BMW will launch a production version of the Vision Efficient Dynamics concept with a diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain.
A four-seat sports car that is also environmentally friendly? That seeming contradiction in terms was the idea behind BMW’s Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept, which quickly became one of the hits at the Frankfurt Motor Show, little more than a year ago.
Making a serious effort to find ways to prove such a concept is viable, the Bavarian maker has confirmed it will put the VED into production, though a precise launch date hasn’t been released.
The low-slung 2+2 – which measures barely 4 feet tall – will follow the concept’s lead and use a plug-in hybrid driveline. To add a bit of ease for rear seat passengers, the Vision will use gullwing doors, simplifying access to both rows.
Relatively lightweight, considering its batteries and dual drive system, and with an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.22, the VED should be able to achieve significant efficiencies, whether powered by its lithium-ion power pack or the back-up gasoline engine.
Despite its compact size, BMW claims the gullwing design will make for easy rear seat access.
Intriguingly, the Vision will use a so-called through-the-road all-wheel-drive design, with both a 3-cylinder diesel and a synchronous electric motor driving the front wheels. The rear axle will be driven by what BMW describes as a “full-hybrid engine.” Software, it appears, will sync the various driveline elements to provide the equivalent of AWD, when necessary.
The combined driveline will produce an estimated 328 horsepower. BMW is claiming that will yield 0 – 100 kmh times (0 – 62.5 mph) of just 4.8 seconds. But it is also touting a fuel efficiency rating of 3.76 liters per 100 kilometers, which works out to nearly 62.5 miles to the U.S. gallon.
The plug-in hybrid will get about 31 miles per charge - and 62.5 mpg on diesel.
Of course, that’s if a motorist winds up going far enough to use all the battery. The Germans are estimating an average 31 miles per charge. Add 24 liters – a bit more than 6 gallons – of diesel and you can roam for nearly 450 miles without a refill or recharge,
And when it is time to top off the batteries, BMW claims that the lithium-polymer pack can be completely recharged from a wall socket in just 2.5 hours. That’s on European 220-volt household power, however, so it would take about twice that long without a 220 charger in the U.S.
The original BMW Vision Concept Efficient Dynamics from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
It remains to be seen what name will be used for the production model which, sources indicate, should hit production around 2013. Possibilities include i1 and i100.
The Vision Efficient Dynamics production car won’t be cheap. Expect something in the range of $200,000, though BMW is working up a range of less expensive battery-based models, as well, never mind the Mini-E battery-electric vehicle it is currently fleet testing around the world.