BMW 5-Series Hybrid

     

                   BMW 5-Series Hybrid.

The 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid have 5 seats and is rear-wheel drive.To create the ActiveHybrid 5, BMW took the 300 horsepower, 300 lb-ft of torque 3.0-liter TwinPower turbocharged inline-six cylinder from the 535, along with its eight-speed automatic transmission and then added a 55 horsepower, 155 lb-ft of torque electric drive system. The result is a combined peak of 335 horsepower and the ability to drive up to 37 miles per hour on electric power alone.

The electric power for the motor is provided from a lithium-ion battery with 96 cells and a usable capacity of 675 watt hours. BMW says the ActiveHybrid used both a 14.6-volt power supply and a 317-volt supply, with the two systems linked together through a voltage transformer.

Acceleration comes in at 5.7 seconds to sprint from a dead stop to 60 mph, which is every-so-slightly quicker than the 535i. The all-important fuel economy numbers: 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, which is barely better than the significantly less-expensive 535i's 20/30 mpg figures.ActiveHybrid 5 has a turbocharged six-cylinder engine and electric motor, which auto reviewers say provides plenty of power. Still, some critics say that the transitions between gas and electric power aren’t as smooth as they would like. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, which receives praise for its refined operation. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 23/30 mpg city/highway, which isn’t very good for a hybrid luxury car. In fact, the ActiveHybrid 5 uses more fuel than its less powerful, gas-only sibling, the BMW 528i. Although the ActiveHybrid 5 impresses reviewers with its composed handling, opinion varies on its steering and brake systems. While some auto writers note communicative steering and good brake pedal feel, others complain about numb steering and grabby brakes.