Filed under: Hybrid, BMW, Lightweight
2009 BMW 7-series leaks, possible hybrid coming in a year
BMW is certainly no fan of the new corporate average fuel economy regulations and for the most part the new fifth generation 7-series debuting this fall is a big middle finger salute to the whole premise. Nonetheless, BMW is incorporating some technology to help the fuel efficiency of its flagship. The Munich carmaker is using aluminum for much of the suspension to help reign in the mass. The 7 is also expected to eventually get either the Two-Mode or mild hybrid systems that it has in development. So far the only vehicle that BMW has committed to equipping with the Two-Mode is the X6. The 7's main competitor, the Mercedes S-class, is getting the mild hybrid system that the two companies have co-developed.
At launch however, American customers are likely to only have one engine choice, the 4.4L twin-turbo V-8 that recently debuted in the X6. Elsewhere, drivers will also have the option of six cylinder gas and diesel engines. BMW has yet to announce any diesel plans beyond the 335d and X5 that are coming this fall. Both sixes are already used in other U.S. BMW models so they could easily be added to the 7. Given the new CAFE rules, it seems likely that the hybrid and six cylinder models will come to the U.S. sooner rather than later.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Noz 6:16PM (7/03/2008)
Hey BMW...
I have a suggestion for you retards....reign in the weight of cars BY:
MAKING THEM SMALLER.
MAKE YOUR ENGINES PRODUCE LESS POWER
Just by doing those two things alone, you'll probably double this car's effciency and fuel mileage.
Seriously...driving around in one of these is no less retarded than being in an SUV. Same thing to me.
Reply
Cary 3:34PM (7/05/2008)
No, it doesn't work that way with these cars. There is a little thing called cost efficiency. Physics don't allow to have a large comfortable and luxurious car that weighs only 22 grams like a Honda Civic. They COULD make it out of carbon fiber to save weight and add strength, but then it would cost serveral hundred-thousand dollars more. They COULD also make them smaller and provide smaller engines, but they do already, it's called the 1-series, 3-series, and 5-series, also see A-class, B-Class, C-Class, and E-Class. If you want smaller and more efficient and still a bit luxurious, get one of the smaller offerings.
armmat 1:39AM (7/07/2008)
Sorry but I disagree...neither the 5 series not 3 series NOR 1 series are anything special when it comes to efficient design. As a matter of fact, the 5 series is very heavy for its size...and so is the 3 and 1 series.
So YES...they could make them all lighter if they didn't have so much crap in them and they spent more time designing the structural components more efficiently.
If Honda can make the Integra Type R a 2700lb car and still cost half as much as a BMW, then BMW has no excuse. YES, the Type R is a stripped car...but even a stripped 3 series or 1 series wouldn't come close to that in weight.
They are simply poorly design.
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Norris Shelton 7:39AM (7/07/2008)
It is not poor design. It is just not designed for what you want. You don't build a car with every imaginable feature, that is super quiet and super rigid and have it weigh as little as a stripped Honda.
Cary said it right. You don't buy one of these because you wanted something else.
If you are shopping for an Integra Type R, you are not in the ballpark for a 7 series or an S class. If you were in that ballpark for a car like this, the price of gas would not be a concern.