from behind and pulled an important pass. Prices between these brands are close enough to not sway the decisions of fairly affluent buyers. I think you have to look at styling and packaging (things like i-drive).

Joe_Limon

January 31, 2009 7:28 PM

So you base your entire idea that BMW has gotten worse around the fact that Audi passed them in sales? Audi's were equally boring until they found their new look. They too look amazing now, and having a very large parent company they can afford to make more cars. If BMW made more cars they would be able to sell all of them, look at VW, Toyota, and GM they sell most of their cars simply because they are the most readily available cars on the market.

BMWPrince

February 1, 2009 3:32 PM

BMW's would be boring without Chris Bangle, I think. As for the deisgns. I like BMW designs, they are extremely interesting - although I am a bit disappointed with the new 7 Series, the new Z4, X5, 1 Coupe, 3 Series are all very nice stylish cars that I think look the best in their respective class.

v6s_stink

February 2, 2009 10:02 PM

Geez Joe,

Where did I say BMW had "gotten worse". I didn't write about BMW as an entity getting better or worse. Gauging whether a corporation has gotten better or worse is a bit to big of a project to do in a little blog. Quality, profits, cost per unit, market share and lots of other variables would have to be considered.

The fact is that BMW made a big deal a couple of years ago about regenerative braking hybrids not being their kind of technology. They trumpeted steam engine boost and capacitor discharge hybrid technology as more appropriate. They are now apparently doing an about face.

BMW lost the sales lead for their most important model. Yes, production capacity can impact this, but I have not seen evidence that Audi is having to have a fire sale on A4's to get them off of the dealership floor. BMW's styling is still polarizing and their avid base seems to be frequently on the negative side of the opinion scale. When times get tough, as reports indicate they have for BMW, having your avid base cool to your current product line isn't a positive thing. Fair economy, newbie friends are not so likely to make the cash register ring.

The things I have mentioned don't mean "BMW has gotten worse", but they do support the Quandt's reconsidering their management team. Most companies have loftier goals for success than "not getting worse". During the last year or so MB and Audi appear to me to be turning things around. My impression is that they are now outperforming BMW by "not getting worse" at a better rate.

Edited by user on February 2, 2009 at 10:05 PM

benz_man

January 31, 2009 1:26 AM

I don't understand why they didn't tack the electric motor to the turbo 6. That would definitely net more than a 15% economy improvement and still be powerful enough to haul this thing around like a Bimmer.

sobecarerra

January 31, 2009 1:46 AM

While I find Bangles designs a touch strange at times, they do stand out. With that said, the 2002-2009 7 series was the MOST successful 7 sold by the company. Says something about polarizing design.THEY SELL!!!

BabyMilo

January 31, 2009 8:32 AM

it just looks soooo sooo boring

BMWPrince

February 1, 2009 3:33 PM

Compared to the S and A8, this is gold. You cannot compare the 7 with an M3!

BabyMilo

January 31, 2009 3:21 PM

now i think that is abit uncalled for

zdenda20

January 31, 2009 11:28 AM

I am a faithful fan of BMW. Would buy the 750Li right away. Love the iDrive. But...20hp electric motor? On that beast? I cant see it making much of a difference, given that they have to put fuel cells (they weigh something) and those fuel cells will have to be dealt with after the car dies...and that puts out a lot MORE energy than what you will save...

benz_man

February 1, 2009 5:06 AM

No fuel-cells yet buddy. And yes, 20HP is low. But 155 ft-lbs of tq at 0 RPM isnt!

isaacu

January 31, 2009 5:11 PM

Cant wait for the 7-Series Hybrid to be available to the buying public, even if on a technical/fuel efficiency scale it does'nt offer much more in comparative terms to a 750Li V8.

As for the styling of this car and other BMWs', "brand- distinctive" and "eye-catching" are the words to describe them.

In my opinion, one word sums up most other car manufacturers' offerings, "anodyn". Enough said.

isaacu

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