2010 BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe ActiveHybrid
2010 BMW X6 Hybrid Review
Although BMW initially shunned hybrids in favor of clean diesels and other alternative powertrains, the German automaker is joining the electrically assisted fray next year with not one but two gasoline-electric vehicles: the 2010 BMW Active Hybrid 7—our first drive of which you can read here—and the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6.
Both models share ActiveHybrid badging and fall in the contradictory performance-hybrid segment, but their similarities end there. The 7 is a mild hybrid that uses an electric motor in its eight-speed automatic gearbox and a compact lithium-ion battery mounted in the trunk to assist acceleration and run the accessories; the X6 is a far more complex full hybrid. Based around the two-mode CVT BMW co-developed with General Motors and the old DaimlerChrysler, the X6 hybrid is similar in concept to hybrid versions of GM’s full-size SUVs and pickups, as well as the short-lived Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen hybrids and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid. Despite the added 400-ish pounds of hybrid gear, BMW says the ActiveHybrid is only 0.1 second slower to 60 mph—5.4 seconds—than the nonhybrid V-8 X6.
This model has been claimed to be one of the most powerful hybrid models ever produced that is also combined with an awesome style and looks.
BMW has worked really well in improving the performance of the car especially in terms of its mileage of this car.
The hybrid side of this model is powered by nickel met hydride battery and a CVT transmission.
Just like the other models it comes with the driver’s and passenger’s front airbags but here it is mixed up with advance technologies like: dual-threshold, dual-stage deployment; and front-passenger seat sensors designed to prevent unnecessary airbag deployment.
Just for the safety of driver it also features the front and rear compartment head protection system (HPS) with the front side-impact airbags.
The true luxury of this model comes out when you look at the interiors of this car. The front seat console of the car comes with armrest, storage compartment and auxiliary input, while it also features the split-folding rear seats.
BMW's pitch on how great the X6 ActiveHybrid goes like this: it's the world's most powerful hybrid vehicle, fuel consumption is reduced about 20 percent compared to a similar vehicle without a hybrid drivetrain, and no matter what speed you're going, the incredibly complicated powertrain is performing at the most efficient level possible. Let's start by congratulating BMW for bringing its first batch of hybrids to market (the 7 Series ActiveHybrid is launching alongside the X6). The X6 ActiveHybrid weighs 5,688 pounds for crying out loud -- 400 pounds more than the non-hybrid. BMW claims its hybrid SUV can achieve fuel efficiency of up to 9.9 l/100 km (about 24 mpg U.S.) on the European drive cycle, but during our a few hours in the 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid Sports Activity Coupe, we averaged just 14.8 liters (16 mpg U.S.).
On the way to 16 mpg, the X6 ActiveHybrid performs like one expects a BMW to. Power, be it electric or gasoline-fueled, was readily available whenever we touched the accelerator pedal. The liquid-cooled 2.4 kWh NiMH battery pack sits between and above the rear wheels, offering the powertrain 1.4 kWh of its total power. The part-electric set-up gives the X6 four operating modes: eDrive, eBoost, Charge and Drive. Shifts are wonderfully smooth and the switch from electric to hybrid to pure gasoline drive just happens. Most of the time (up to 0.3 Gs), only the electric motors are used to brake the "X6 ActiveHybrid". Because the regenerative brake system in the X6 uses both electric motors, it is able to capture about 25 times more energy than the company's other regen systems. This isn't as big a deal as it sounds, since BMW's Brake Energy Regeneration is fairly wimpy. Today, about 20 percent of BMW sales are X models. We need more time with this big hybrid crossover to be sure, but based on our short drive, the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid will probably not find itself on our shopping list.
