BMW has revealed a new high performance plug-in hybrid system, dubbed Power eDrive, with an output of 670 horsepower.
Revealed in a 5-Series GT, the Power eDrive plug-in hybrid system consists of a company’s new 170kW (228 hp) turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine and two electric motors borrowed from the i3 and beefed up a bit. A 150kW (201 hp) version of the i3‘s synchronous unit mounted up front in the space usually taken up by the torque converter in the car’s eight-speed automatic gearbox. The second, even more powerful 200kW (268 hp) unit sits in the rear axle assembly. Together they make an astonishing 670 horsepower and 750lb ft of torque.
“The electric motors provide approximately two-thirds of the combined output, with the combustion engine accounting for the remaining third,” said Franz Drescher-Kaden, BMW concept engineer for the new petrol-electric hybrid set-up.
A 20kWh lithium ion battery mounted centrally ensures an all-electric range of 100 km (62 miles) for this prototype, which will weigh substantially more than the heaviest 5-Series GT (2,070kg). The fuel tank has been reduced in size from 70 liters to 30 liters. The prototype comes with a total range of around 600 km (370 miles).
The company plans to offer this new BMW Power eDrive in a range of vehicles which may include the 7 series, the X5, the X6 and possibly the X7. The Power eDrive unit is even rumored to appear on the forthcoming Rolls-Royce SUV.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]
