That’s about $8,000 more than the 535i, but the extra coin will go towards a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine that packs 335 horsepower when combined with a 55-horsepower electric motor. That’s enough power to launch the ActiveHybrid 5 from zero to 60 in a scant 5.7 seconds and the lithium-ion battery pack carries sufficient juice for the ActiveHybrid 5 to travel 2.5 miles on electricity alone.
The ActiveHybrid 5 arrives in dealerships this spring. Hit the jump to read BMW’s uncharacteristically brief press release.
Based on the BMW 535i Sedan, the ActiveHybrid 5 brings together BMW’s 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine, an electric drive system and an 8-speed automatic transmission for the first time for a combined output of 335hp. The latest generation of BMW ActiveHybrid technology also adds precisely controlled energy management to the mix. All of which gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 an exceptional balance of performance and fuel economy for a benchmark performance/luxury sedan.
The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 can operate in all-electric mode up to a speed of 37 mph (60 km/h), for zero emissions in town. The lithium-ion high-voltage battery can store sufficient energy to give an all-electric driving range of up to approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) at an average speed of 22 mph (35 km/h). Conversely, the powertrain system can combine the engine and electric motor torque to accelerate the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.
The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is scheduled to arrive in US BMW Centers in late Spring 2012.
