BMW ActiveHybrid X6 introduced

BMW has released details and images of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6

We reported a couple of weeks ago that the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid would be making an appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, together with the BMW ActiveHybrid 7. But in the last few days leaked images have started to surface of both cars, so BMW has bitten the bullet and released details and images ahead of the show.

BMW claim the X6 ActiveHybrid as the most powerful Hybrid car in production, with its total power output of 480 horses and 575lb/ft of torque. That’s a bit better than a Prius!

All this power comes from the BMW 4.4 litre twin-turbo lump, coupled to a pair of electric motors that deliver 91bhp and 86bhp respectively. All this gets channelled through a 7-speed, dual mode box and BMW’s x-drive system to translate in to a 0-60mph time of 5.4 seconds and a limited top speed of 130mph.

The BMW X6 ActiveHybrid will cut fuel consumption by up to 20% over the regular petrol engined car and emissions are cut to 231g/km. And, assuming the batteries are charged, the X6 will be able to run on just the electric motors at speeds of up to 37 mph – but only for a maximum of 1.6 miles – with the engine cutting in when, and if, needed.

The batteries for the motors are store beneath the luggage compartment floor, so there appears to be no loss of space. The batteries are recharged by an advanced version of BMW’s brake energy regeneration system, which recharges the batteries by capturing the energy that would otherwise be lost. And that energy is also used to drive the electric motors and, when the stop-start on the X6 Hybrid is active, the power is used to run the X6′s electrical systems, including the AirCon.

This is all very clever stuff. We have no idea yet what the BMW ActiveHybrid is going to cost, but we do know it will be in showrooms by the end of the year.

Full details in the far from short BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Press Release.