BMW will appear at the Frankfurt motor show with a new environmental brand and the world’s most powerful hybrid, according to the company. The cars to go hybrid at Frankfurt will be the X6 and the 7-Series, to be badged ActiveHybrid X6 and ActiveHybrid 7-Series.

Both vehicles will be equipped with V8 petrol engines, while the X6 will have two electric motors and the 7-Series will have one. The X6 will have 478 hp and approximately 780 Nm of torque, meaning it reaches 100 km/hr in just 5.6 seconds.

The only drawback will be the heavier weight, with the ActiveHybrid X6 185 kg heavier than the standard X6, for a total of 2,450 kg. It will appear with a new metallic blue colour and a “powerdome” on the bonnet to differentiate it from the X6 non-hybrid.

The 7-series could prove one very efficient and appealing hybrid with 459 hp, reaching 100 km/hr in 4.9 seconds. The electric motor, however, works as a back-up for the V8, meaning this may not be considered a true hybrid.

It is unlikely we’ll see the new models appear under the sub-brand for environmental BMW’s as they may keep their place as an additional offering in the line-up. The new brand will also be presented at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show and will work like the “M” brand of high performance BMW’s.

Speculation is that BMW will adopt “E” or “EV” for the environmental brand, although the “Metro” name is still owned by the company. The BMW “Megacity” electric car project will most likely fall under the brand.

Source | Autocar