Tag-Archive for ◊ BMW ◊

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• Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

BMW has two electric cars in its garage. The Mini E is on a test phase with about 600 units roaming around the streets of the U.S., U.K., and Europe. 2009 BMW Concept ActiveEThey also have the ActiveE Concept that took spotlight during the auto show in Detroit last month.

According to BMW top execs, the two cars are just the tip of the iceberg. The carmaker is looking forward to launch their all electric vehicle that is expected to go on full production by the first half of this decade. This new electric vehicle will solely depend on the power stored in a battery pack.

BMW codenamed the development as Project Megacity which was driven by the research that kicked off with their Project i back in 2008.

The Project Megacity will be an EV that uses designs that will be specific for use in congested city streets. According to insiders, the production of the 2014 model might begin by the second half of 2013. The car is set to be assembled in the BMW plant in Leipzig, Germany.

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Author:
• Monday, January 25th, 2010

2011 BMW 5-SeriesThe 2010 Geneva Motor Show this coming March will be the venue for BMW’s third hybrid car. The new model will be a mid-hybrid version of the recently unveiled 2011 BMW 5-Series set to hit the stores this June.

The ActiveHybrid 5 is expected to be inspired by the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 which is its full size sports sedan on the hybrid luxury class. The 7-Series uses a 3-phase electric motor which is linked to the crankshaft of the car’s V-8 gasoline engine paired with new 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 5-Series will be a mild hybrid. This means that the car will not run relying on the electric engine alone like the 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid. What it will do is utilize the electric motor to restart the gasoline engine after it turns off during stops. The electric motor will also add more torque to help the gasoline engine.

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