2012 new BMW ActiveHybrid 5, looking to improve the fuel economy of its vehicle lineup, The BMW 5-Series is still quite new and will likely introduce the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 in the summer of 2011.
The hybrid system offers all-electric power up to 37 mph and pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Being based on the 535i, the ActiveHybrid 5 also sports a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. The combined output is closer to the 335is, however, at 335 horsepower, and acceleration is punchy for any sedan, let alone a hybrid, at 5.7 seconds to 60 mph. Those figures put it in the same league with--but slightly behind--the Infiniti M35h.
The automaker has added a host of other tweaks, both computerized and hardware, to help ensure the hybrid maximizes its efficiency. Those include: regenerative charging of the lithium-ion battery during coasting and braking; a start-stop system; an ECO PRO driving mode that relaxes throttle response and shifts and also cuts the engine during coasting at speeds of up to 100 mph; integrated navigation to select the most efficient route; and more.
BMW is hopeful that these advances will improve the 2012 ActiveHybrid 5's fuel economy by at least 10 percent over its 535i counterpart.