Carparazzi's photographer was almost taken by surprise as this BMW X6 ActiveHybrid silently entered his focussing space.
The petrol-electric version of the forthcoming BMW cross between coupe and SUV was snapped testing in the USA recently, only revealing its hybrid identity with its hushed progress and a bonnet bulge that doesn't appear on conventionally powered equivalents.
The ActiveHybrid made an official appearance at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show alongside the then "Concept" X6 with claims by the German company that it would be capable of reducing fuel consumption by as much as 20 per cent.
BMW is talking about cutting CO2 emissions of 40 per cent of its cars by the end of this year to less than 140 grams per kilometre, using its EfficientDynamics technology as the launching pad.
Hybrids aren't new to BMW, with a hybrid 518i shown in 1995 and the concept appearing again in the EfficientDynamics X5 shown in 2003 and a similarly-driven X3 in 2005.
The system used in the X6 hybrid is claimed by BMW to be more dynamic and more efficient than current systems based on CVT drivetrains. It uses two electric motors driving through what BMW describes as an "active" two-mode auto transmission with three planetary gearsets that offers a greater speed range than other systems.
What is interesting with BMW's delving into hybrid powertrains is its parallel development of hydrogen as a fuel source, already being demonstrated in a fleet of hydrogen powered 7 Series in use by carefully chosen high-flyers around the globe.
The thought to be taken away from this is that BMW is looking at hybrid technology as a short-term way of reducing fuel consumption and lowering CO2 emissions --especially in its bigger, more fuel-guzzling models -- with hydrogen the long-term answer.
No doubt the ActiveHybrid technology in the X6 will be destined to appear in other BMWs, with the focus on bigger, heavier SUV models like the X5 and X3 -- and, possibly, even on future 7 Series sedans.
-- with Carparazzi
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