At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show BMW presented the new 5 Series, the 5 Series ActiveHybrid concept, and the ActiveE electric concept based on the 1 Series coupe. The BMW catch cry for this year is “Efficient Dynamics“, a project which was first launched at Geneva three years ago. For a better idea of why BMW is so focussed on what may seem a boring concept, check out the BMW physics lesson video after the jump, which takes a jab at Audi via an upstart youngster who knows how to draw the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car.

BMW is more than serious, though, about the technology from that concept car that it intends to adopt across the range. The entire range of BMW vehicles has a calculated average of fuel consumption for each vehicle of just 5.9 l/100 km. The ActiveE will soon start road tests, while the Megacity concept development will get underway.

In addition to the environmental focus, on display at the show is the X5 restyling, the 3 Series coupe and cabriolet restyling, the 2010 X6 range and the Z4 SDrive 35is. There was also the 135i with Valvetronic Twinpower Turbo N55 with dual-clutch technology, which is a technical novelty for the BMW M5 now available with Start-Stop, a Competition Package and rear LED lights. We’ll be bringing you more details and pics of the new BMW 5 Series, X5 and the other models from the show, but see these live pics from Geneva to see if BMW is staying exciting while focussing on its technology.

BMW 5 Series live pics from Geneva motor show

Continue reading: BMW live pics from Geneva and Efficient Dynamics physics lesson video

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics prototype will get to production, although it may have a different name when it does get rolled out (thank God, right?). The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics was a very impressive 2+2 hybrid concept that first debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September last year.

There was already talk about whether this very sleek car would ever see production, and nbow the response from BMW is a probable ‘yes’. No time frame has been established yet, although apparently we could be looking at a limited run of between 5,000 and 10,000 units. We originally guessed that BMW would use different components from the Vision concept car on various models in its range, but the possibility of seeing a dedicated model is quite exciting. We get the feeling it may have a head start on the Audi E-Tron in terms of image and style, and if both go into production we could see an all-out war in hybrid coupe models.

While the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics originally had a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel engine combined with two electric motors, some of the essentials may change. The engine combo, producing 163 hp may stay the same, but according to a BMW insider, less synthetic glass and more solid structure will appear in the final design, making the chassis and style of the car slightly different.

Source | InsideLine via 4wheelsnews

Continue reading: BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics to enter production

The BMW Concept ActiveE will be released at the Detroit auto show in January. Based on the 1-Series coupe, it is equipped with an electric engine with 170 hp and lithium ion batteries. This video teaser of the Concept ActiveE, with Efficient Dynamics, focuses on the comfort and space of the vehicle.

Continue reading: BMW Concept Active E video teaser

Here’s a closer look at the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Apart from our impression that there’s a lot of blue involved, it’s a very intriguing model and we’ll be curious to see in the future how BMW might go about putting this into production.

It’s far more likely that BMW will incorporate the various technological innovations of the Vision concept on different models in its range, but we think there could still be space for one version that includes all the innovations. At it’s simplest, the Vision concept is a plug-in hybrid sports car with BMW sports performance, but minimal emissions and fuel consumption.

Top speed is 250 km/hr, acceleration time is 4.8 seconds to reach 100 km/hr and fuel consumption is just 3.76 litres per 100 km/hr with 99 grams per kilometre of CO2 emissions. The engine is a three-cylinder, 1.5-litre turbodiesel with 163 hp, which is a new development for BMW. Two electric motors are included, one for each wheel axis and they can work either independently or with the endothermic engine. Using them independently obviously results in a zero emissions car.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

Continue reading: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics live pics from Frankfurt

The BMW stand at the Frankfurt motor show features the 5-Series GT, the X1, the X6 ActiveHybrid, the 7-series ActiveHybrid, the X5M and X6M and a few new models as well.

Coming up, we take a closer look at the imposing Vision EfficientDynamics concept, but among the newbies is basically the whole family. It includes the 7-Series High Security, 7-Series M-sport, 7-Series XDrive with all wheel drive, the X3 18d, 1-Series model year 2010, 320d Efficient Dynamics, M3 Edition, M6 Competition Limited Edition and the whole new BMW Performance kit for four cylinder engines. The 2.0-litre diesel gets an increase from 177 hp to 197 hp and torque is up from 350 to 390 Nm.

The X5M and X6M both have 550 hp, while the many engine pics below also take a look at the X6 ActiveHybrid V8 4.4-litre unit with 485 hp and 780 Nm. Both the X6 and 7-Series ActiveHybrid have the new eight-speed automatic gearbox and Start-Stop systems. Check it all out in the gallery below.

BMW live pics from Frankfurt motor show

Continue reading: BMW range: live pics from Frankfurt

The Vision EfficientDynamics has debuted at Frankfurt in these live pics, in a huge stand at the show with an elevated stage. BMW is casting itself as the world’s most environmentally responsible brand, continuing its research into hybrid and electric technology.

New products at the BMW Frankfurt stand include the 5-Series GT, X1, 320d Efficient Dynamics, BMW X6 ActiveHybrid and ActiveHybrid 7-Series. But the absolute queen of the stand is the Vision EfficientDynamics concept, which is truly an ambitious project both technically and stylistically.

It has a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with 163 hp, and two electric motors, one for each wheel axis. A new electronics system that studies road conditions is included, along with GPS on-board sensors which can contribute to regulating air intake based on the road being travelled, for example.

BMW live pics Frankfurt

Continue reading: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics live pics from Frankfurt

Audi has released these viral videos as a teaser to the Frankfurt show premiere of its new electric car. While the videos show nothing of the car, they’re a lot of fun and are about introducing the theme of “untamed” electricity.

The Audi electric concept car to be presented at Frankfurt will be a kind of coupe electric R8 and is clearly competing with the launch of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept. See the dedicated Audi E-Tron site for more details.

Continue reading: Audi E-Tron teaser videos: electric R8 to be presented at Frankfurt

After the first details released of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid concept to appear at the Frankfurt motor show this month, here are the first official videos demonstrating the concept car and its impressive design.

The quite spectacular car has a three-cylinder diesel engine combined with two electric motors on the front and rear axles for a maximum power output of 356 hp. The provocative design has been studied in merit of the aerodynamics.

In the video you get a real sense of the 2+2 coupe and its design principles, with both the engine technology and chassis explained. The impression one gets is of a car that has been designed both intelligently and passionately. The video is in three parts with episode two and three after the jump.

Continue reading: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics videos

BMW released its gallery of the Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid concept car, dubbed the world’s fastest hybrid. It apparently has the performance of an M3 and the fuel efficiency of a Mini, in a particularly impressive design.

Below is the full gallery and brief release detailing BMW’s new look at aerodynamics and style, lightweight body and of course, the BMW hybrid-drive technology featured in this concept. The engine is a diesel-hybrid 1.5-litre, three-cylinder unit with 163 hp and about 290 Nm of torque.

The Vision EfficientDynamics concept will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show this month, and will remain a kind of inspiration for the future direction of BMW. It is set to influence overall BMW design principles, as well as showcase some impressive hybrid technology, and even the use of a thermo-electric generator. Check out the details below.

Bmw Vision EfficientDynamics concept

Continue reading: BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics hybrid concept revealed

BMW will be showing in Geneva their BMW Vision EfficientDynamic, a concept car based on the BMW X5 with a novel hybrid propulsion system based on the recent 2.0 litre Variable Twin Turbo diesel engine.

The diesel engine outputs 204 ps / 400 Nm, while the electric engine contributes a maximum of 15 kW of power and a torque of 210 Nm, which makes it possibile to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 8,9 seconds, with an average fuel consumption of just 6.5 litres/100 km on the EU test cycle.

The generator used in the brake energy regeneration system is directly integrated in the gearbox housing and feeds a lithium-ion battery housed in the luggage compartment. Most vehicle functions are powered electrically and the Auto Start/Stop function should act seamlessy to avoid needless idling. There is also a 1 square meter solar cell on the roof which generates up to one kilowatt.

Continue reading: Geneva 2008 - BMW X5 hybrid concept