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Why the 485hp BMW X6 Hybrid might be the best thing to happen to hybrids

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Rybold, Nov 11, 2009.

  1. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    Have you been to an auto show lately? Have you noticed how children's eyes are mesmerized by a brand new special edition luxury or supercar ?
    Although the Prius is clearly the best hybrid technology available, the BMW X6 485hp Hybrid is the current shining-star at the auto shows that is inspiring children and adults alike around the world to say "Wow! That's awesome! I want one of those hybrids!" This vehicle is making hybrids cool and eliminating any possible connotation of "wimpy" from "hybrid." With this vehicle inspiring the general public towards hybrids, many more people will be thinking "I want a hybrid" when they go shopping for a new car. And since 95+% of society isn't actually going to buy a $90K BMW, this should help sales of the Prius and other mass-market hybrids (HCH, Altima, Fusion, etc).

    "the ActiveHybrid X6's liquid-cooled, 2.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack can also propel the car in electric-only mode up to 37 miles per hour and, under specific circumstances, for up to 1.6 miles."

    Read on...

    First Drive: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 - Green Car Reports

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 Rybold, Nov 11, 2009
  2. Indyking

    Indyking Happy Hyundai owner...

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    Wow!
     
    #2 Indyking, Nov 11, 2009
  3. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    And it looks like a Prius in silhouette!
     
    #3 patsparks, Nov 11, 2009
  4. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Terrible mileage, 21 MPG on the highway! My 3 series would consistently deliver over 30 on the highway, of course it was 2 wheel drive and didn't have 485 unneeded HP, and a CVT that pretends to shift through 7 gears? I really don't think they will sell to many of these.

    As a former owner I kind of keep an eye on BMW and it seems they are a car company without direction. They have abandon their previous "loyal enthusiast" customer base in favor of soccer moms and over the hill yuppies. They still have very good engineering but their management and marketing departments are in charge and leading them in strange directions. They also have a very poor dealer network.
     
    #4 tumbleweed, Nov 11, 2009
  5. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    X6es are HUGE. Why can't they make a E92 M3 Hybrid?
     
    #5 a_gray_prius, Nov 11, 2009
  6. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

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    I guess if you spend this much money for the BMW, you may not get any rattles....But why would anyone spend this much to get 20 or so MPGS?
    No Apples to Apples comparison.....
    Or Diamonds to Diamonds :)
     
    #6 Bobsprius, Nov 11, 2009
  7. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    That would be a far better choice I think. They could, if they designed it correctly, even get better mileage than some of the Lexus hybrids they would be competing with.
     
    #7 tumbleweed, Nov 11, 2009
  8. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    are you guys sure it gets only 21 on the highway? not 21 mpg in the city/30 on the highway? and even if it gets 21 city a chevy hybrid truck gets that so for a car that kinda sucks,lol.
     
    #8 adamace1, Nov 11, 2009
  9. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Somehow '500hp' and 'hybrid' don't really go together. Unless it's in a locomotive.
     
    #9 hyo silver, Nov 11, 2009
  10. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Actually the test report (link in post 1) lists the EPA as 17 city/19 highway. The testers claimed they were able to get "close to 21" highway but neglected to mention at what speed.
     
    #10 tumbleweed, Nov 11, 2009
  11. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    As I think was obvious in the original post, the point here is not that this vehicle is a feather-light fuel-sipper like the Prius. The point of this vehicle is that it boosts the acceptance of hybrids amongst the general public. A good 50% of the population that wouldn't buy a hybrid until it was their only choice, will be coveting this ... ahem... "hybrid."

    A hybrid M3, at half the weight of an SUV, would be one sweet car!

    People don't buy a $90K car for the same reasons that people buy a Prius. If someone wanted a hybrid SUV with leather, they could buy a Toyota or a Lexus for a fraction of the price. The people who buy this car will be buying it for the same reason that children want a certain toy for Christmas. "Dude! It's got 485 horsepower, and it's an SUV, and it's a BMW, and dude, it's also a hybrid!!!" "Whoa, no way!!!" "Way!"
     
    #11 Rybold, Nov 11, 2009
  12. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Every manufacturer 'has' to learn how to make hybrids, certainly the 2010 Prius is a better car than the 2001. (Sorry, Gen I fans) Learning on a low volume car seems to make sense to me, even Toyota did not sell as many Gen I Prius. BMW may learn valuable lessons with this car, even if sales are not high.
     
    #12 JimboPalmer, Nov 11, 2009
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