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BMW has chosen its X5 luxury SUV as the platform on which to showcase a hybrid concept, dubbed Vision EfficientDynamics. The all-wheel-drive concept utilizes a 204-horsepower, twin-turbo 2.0-liter diesel engine that’s supplemented by an electric motor, according to BMW.
Unlike the previously shown X6 hybrid concept, the mild hybrid system in the Vision EfficientDynamics cannot operate solely on electric power. However, the diesel engine does turn off when the vehicle comes to a halt to save fuel, and the concept also features regenerative braking technology to capture kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost. That energy is stored for later use in a lithium-ion battery pack in the rear of the SUV. Average fuel economy for the concept is about 36 mpg, according to the automaker. An X5 with the base 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 15/21 mpg city/highway.
The concept uses a new eight-speed automatic transmission BMW has developed with ZF. BMW says this transmission is ready for “serial production use,” so look for it to appear in future BMW cars and SUVs as the German automaker aims to erase its gear-count deficit with Lexus, which uses an eight-speed automatic in its flagship LS full-size sedan.
The Vision EfficientDynamics has some unique styling elements, like silver bumpers and special 19-inch alloy wheels, the latter of which BMW says allow the SUV to operate more efficiently thanks to their aerodynamic qualities. Beyond that, though, its appearance is much like your everyday X5 — not a bad thing, as that SUV is rather stylish. The concept also has solar panels on the roof that can be used to run a cool box in the car and heat gear oil to increase efficiency.
It’ll be interesting to see how BMW — a company universally recognized as a builder of engaging-to-drive cars — integrates hybrids into its lineup, as it appears ready to do. Hybrids introduce more electronics to a vehicle, and if they diminish the driving experience, BMW fans aren’t likely to take kindly to that.