BMW previews new luxury hybrid in Paris

Mercedes-Benz isn't the only company planning to launch a new hybrid version of its top of the range luxury car, as demonstrated by the presence of the 7 Series ActiveHybrid on BMW's stand in Paris this week.

What's all the fuss about?

Hybrid cars are huge news right now, especially in the US, where 350,000 hybrids found homes last year - a figure that is set to increase even further this year thanks to an increasing demand for more fuel efficient models. Although turbodiesels are still favoured in Europe, the premium Germany marques can't ignore the trend and mild hybrids are now well on the way to the showroom, with many seeing them as a stop-gap to full electric cars in the future. BMW has committed to launching a petrol-electric hybrid on the market in 2009, though it's not yet clear whether it will be based on the 7 Series or perhaps the X6, which has been shown as an ActiveHybrid model at several shows now.

What makes it so green?

In the case of the 7 Series ActiveHybrid, BMW has mated its new range-topping, twin-turbocharged petrol V8 engine with a small electric motor. The motor doesn't have the power to propel the car on its own, but it does enhance acceleration and assists the engine, even while on the open road, resulting in a claimed 15% improvement in fuel economy. By our reckoning that means 28.6mpg on the combined cycle, up from 24.9mpg in the standard 750i.

When can I buy one?

It's probable that the ActiveHybrid technology will be launched in the 7 Series towards the end of 2009, though we're not sure that it will be as popular in Europe as it undoubtedly will be in the USA and China.

Shane O' Donoghue