No BMW hybrids unless they can beat diesels
Even though BMW has been working on a joint development program with General Motors and DaimlerChrysler for the two-mode hybrid system for a couple of years now, it looks like the system may never actually get installed in a BMW vehicle. BMW has been a diesel proponent for many years and will soon be launching new diesels in the US market. However they have yet to publicly commit to a vehicle or introduction date, even though GM will have the system on their full size SUVs starting this fall and Chrysler will introduce it early next year. A BMW engineer told AutoCar that diesels are still more efficient in most real world conditions. The hybrids do well in low speed stop-start conditions, but otherwise can't beat a diesel. At the Detroit Auto Show in January Daniel Kammerer told ABG that BMW wouldn't introduce the hybrids until about 2010-11. Since then BMW has introduced a start-stop system on the 1-Series and announced a mild-hybrid system with DCX. It seems like for the near term, BMW will focus on the simpler lower cost aspects of hybrids in combination with their gas and diesel engines.
[Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mikeinBuilding7 6:59PM (4/12/2007)
I for one, am disappointed.
The real solution to global warming is a Bio-Diesel Plug-in hybrid.
With at Least a 10 mile battery range.
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Turbofrog 9:09PM (4/12/2007)
I don't see why they need to beat diesels, when they can compliment them instead. Gasoline has no monopoly on hybridized powertrains.
I agree that bio-diesel PHEVs sound like the best bet for the short-to-middle term.
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MikeW 10:54PM (4/12/2007)
The solution to global warming is to put a dimmer switch on the sun.
There was a line in newsweek 'we [IPCC] are 90% sure global warming is man made'
I am 90% certain I have a 1% chance at pulling off the perfect bank robbery.
The human component to global warming is 6%, not h*ly sh*t, chicken little 60%, or ohh f*ck 90% (which might time for a Dr. Strangelove attitude, ride the bomb & quoto Shakespeare 'tis better to loved and lost, than to never have loved at all')
Who doesn't like better mileage?
Can BMW raise the bottom? Use ZF's 7p 7 speed auto (no torque converter & 7.28:1 ratio spread) , or the rumored 8 speed auto to be launched in the new 7-series. Have that torque converter locked up 99% of the time.
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George 11:17PM (4/12/2007)
Hybrids arent a real way to go and their just to expensive. I appluad BMW with this desicion. Yes i also believe that Bio-Diesel Plug-in hybrid are the real deal but why waste time and money with ordinary hybrids, clean diesels are out now so why not start now incorporating Bio-Diesel Plug-in hybrids.
i think normal hybrids have waaaaaaaay to much hype in north america, it gets to much respect than it deserves.
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Bob R. 3:07AM (4/13/2007)
I agree that there is much hype surrounding hybrids, but as a hybrid owner I also know the truth: The right hybrid for the right application works very well.
Show me a non-hybrid Diesel, for example, that:
A. Outputs as clean an exhaust as a Prius.
B. Accelerates as quickly as a Prius.
C. Has as much passenger room as a Prius.
D. Has as much cargo room as a Prius.
E. Runs as quietly as a Prius.
F. Costs the same as or less than a Prius.
G. Doesn't pollute at idle/stops.
I will seriously consider purchasing such an automobile when my Prius eventually wears out.
Thanks,
Bob R.
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Scatter 8:58AM (4/13/2007)
Well given that we can't put a dimmer switch on the sun but we can influence human emissions, let's work with what's feasible eh Mike?
Are you guys advocating parallel or series biodiesel hybrids?
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phoenexius 10:09AM (4/13/2007)
Get rid of the weight of the battery and use Compressed Air
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Ron Fischer 4:09PM (4/13/2007)
I own a Prius and a (BMW) Mini Coop (non-S). Tried very hard to match Prius mileage in the city. The only way to get 10 MPG less than the Prius is to drive like a grandma.
The problem is stop and go. If 90% of your driving is on the open road, buy what you like. If you live in LA, NYC, Chicago and crawl/idle in traffic lots during commute time, hybrids are best-case.
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Matt 10:29PM (4/14/2007)
A. Outputs as clean an exhaust as a Prius.
B. Accelerates as quickly as a Prius.
C. Has as much passenger room as a Prius.
D. Has as much cargo room as a Prius.
E. Runs as quietly as a Prius.
F. Costs the same as or less than a Prius.
G. Doesn't pollute at idle/stops.
Apart from points A (even then a diesel might be better at higher speeds here) and G, any modern european diesel is far superior in every respect (except maybe for quietly if you mean when you are doing
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