BMW presented a pair of hybrids yesterday—both packed with V8 engines—at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The old news is the BMW X6 full hybrid crossover, which debuted last year in Frankfurt. The new item is the BMW 7-series mild hybrid concept, which promises a 15 percent reduction in fuel consumption. (Yawn.)
Volkswagen grabbed headlines when it unveiled the diesel-electric VW Golf Hybrid—a vehicle that promises 70 miles to the gallon—at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. But based on candid talk from German engineers, Volkswagen, BMW and Porsche are not serious about hybrids. Currently, there is not a single German-made hybrid available to American car buyers.
BMW will introduce a mild hybrid diesel concept vehicle—based on the BMW X5—at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in March. The seven-passenger vehicle, which will utilize a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, promises 36 miles to the gallon and 200 horsepower. "This is no pie-in-the-sky project," said Klaus Draeger, head of development at BMW. "All of the features are production-feasible."
