BMW clearly sees potential in hybrids or is keen to reduce its average CO2 emissions level because the German manufacturer plans to create a hybrid version of every new car.
Speaking to US motoring website AutoBlog, BMW North America CEO Ludwig Willisch said: “With the introduction of every new model there will be a plug-in hybrid version of that, too.”
The first fruit to come from the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle program will be the X5 xDrive40e (aka the xDrive PHEV) and its 313hp powertrain, which is capable of 0 to 62mph in 6.8 seconds, 450Nm of torque, a supermini-bettering 77g/km of CO2 emissions and combined fuel economy of 85.6mpg.
When asked about the existence of the i5 and i7, two rumoured models that would sit between the i3 city car and the i8 supercar, Willisch interrupted: “Which we don’t have.” He added: “Not any time soon.”
It is really no surprise for BMW to push harder into greener technologies. The i8 is a one-of-a-kind supercar that is both fast and frugal, while the BMW i3 proves there is someone besides Tesla who gets the need for electric cars to be more desirable than a Toyota Prius.
Speaking of which, Willisch was also asked about whether BMW sees Tesla as a competitor. “I wouldn’t say I don’t see any competition. But I still see that a BMW 5 Series and a Tesla are totally different animals.”
Is a hybrid BMW future the way to go? Let us know.
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