Plug-in hybrid can travel 31 miles on battery power alone


Just over a year ago, BMW unveiled its Vision Efficient Dynamics sports car concept. The concept featured outlandish styling, gull-wing doors, and a 2+2 passenger configuration. As one of our readers put it, "Looks nice… but of course they, they'll never build it."

Well, BMW announced today that they will indeed bring a production version of the Vision Efficient Dynamics concept to the market. BMW states that the concept received an overwhelmingly positive reception while it was on display and that a case was made to actually produce the vehicle.

The concept version of the vehicle is powered by a three-cylinder turbodiesel engine which combines with a hybrid synchronous electric motor to deliver 328 hp. BMW says that the vehicle is capable of accelerating to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds and can achieve 75.1 mpg on the European cycle.

Thanks to its lithium-polymer battery pack, the car can travel just over 30 miles on battery power alone, and has a total driving range of 434 miles.

"By developing a sports car based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study for serial production, the Munich-based premium automobile manufacturer underscores its position as a global leader in the production of sporty vehicles with exemplary efficiency," stated BMW in a press release.

All current models are fitted as standard with extensive measures for the reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The innovations used for this purpose are based on the development strategy BMW EfficientDynamics, which also includes BMW ActiveHybrid technology as well as purely electrical drive systems."

BMW doesn't have an exact launch date for the vehicle, but when it does arrive, Autoblog states that the vehicle will have a price tag of around $200,000.