1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Paris Auto Show - BMW, Mercedes hybrids coming next year.

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Rybold, Sep 25, 2008.

  1. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2008
    2,760
    322
    3
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    2008 Paris Auto Show Preview: BMW Joins the Hybrid Ranks - Edmunds.com - Sep 22 9:30 AM.
    "new hybrid ... BMW hints the new model won't go on sale until October 2009, some four months after Mercedes-Benz plans to place its new S400 BlueHybrid into showrooms around Europe."
    "The two cars were developed in a joint venture between BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Yet despite sharing common technology such as advanced lithium ion battery..."
    "While it is yet to be officially confirmed, BMW is planning to place the new hybrid system in the upcoming entry-level Rolls-Royce, which shares much of its mechanical architecture with the new 7 Series.
    What this means to you: Europe has finally discovered the hybrid...but don't expect either car in North America for at least another 12 months, at the very earliest. — Andreas Stahl, Correspondent"
    BMW Joins the Hybrid Ranks - 2008 Paris Auto Show

    "So what exactly is 'green' about this power-barge? Well, the 7-Series hybrid does have start-stop technology to cut off the idling engine in traffic, as well as use of BMW's regenerative braking system to store up power in the lithium-ion battery." BMW 7-Series Hybrid: BMW 7-Series Hybrid Concept Revealed Awash In A Sea Of Green Marketing

    "Pursuing this strategy, two models with BMW ActiveHybrid technology will be reaching production level in 2009 alone."
    Even More Superior, Dynamic and Efficient - Hybrid Technology BMW Style: The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid.

    Photos and additional stats: BMW builds luxury hybrid sedan | Car Tech: An automotive blog from CNET - CNET Reviews

    My comment on this ... Wrong market! Make the 1-Series and 3-Series into a hybrid! Mercedes, make the C-Class into a hybrid! If BMW and Mercedes don't get serious about making 3-Series and C-Class hybrids soon, before they know it, Toyota, Honda, and others will have so many hybrids on the road, gas prices will be up, and BMW and Mercedes will seem "behind the times." If you argue that they should be testing these systems in the most expensive cars because those people will pay for the R&D, I counter that argument with ... Toyota and Honda had hybrids ten years ago.
     
    #1 Rybold, Sep 25, 2008
  2. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2007
    3,355
    300
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Expensive toys for rich kids who want to feel less guilty about their consumption habits. There's ALWAYS a market for those.
     
    #2 zenMachine, Sep 25, 2008
  3. pdhenry

    pdhenry It's HEEERE!

    Joined:
    May 26, 2008
    406
    15
    0
    Location:
    PA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Case in point:

    [​IMG]
     
    #3 pdhenry, Sep 25, 2008
  4. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2005
    3,156
    440
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Europe
    its mild hybrid with 20hp electric motor... in 2009.
     
    #4 spwolf, Sep 25, 2008
  5. rfruth

    rfruth Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2008
    394
    8
    24
    Location:
    Houston, Tx
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    someone get me 7 series hybrid and let me test it out :D
     
    #5 rfruth, Sep 25, 2008
  6. joe1347

    joe1347 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2007
    669
    44
    0
    Location:
    AZ
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Maybe, but is it possible that BMW and MB are starting to get a little spooked that Governments will start imposing fuel efficiency standards on even their bigger cars? The Europeans appear to be much more serious than the USA with regards to fuel efficiency as well as green house gas emission reduction and the current BMW 5 or 7-series certainly isn't green.
     
    #6 joe1347, Sep 28, 2008
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,926
    16,145
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Rybold, while your points are valid, when Toyota and Honda launched their hybrids 10 years ago, they were relatively expensive. The Insight sold for Cdn$26,000 and the Prius for $29,990. The price of a Corolla then ranged from $15k (CE) to $21k (LE) and a Camry from $22k (CE) to $31k (XLE V6). BMW and MB need to recoup the R&D and yes the 7 and S will get them the money back faster than if they were to put it on the lower models.

    For example, the smart key. It was first launched on the S-Class (Keyless Go!) even though the Prius had it. Also, how long did it take for bluetooth to filter down to teh 3 and C-Class? I'd say just recently (06 for the 3 and 08 for the C-Class)
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Sep 28, 2008
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)