Tag: 2012 BMW F10 Active Hybrid 5

  • Hybrid Cars: Pros And Cons

    Nowadays the automotive industries enhance further their environmental friendly technologies and work on the development of vehicles which produce less CO2 emissions. The hybrid cars are a consequence of this philosophy. They include two engines – one electric and one fuel powered, and this is how they minimize the fuel consumption in drastic levels. In addition they also include a special system which stores more energy in a battery included in the vehicle. The fact that it includes two engines is probably the most controversial one, and it raises many negative and positive feedbacks in the customers of such vehicles around the world. Can they be considered as car of the future? It is only a matter of time to be understood. However, let’s review the advantages and disadvantages of this technology.

    2012 Chevrolet Volt - Side

    PROs:

    First of all the main advantage is that such car is fuel efficient. It effectively spares you a lot of money on fuel. The second one, as you already know, is that hybrid vehicles produce far less toxic emissions and thus are considered as environmentally friendly. Third, with a hybrid, you can enjoy the city driving even more. There are several reasons for this: the mileage ratings of such car are higher in the city. For instance, when you are caught in the traffic and you stop, the battery generates more electricity which can be successfully utilized during the lower speeds. Next to be mentioned is that the hybrid car is unbelievably silent. It is even so silent that when you drive it, some times you doubt that it is working. Yes, you got it – the electric engine is completely soundless. Another benefit that you can get form a hybrid is its battery is durable. Test made on different hybrid vehicles show that after a considerable amount of kilometers driven, the cars battery performance is almost the same. And at last one of the best things about the hybrids is that they need far less maintenance, than an ordinary car. What I have in mind here is that due to the two engines, the gasoline one needs less care. And for example, you need to change the oil in more kilometers traveled, compared to normal car.


    Honda CR-Z sport hybrid Coupe - Side

    CONs:
    Now, let us see the other side of the hybrid technologies and review some disadvantages. The general disadvantage of hybrid cars is that their retail price is extremely expensive in comparison to the ordinary cars. Another negative issue here is that those vehicles have far greater weight and the reason for this are the heavy batteries mounted in them. Third, they aren’t as fast as normal cars. However there are also some major disadvantages here, which are concerning some safety factors. Because they are made from lighter materials and store some additional voltage in their batteries, they tend to be very risky in accidents. Furthermore, hybrids are not very convenient, while driving on the highway. What I mean hear is that they have lower highway mileage and compared to some diesel vehicles, they produce the same fuel efficiency.

    To sum up, the cars of the future seem to be very beneficial when driving in the city area for example. They also produce less CO2 emission, which nowadays is a major factor that must be taken straightly at hand. Moreover, although their retail price is far greater, compared to an ordinary car, when you make the basic mathematics, the fuel that it consumes during its utilization will spare you a lot. At last, although it is not a convenient car during long traveling, it is the perfect vehicle for an environmentally conscientious person.

    Take a look at the hybrid vehicles which, which some popular brands are currently producing:

  • 2012 BMW F10 Active Hybrid 5

    BMW has released full specs of the new F10 ActiveHybrid 5. The highly efficient executive saloon has which a combustion engine and electric motor providing perfect dynamics at decent price.

    The powertrain includes a BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in-line engine, an electric drive system and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The latest generation of BMW ActiveHybrid technology also adds precisely controlled – and therefore extremely effective – intelligent energy management to the mix.

    The result is more than satisfying – 340PS (250 kW) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft); from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) or 60 km/h (37 mph) only on electric power.  The average fuel consumption is 6.4 to 7 liters per 100 km (40-44 mpg imp.) and CO2 emissions: 149 – 163 g/km.

    The combustion engine is the famous twin-turbocharged 3.0 liter in-line six-cylinder petrol with  306PS (225 kW), while the electric motor develops 55PS (40 kW), which is supplied by a high-performance lithium-ion battery integrated into the luggage area.

    The ActiveHybrid 5 comes with ECO PRO mode including coasting and intelligent energy management. Charging of the high-performance battery primarily takes place during coasting or braking, the electric motor performing the role of a generator feeding energy into the high-voltage battery.

    The selection of interior colours, upholstery and interior trim elements reflects the range offered for the other BMW 5 Series Sedan variants. And added to the standard-fitted array of comfort-enhancing features is not only the Navigation system Professional, but also a 4-zone climate control system with stationary air conditioning. A wide range of driver assistance systems and BMW ConnectedDrive mobility services, as well as virtually all the other optional extras available for the conventionally powered BMW 5 Series Sedan, can also be specified for the BMW ActiveHybrid 5.

    The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 will be produced at BMW Plant Dingolfing – the BMW Group’s largest production plant worldwide – alongside the other BMW 5 Series models, ensuring that it benefits from the same high standards of quality and production efficiency. The integration into the production process of BMW ActiveHybrid technology is underpinned by the intelligent combination of state-of-the-art automated process engineering and the skilled craftsmanship of specially trained employees.

    2012 BMW F10 Active Hybrid 5
    2012 BMW F10 Active Hybrid 5

    2012 BMW F10 ActiveHybrid 5:

    Six-cylinder in-line petrol engine, BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Direct Injection and VALVETRONIC;
    Displacement: 2,979 cc, output: 225 kW/306 hp at 5,800 rpm,
    Max. torque: 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) at 1,200 – 5,000 rpm.
    Synchronous electric motor; output: 40 kW/55 hp,
    Max. torque: 210 Nm (155 lb-ft);
    Combined output: 250 kW/340 hp,
    Max. combined torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft).
    Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 5.9 seconds,
    Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph),
    Top speed purely on electric power: 60 km/h (37 mph).
    Average fuel consumption*: 6.4 – 7.0 litres/100 kilometres  (40 – 44 mpg imp),  CO2 emissions*: 149 – 163 g/km,  exhaust standard: EU5.
    *As per the EU test cycle, figures may vary according to the tyre format specified

    Source: BMW