2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 officially announced: The most powerful hybrid in the world!

Posted by Harvinder

August 13, 2009

Along with the official release of the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7, Munich-based auto maker BMW has also revealed the ActiveHybrid X6, which will be available to US customers by the fourth-quarter of this year. Just like the ActiveHybrid 7, the X6 version is also powered by a 4.4 liter twin-turbo motivator, but instead of being paired with one electric motor, the combustion engine in the ActiveHybrid X6 is mated with two motors (91HP and 86HP versions). Collectively, the ActiveHybrid X6 can deliver 480HP (25HP more than the ActiveHybrid 7) and 779Nm of torque, making it the most powerful hybrid vehicle in the world. The NiMH high-performance battery pack is positioned beneath the floor of the luggage compartment, meaning this Eco-friendly version has the same trunk space as the standard model.

This brings the X6 hybrid up to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, and will continue to an electronically limited top speed of 209 km/h. Compared to the 7 Series variant, the ActiveHybrid X6 can run solely on electric power, up to 60 km/h (maximum range is 1.6 miles). The powerplant is mated to an electric continuously variable transmission (ECVT) that has seven effective gears. The transmission has two modes, one for top-and-go driving and low speeds, and the second is for driving at higher speeds.

At low speeds, only one electric motor is used, and the second motor will start the combustion engine when more power is needed. The second motor will continue to serve as a generator. Compared to the BMW X6 xDrive50i, which also uses the 4.4 liter twin-turbo engine, the ActiveHybrid X6 is 20% more efficient in terms of fuel consumption (EU test cycle), and it releases 231 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer.

Just the ActiveHybrid 7, the X6 version has no starter, alternator, or belt drive for the air-conditioning compressor and hydraulic pump. As expected it also comes with Brake Energy Regeneration (enhanced version), Auto Start Stop, and 20-inch light-alloy Aero wheels featuring an aerodynamically optimized design. Continue reading to view an image gallery.