Best Car Models & All About Cars: BMW 2012 ActiveHybrid 5

Saturday 12 May 2012

BMW 2012 ActiveHybrid 5

BMW 2012 ActiveHybrid 5

Introduction

With hybrid versions of its bread-and-butter and flagship sedans (3 Series and seven Series, respectively) in the lineup, BMW fills in the mainstream middle with the new 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5. The 5 Series hybrid will use a twin-turbocharged three.0-liter six-cylinder paired with an electrical motor, lithium-ion battery pack and an eight-speed automatic transmission for a combined output of 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. That's regarding 10 percent additional power compared to the regular 535i sedan's turbo-six, and it helps the ActiveHybrid 5 hustle from zero to 60 mph in five.7 seconds, consistent with BMW -- slightly faster than the regular 535i.

EPA fuel economy estimates are still pending, but given that the 535i six-cylinder returns 21 mpg in town and thirty mpg highway, we tend to'd expect the ActiveHybrid 5 -- aided by engine begin-stop and brake regeneration features -- to realize a few mpg beyond that. The ActiveHybrid 5 can also feature what BMW calls "intelligent energy management," that monitors road conditions through the navigation system and optimizes battery use for hills, grades, or slow-and-go town traffic along a programmed route.

Of course, the ActiveHybrid 5 continues to be a five Series. It will likely provide the same driver-selectable dynamic modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport +) as the standard 5 Series, however additionally a hybrid-specific mode that calibrates throttle, steering and handling for greener sport driving.

Available in late spring, the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 can start at nearly $sixty two,00zero. That's a hefty premium -- almost $9,000 -- over the quality 535i, and concerning $7,000 additional than the comparable Infiniti M35h. Check back for a full review of the ActiveHybrid five, including specs, driving impressions and shopping for recommendation as it becomes offered.

BMW 2012 ActiveHybrid 5