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BMW 535i Hybrid Test Vehicle spotted

By Brett Davis |

There’s been a number of reports about a BMW 535i getting around Munich wearing a sticker on the back stating ‘Hybrid Test Vehicle’. We’re not sure if it is true or if BMW is simply trying to create a stir, either way, BMW is expected to release a BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid of some sort next year.

If the’535i’ badge remains on the production version, this means the car will come with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six – for outright power – and an electric motor – expected to kick in around town. The combination will allow the luxury 5 Series to be both fast and economical, much like the Lexus GS-series hybrid vehicles.

According to reports, the BMW 535i Hybrid will come with a 40kW electric motor bringing the combined output to a meaty 265kW. Torque will also be improved significantly thanks to the electronic assistance – the standard 535i already offers 400Nm. All this is said to be channeled through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

BMW has apparently said the ActiveHybrid system offers a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy, whether or not that regards the twin-turbo speculation is another matter.

A BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid vehicle of some sort has been announced to go on sale some time in 2011. We’ll keep you posted.


 

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  • Roadtard

    Ugly.

    • wot he sed

      BUTT UGLY!

  • F1MotoGP

    European car companies catching up with Japanese car companies on hybrid technology. Hybrid market slowly getting bigger and they realized there is money to make. I hope it is a good one.

  • http://www.oldcarsinc.com Maxy@old cars

    The alleged BMW 5 Series Hybrid prototypes were spotted in Munich, Germany and they pretty much looked the same as the regular 535i. The only difference is the sticker we mentioned.In other words, this could be a hoax. However, a BMW 5 Series Hybrid is not completely out of the question. If this is the real deal, it means the BMW 535i Hybrid will have a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder twin-turbo engine coupled with an electric motor.

  • http://www.oldcarsforsales.com Old cars

    BMW will still sell boatloads of these things so they feel little pressure to change. But 60K is a lot of money and Lexus and Mercedes make nice cars too.