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BMW ActiveHybrid 7

Expert Rating: 4 out of 5

What is it?

We're wondering that ourselves. The ActiveHybrid 7 is known as a 'mild' hybrid, with its electric motor assisting in combination with the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine rather than enabling full electric drive capability. It caused much head scratching here, as being a hybrid it could perhaps be placed among our green tests, though impressive as some of the figures that are associated with it are, they still don't match those of the diesel-powered 7 Series models. So it's a niche 'green' model, for markets intolerant of diesel luxury cars - countries like the USA.

Is it any good?

BMW's people talked at great length about how the ActiveHybrid retains all of BMW's characteristics of driving pleasure and dynamic ability. That's difficult to argue against that either, as the boost of electric power from the motor contained in the 7's eight-speed automatic transmission, combined with the grunt of the 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine, adds up to a very rapid machine. Never mind the environment, this hybrid rockets to 62mph in just 4.9 seconds. Given its bulk that's hugely impressive, even if it does feel a bit wobbly in the corners. The combined economy figure stands at 30mpg while CO2 emissions are 219g/km, but it's difficult to imagine any owner getting anything like that 30mpg average unless they have the restraint of a monk.

The operation of the hybrid element of the drivetrain is unnoticeable, the only indication that there's some electrical flow going on underneath you being via the instruments and central display screen. The eight-speed automatic shifts seamlessly, the enclosed electric motor within it enabling the ActiveHybrid 7 to shut down its V8 engine when sitting idle at traffic lights. With plenty of spark to kick the big 4.4-litre V8 back into life when you lift off the brake pedal you'll barely notice all the clever fuel-saving trickery going on.

That electric motor doesn't add much in the way of power, but it delivers a shocking boost of torque. Combined, the conventional V8 and electric motor push out a tyre-testing 516lb.ft of twisting force from as low as 2,000rpm, ensuring the ActiveHybrid 7's performance is never anything less than eye-opening. However, the hybrid powertrain does add some weight, the overall increase being in the region of 100kg, while the luggage compartment loses around 40 litres of storage space thanks to the fitment of the lithium ion batteries, but you could still get most of the stock from American Golf in without any trouble.

Should I call the bank manager?

You could, but you'd have to be really committed to buying the ActiveHybrid 7 to do so, as it's not officially offered for sale in the UK or Ireland. It's being aimed at markets where diesel isn't popular so BMW isn't making a right-hand drive version. Pricing hasn't been confirmed, but it will cost around £12,000 more than a standard 750i, though BMW claims that about two thirds of that is made up of the increased specification levels that come with the ActiveHybrid model.

Summary

More powerful, faster and a bit greener, this ActiveHybrid 7 Series is quite a machine. The emphasis here seems to be on putting a band-aid on the problem of the environment, the big saloon seemingly more about increased performance than it is about saving the planet. That's not a criticism though, as it all helps. In the UK those wanting a parsimonious 7 will opt for the really rather brilliant 730d, but for those markets where diesel isn't accepted this clever hybrid is a very tempting proposition indeed.

Kyle Fortune