BMW's ActiveHybrid 5 comes to Thailand
Based on 5 Series sedan, the hybrid mixes 'exceptional balance of power with fuel economy' and retains its sportiness
At the recently concluded Bangkok International Motor Show, a good number of luxury carmakers exhibited hybrid vehicles, offering them to Thai customers.
It’s true that hybrid vehicles originated from the lower segment of the market, but today the concept is also being adopted by luxury auto-makers such as Lexus, Porsche and BMW.
At the auto show, BMW displayed the ActiveHybrid 5, which is based on its 5 Series saloon, and said it was serious about offering it to Thai customers.
Power comes from a BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in-line engine plus an electric drive system and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, a combination that is offered for the first time in the company’s history.
BMW claims that the latest generation of its ActiveHybrid technology also comes with precise and intelligent energy management that gives the car exceptional balance of power and fuel economy.
The drive system generates combined output of 340hp, allows the car to be driven on electric power alone at up to 60kmph, accelerates the ActiveHybrid 5 from 0 to 100kmph in 5.9 seconds, cuts average fuel consumption to between 6.4 and 7 litres per 100 kilometres and has CO2 emissions of just 149–163 g/km. And it goes all the way to an electronically limited 250km/h.
The gasoline engine in the ActiveHybrid 5 is the same unit used in the BMW 535i. The electric motor, meanwhile, develops 55hp and is supplied with energy by a high-performance lithium-ion battery integrated into the luggage area. Power from the two drive systems is transferred to the rear wheels by the eight-speed automatic gearbox.
So in addition to its full-hybrid construction, which enables purely electric and therefore local emission-free driving in urban conditions, the ActiveHybrid 5 is able to maintain a highly sporty performance as well as a double-digit percentage improvement in fuel economy over the 535i.
Just like conventional hybrid systems, the battery is charged during coasting or braking, and the electric motor provides additional boost while accelerating.
Moreover, while coasting at speeds of up to 160kmph in Eco-Pro mode, the combustion engine can be switched off and fully decoupled. In addition, there is also an engine start-stop function to further lower fuel consumption.
Meanwhile, the power electronics in the car are linked up with the navigation system Professional, which comes standard. This allows forward-looking analysis of the driving situation, enabling the drive components to be primed to deliver maximum efficiency (the effect may vary according to the quality of the available navigation data).
Basically, the ActiveHybrid 5 looks the same as the normal 5 Series, but there are some small differences. The “ActiveHybrid 5” lettering on the C-pillars, the BMW kidney grille with galvanised slats and the exhaust matt chrome tailpipes set the exterior apart from other models in the range.
The car, which runs on 18-inch Streamline light-alloy wheels boasting exceptional aerodynamic efficiency, also comes with Bluewater metallic paint, “ActiveHybrid 5” door-sill strips, an aluminium plate on the centre console with the same ID, a bespoke engine cover and the visible “ActiveHybrid Power Unit” inscription on the special casing for the high-performance battery accommodated in the luggage area.
BMW hasn’t announced the retail pricing of the ActiveHybrid 5 but bear in mind that it will enjoy low excise duty of 10 per cent for hybrid vehicles, so BMW should be able to cook up something interesting here.
Company insiders say the retail pricing should be in the mid-Bt5-million neighbourhood despite being fully imported. Official pricing will be announced shortly after the car has fully passed homologation, they said.
The present 5 Series line-up in Thailand ranges from the 520i (Bt3.599 million) to the 528i Sport (Bt4.299 million).
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 specs
Engine: 24-valve in-line-six gasoline engine with twin turbochargers
Displacement: 2,979cc
Max output: 306hp/5,800 rpm
Max torque: 400Nm/1,200-5,000 rpm
Synchronous electric motor output: 55 hp
Max torque: 210 Nm
Combined output: 340hp
Max combined torque: 450Nm
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 5.9 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h (60km/h purely on electric power)
Average fuel consumption: 6.4-7.0 litres/100 kilometres
CO2 emissions: 149-163 g/km
