2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 – Photos and Info

The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5-Series is a 535i sedan featuring a hybrid drivetrain, a better fuel economy and less CO2 emissions per mile. This hybrid gets about the same performance as the 535i, but is 330 pounds heavier, due to the electric motor.

The fuel economy now stands at 31 mpg (combined), which is respectable for a 4,078 lbs sedan. The CO2 emissions are only 240 grams per mile.

The 3.0-liter in-line 6 cylinder turbocharged diesel engine provides up to 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque between 1,200 and 5,000 rpm. The electric engine delivers 54 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. Because the electric engine also handles other functions, the total power is rated at 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 goes from 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds (as does the 535i). It reaches a top speed of 155 mph. The power is connected to the rear-wheel drive via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The electric engine is able to get the car up to 37 mph, and the Diesel kicks in when it’s needed (when the battery runs out, or the driver accelerates beyond 37 mph). Also, the drivetrain works together with the sat-nav to recharge the battery when not needed (the navigation system tells whether or not the car can go down a hill without any power usage and without losing speed). This system is called the Intelligent Energy Management, and there are very few places where it can be used (except for Germany, where all of the roads are covered).

This car gets 17 inch wheels as standard, which improve the car’s “green” performance. There is an option for 18-inchers, but they increase pollution.

The inside gets leather seats and a 9.2-inch iDrive screen that displays information about the state of the car (hybrid, all-electric or all-gasoline).

The pricing starts at $61,845, almost 10 grand more than the 535i.