BMW is proud to present the most supreme and luxurious rendition of hybrid technology ever seen so far in the automobile: BMW ActiveHybrid 7, which was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show this week.

Based on the BMW 7 Series, this unique car sets new standards for efficiency in the luxury class. BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is the fi rst car in the world to combine a V8 gasoline engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor as a mild hybrid concept.

This symbiosis of an upgraded eight-cylinder with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and High Precision Injection with a three-phase synchronous electric motor gives BMW ActiveHybrid 7 overall system output of 342 kW/465 hp and maximum torque of 700 Newton-metres/516 lb-ft.

Power is transmitted via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the electric motor positioned in compact configuration between the combustion engine and the converter on the automatic transmission receiving its supply of energy from a lithium-ion battery developed especially for use in the automobile.

Precisely controlled interaction of both power sources serves to optimise not only the effi ciency but also the dynamic performance and superior comfort of BMW ActiveHybrid 7.

The result is a truly thrilling driving experience and, at the same time, a unique demonstration of hybrid technology with its outstanding potential. BMW ActiveHybrid 7accelerates to 100 km/h in a mere 4.9 seconds, while keeping average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle to 9.4 litres/ 100 kilometres (equivalent to 29.1 mpg imp) and restricting CO2 emissions to just 219 grams per kilometre.

Hybrid technology also provides new options for the particularly efficient use and enjoyment of additional comfort functions.

As an example, BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is the fi rst BMW with automatic transmission to feature an Auto Start Stop function avoiding idle speed operation of the engine when at a standstill or in traffi c jams.

A further signifi cant advantage is that the air conditioning and ventilation system remains fully operational also with the engine switched off, power being supplied directly through the 120-volt on-board network operating on the lithium-ion battery.

This unique concept of engine management for the fi rst allows truly effective climate control also at a standstill in a luxury performance car, cooling the interior of BMW ActiveHybrid 7 to a signifi cantly lower temperature right from the start, before the driver even fi res the engine.

Special displays in the instrument cluster and the Control Display inform the occupants of the degree of effi ciency and the current operating status of the hybrid components.

Nineteen-inch light-alloy rims in aerodynamically optimized ten-spoke turbine wheel design created exclusively for BMW ActiveHybrid 7 as well as model designations on the luggage compartment lid, the C-pillars behind the side windows and on the door cutouts clearly set aside the hybrid models from their “regular” counterparts right from the start.

And last but certainly not least, BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is also available in Bluewater metallic exterior paintwork exclusive to this very special model.

Like the existing models within the BMW 7 Series, BMW’s fi rst luxury saloon with hybrid drive is entering the market in two body variants.

The extended version of BMW ActiveHybrid 7 comes with wheelbase increased by 14 centimetres or 5.5″, benefi ting exclusively the rear-seat passengers. And to optimize the driving experience and grand touring comfort for individual requirements, both models are available with a wide range of options from the portfolio of equipment and accessories offered on the BMW 7 Series.

[View with PicLens]

BMW ActiveHybrid as a major element of the BMW Effi cientDynamics development strategy.

Right from the start, the regular production models in the new BMW 7 Series come with a broad scope of BMW Effi cientDynamics technologies quite unparalleled worldwide in their diversity and effects. Now BMW ActiveHybrid technology offers yet another option, hybrid technology for the fi rst time achieving the unique standard already defi ned by BMW in the luxury performance segment.

BMW ActiveHybrid 7 takes a truly innovative approach in ensuring outstanding efficiency in the luxury class. At the same time this unique saloon offers dynamic driving characteristics at a level by far exceeding everything hybrid cars have been able to offer so far.

Appropriate use of the electric motor also in the interest of driving comfort likewise ensures yet another signifi cant step into the future provided by the development of hybrid components focusing on both the requirements of the luxury class and the characteristics so typical of a genuine BMW. The result is an extremely effi cient luxury performance saloon at the same time offering unprecedented Sheer Driving Pleasure for a hybrid car.

BMW ActiveHybrid is an important module within the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy offering technologies able to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions on every new model and at the same time enhance driving performance to an unprecedented standard.

Now the innovative drivetrain technology of BMW ActiveHybrid 7 serves to further enhance the effi ciency of the car and the driving pleasure it is able to offer, with the gasoline engine and electric motor being perfectly coordinated with one another to provide a signifi cant improvement of dynamic performance and motoring comfort and, at the same time, to capitalise on the use of energy in the fuel under a wide range of different driving conditions.

BMW uses hybrid technology wherever it can make a particularly effective contribution to the reduction of fuel consumption and emissions. As a rule, the savings potential of hybrid technology increases with the power of the combustion engine interacting with the system. Precisely this is why BMW ActiveHybrid technology in conjunction with a V8 power unit achieves a signifi cantly greater effect than when combined, say, with a six- or four cylinder engine.

In the case of BMW ActiveHybrid 7 precise coordination of the electric motor and the V8 power unit serves to optimise the effi ciency of the combustion engine under all kinds of different loads and under many conditions. And through its use in a luxury performance saloon, BMW’s sophisticated ActiveHybrid technology offers a particularly convincing rendition of its exclusive character.

Best of Hybrid: flexible development for optimised concepts on each model.

The hybrid components featured in BMW ActiveHybrid 7 were developed jointly by BMW and Daimler in a cooperation project seeking to develop and test components for hybrid drive in luxury performance cars. Apart from the electric motor and the lithium-ion battery, this joint venture also served to develop the power electronics for the high-voltage network featured in BMW ActiveHybrid 7.

Each manufacturer subsequently integrated the hybrid components into the respective model in accordance with individual, brand-specific requirements. These unique characteristics also come out clearly in BMW ActiveHybrid 7 through the combination of an eight-cylinder power unit with electric drive.

BMW ActiveHybrid is based on a modular principle which, following the Best of Hybrid strategy, ensures perfect integration of the optimum component in various vehicle concepts. Hence, the mild hybrid concept of BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is tailored ideally to the specifi c requirements of this model as is the full hybrid concept for BMW ActiveHybrid X6, likewise reaching production standard in the year 2009.

BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is built at BMW Plant Dingolfi ng about 70 miles north-east of Munich.Also building all other versions of the BMW 7 Series (and a number of other models), BMW Plant Dingolfing offers a truly unique standard of excellence confirmed by numerous prizes and awards in the use of innovative production technologies and the fulfi lment of supreme quality requirements.

Precisely for this purpose, the Plant combines the most advanced, automated production technologies with the craftsmanship of specially trained associates in a most intelligent manner. And having won the Best Factory/Industrial Excellence Award in 2008, BMW Plant Dingolfing also stands out through a supreme level of flexibility, efficient production processes and environmentally-friendly methods in production.