photo courtesy of CarandDriver.comAt last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show (2007), BMW debuted a concept vehicle known as the X6 (photos).  Half crossover - half sports car, the X6 ActiveHybrid (BMW dubs it the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe) gave us our first look at how BMW might use the hybrid knowledge they gained via their collaboration with DiamlerChrysler and General Motors (details here).  Fast forward to the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, and BMW’s EfficientDynamics initiative appears to be in full swing with the introduction of the concept X5 Hybrid-Diesel SUV.

Only the key execs at Bavarian Motor Works know if the concept X5 hybrid is planned for production, and if it is - whether or not there’s any chance of it ever reaching the United States.  Most of the “industry experts” who have covered BMW’s Vision Efficient Dynamics plan believe this X5 will be built as a mild hybrid, and will be for sale in 2010 or 2011.


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BMW states that its conceptual hybrid X5 gets better than 36 miles per gallon.  That kind of fuel efficiency is based on a 2.0 liter, turbo charged 4 cylinder, common-rail diesel engine in conjunction with a powerful lithium-ion battery pack used to power an electric motor (aka - the ActiveHybrid).

Together, this system is mated to a new 8 speed automatic transmission, managing 224 hp and propeling the green X5 from 0-60 mph in just under 9 seconds. Unlike some of the new “full” hybrid suvs from GM, the mild-hybrid X5 would not be able to run on electric power alone.  At the same time, at 35+ mpg, does anyone care?  Watch for updates here as they’re released.

Additional resources covering the BMW X5 hybrid:

Video coverage from Edmunds
Car Connection
Sky Motoring
CNET Video