The New BMW ActiveHybrid 5

We have seen the transformation from the green but dreary image of a hybrid car into a green and sporty image.  Rather than cars like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight types, Lexus introduced us to the idea of a performance yet efficient hybrid car with its range of “h” cars.

BMW then took the development of intelligent hybrid drive systems to the next level, when it introduced the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 – a model in which a combustion engine and electric motor join forces to enhance efficiency… while crucially retaining the brand's hallmark driving pleasure.

How is this hybrid different?  The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 brings together a unique combination of the best of high-techs:  BMW TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder in-line engine, an electric drive system, and an 8-speed automatic gearbox.  To expand on that – the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is the first hybrid car to be based on a petrol turbo-charged engine (BMW TwinPower Turbo) and the first to manage the neat trick of using a proper automatic gearbox, rather than the often annoying rev-hogging CVT transmissions used in abovementioned Japanese hybrids – BMW fortunately sticks to its sportiness by refusing the CVT (which would be just unimaginable in a BMW).  In Sport mode it even gives the same sporty gentle-kick gearshift as you’d find in other 5 Series.

Although the BMW hybrids have been available in other markets for a while, it now arrives in South Africa for the first time.  The latest generation of BMW ActiveHybrid technology also adds precisely controlled and thus extremely effective intelligent energy management to the mix.  All of which gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 an exceptional balance of performance and fuel economy for the premium executive car class.  The aim of the ActiveHybrid is to get the perfect triangle balance between performance, consumption and weight.

Another disadvantage to buying this hybrid is the loss of some boot space – the standard 5 Series measures a big 520 litres, but in the hybrid the batteries take up your luggage space, dropping to 375 litres volume, and no option of fold-flat load-through rear seats, which both restrict practicality in a family executive sedan.

The 3-litre 6-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo engine from the 535i was a superb base to start on.  This engine already produces 225kW and 400Nm, while also being an efficient and smooth powerplant.  The BMW ActiveHybrid drive system (engine plus electric motor) boosts that to a combined engine+electric output of 250 kW and 450Nm. 

The electric motor and lithium-ion battery allow the ActiveHybrid 5 to be driven on electric power alone in eDrive mode at up to 60 km/h over a distance of 4km at a time, using zero fuel and emitting no exhaust gases, as the engine is not running – this takes the quite luxury accustomed to in a BMW 5 Series to a silent new level.  To get moving, there is no engine start required – simply switch the car “on” for the electric motor to glide the 5 along in stealth mode.  The petrol engine then seamlessly and quietly starts when 60km/h is exceeded, or when more power is needed.  In eBoost mode, the engine and full electric motor torque work together.  Performance?  It accelerates the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds (a match for the sporty 535i) yet cuts average fuel consumption to between 6.4 and 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres and has CO2 emissions of just 149-163 g/km (depending on tyre format specified).

Having mentioned the aim to balance weight earlier – it would be even better if advances can make electric motors and batteries lighter, as this car is quoted at a kerb weight of 1925kg, which is 150kg heavier than the 535i, deleting some of the performance and efficiency advantage it would have had were it not for the extra kg’s.

A console switch allows selection of Eco Pro mode – here the battery will recharge when the engine is on overrun (engine running, but the driver is off the accelerator pedal, such as when coasting downhill) and also during braking. 

A lengthy drive along beautifully landscaped roads proved that great performance and economy are not mutually exclusive.  The hybrid electronics in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 are linked up with the standard-fitted navigation system – this allows forward-looking analysis of the driving situation, enabling the drive components to be primed to deliver maximum efficiency (in other words the car “reads” the road ahead and primes it to the optimum settings).

So, the debate is whether a BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is necessarily a better car than the already brilliant petrol 535i or the understated and powerful super-efficient 535d diesel.  Sure, the hybrid has much more technology and advanced systems, plus extra equipment such as navigation included, but is about R60k more than a 535i… though around R50k less than the 535d, which is even quicker (0-100 in 5.5 seconds) and stronger during overtaking, yet uses way less fuel at a claimed 5.6 l/100km and 148 g/km… without having to try to drive economically as one does in the hybrid-awareness mindset, playing on your accelerator-foot’s conscience (especially with the hybrid mode graphics staring at you, constantly telling you how well or how badly you’re driving).  In the 535d you can simply put foot, and still get amazingly-slow fuel gauge movement.

The ActiveHybrid 5 lettering on the bootlid and C-pillars differentiate the exterior from the 5 Series models in the range.  BMW didn’t start adding a T to its model badges when it added Turbo, so it seems to announce overbearingly “Look, I am driving a hybrid” by typing out the long “ActiveHybrid 5” badging.  Why could BMW not stay with the simple brand-strong 3 numbers + 1 letter badging institution?  It could have been simply 535e or 535h.

If you feel you don’t need to go for the suggested Bluewater paint (hybrids only) or Streamline wheels, you could go for usual 5 Series colours or wheels, or opt for the Luxury line with extra chrome and other premium detailing (as pictured here) or add M Sport content.

BMW ActiveHybrid 3 (sitting above 335i) and ActiveHybrid 7 models are also available, using the same drivetrain technology.  In the 5 Series line-up, ActiveHybrid 5 fits somewhere in the model:  starting it off is the 4-cylinder 520i standard model at 592k, 520d at R625k and 528i (2.0 turbo 180kW) at R712k, then up to 6-cylinder 530d for R806k, 535i selling at R821k, ActiveHybrid 5’s R881k, or R930k for a 535d.  The V8s are 550i (plentiful 330kW/650Nm) at R1.06 million, then the full-on M5 bahn-storming 412kW/680Nm for R1.384m.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 mixes together the best of the BMW turbo engine, auto transmission, Efficient Dynamics and top-ranking performance:efficiency ratio to make the sportiest of hybrids.  It is the intelligent green sport choice… unless you consider its 535d brother.