Geneva '08 Preview: BMW to show diesel-hybrid X5 concept
After being all about diesel at the Detroit Auto Show this year, it looks like BMW is going the next step by adding in hybrid technology next month at the Geneva. A new X5-based concept, apparently called the Vision EfficientDynamics, will be on display and it will employ the mild-hybrid system that BMW is developing in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz. In this application, BMW has combined the system with the 201 hp 2.0L twin turbo diesel used in the 123d. Based on the diagram you see above, the hybrid system uses a 120V lithium ion battery that doesn't appear to be much larger than a regular 12V car battery. Electric assist comes from a 15kW motor paired up with an 8-speed automatic transmission. A solar roof is apparently used to pre-heat the transmission fluid, presumably to improve efficiency during cold starts. Mercedes already showed several vehicles equipped with this same mild hybrid system at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September and it's expected to go into production in 2009.
[Source: CarScoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lad 4:39PM (2/21/2008)
Boy! there are a lot less complicated and cheaper ways to get 36mpg than this. I don't see the advantage; in fact it's pretty ugly to boot.
Reply
Throwback 5:20PM (2/21/2008)
Boy! there are a lot less complicated and cheaper ways to get 36mpg than this
Not in a 4000lb SUV.
Reply
Sam Abuelsamid 6:06PM (2/21/2008)
The X5 is more like 5,000 lbs
Reply
MH 6:42PM (2/22/2008)
AFAIK it gets 43Mpg.
Reply
Aimless 4:02AM (2/22/2008)
A MILD hybrid with a 15 kW motor and a 150 kW ICE.
Why even bother? Just use the starter motor, its almost as powerful anyway.
Reply
Sam Abuelsamid 8:32AM (2/22/2008)
43mpg would be with imperial gallons. In US gallons it gets 36mpg
Reply
MikeInNC 8:53AM (2/22/2008)
If it was so easy a lot more companies would already be doing it. As for this, an SUV of this size/weight getting 36mpg (US), I think that's excellent.
Reply
MikeW 11:09AM (2/23/2008)
Which starter is 20hp?
Dodge Cummins 6.7I6?
Reply