BMW 5-series hybrid joining 2012 U.S. line-up

German auto giant BMW has just expanded their line-up of hybrids with the launch of the all-new BMW 5-series-based hybrid, dubbed ActiveHybrid 5.

Essentially a BMW 535i sedan which is tailored to run with the assistance of an electric motor, the ActiveHybrid 5 combines BMW’s 3.0-litre turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine, an electric drive system and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Unofficial reports suggest that the vehicle has a combined output of 335 hp and 447 Nm of torque, allowing it to do the 0-100 kph run in 5.7 seconds. The ActiveHybrid 5 can be driven using the electric motor alone for up to a generous 4 km at a maximum speed of a mind-blowing 60 kph. The powerful electric motor is housed within the transmission to save space, while the high-performance 96-cell lithium-ion battery pack with dedicated cooling system is positioned between the wheel arches in the trunk.

Several other features unique to the ActiveHybrid 5 include an Eco Pro mode integrated into the standard Driving Dynamics Control for maximum efficiency, a hybrid start-stop function which allows the car to accelerate from standstill using only the electric motor or both electric motor and the combustion engine depending on the battery charge levels, a coasting mode operable upto 160 kph whereby the combustion engine is completely shut-off and decoupled from the drive shaft ensuring zero-emission and maximum efficiency, satellite navigation-linked powertrain components, and a revised iDrive interface displaying a variety of information pertaining to energy management and efficiency.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 shall hit the showrooms in the U.S. by March next year. Unsurprisingly enough, the ultimate hybrid driving machine will not make it to the dealer showrooms in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC nations.