Sporting its signature light blue paint scheme, as well as prominent “Hybrid Vehicle” stickers, BMW’s upcoming X6 ActiveHybrid prototype made a road trip last weekend to Austin, Texas, where we spotted it hanging out just a block from the state capitol. Appearing production-ready, the X6 ActiveHybrid is only visually set apart by a hood bulge and a small blue efficiency gauge where the fuel economy gauge would be on a standard gas model.
We first saw BMW’s X6 ActiveHybrid Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and BMW is wasting no time with real-time development, and you’re even looking at the production sheet-metal with the lightly bulged hood. We’re even hearing rumors that the X6 ActiveHybrid will be available in just one color — the light blue seen here.
While it remains unclear what engine will be coupled with the hybrid powertrain, the X6 ActiveHybrid will use a version of the two-mode hybrid system that was developed with General Motors and Daimler.
Like GM’s two-mode hybrid vehicles, the X6 ActiveHybrid will be able to be powered by the electric motor on its own or in tandem with SAC’s internal combustion engine, and will also feature regenerative braking. The system is said to boost fuel-economy in the X6 by 20 percent overall.
While BMW has yet to announce when the hybrid version of the X6 will hit the market, sources say it could be as soon as late 2009 as a 2010 model. We expect its first show arrival to be at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
06/30, 9:43 AM
posted by:
AutoCritical
I think this is slowly growing on me… Is that a bad thing? Should be good when official figures of fuel consumption comes out.
06/30, 10:05 AM
posted by:
Green Field
We’re seeing most X6’s driven by seniors, regardless of engine, very strange. The hybrid version has to connect somehow with the eco-crowd better than the regular versions. I like these, but the practicality of the X5 and it’s good looks make it my choice.
06/30, 10:16 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Junk. Hope you like your mechanic.
GM. An American Revolution
06/30, 10:30 AM
posted by:
tob
Have I mentioned the x6 is stupid? I love BMW but the X6 is a waste of engineering.
06/30, 10:31 AM
posted by:
Borat
Majority luxury vehicles are driven by seniors: they’ve accumulated wealth. Perhaps that explains the look of X6: seniors don’t see that well. The transmission intrigues me; I smell diesel, twin charged 335 or V8 motor here. That tranny will need torque to spin 2 electric motors when electric juice is gone. In US application transmission is couple only with V8’s so far. Of course 335d motor would produce equal or better mileage and reduce cost due to simplicity. Even if you have to carry piss in a spare tank.
06/30, 10:57 AM
posted by:
BUYFORD09
Sweet!
GM: An UN-American Revolution
06/30, 11:16 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I thought it already was a hybrid since it burns gas and retinas.
06/30, 11:50 AM
posted by:
cocojoe53
This car in person is plain ugly
06/30, 1:01 PM
posted by:
elviososa
This car is pointless at the first place…adding hybrid make it even more pointless.
06/30, 1:38 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
The only time you’ll ever see on will be when it’s on the back of a flatbed headed to the service bay or junkyard. Owners must really love the embarrassment of owning a German pile of sh1t when they could have bought a much more superior Cadillac or Buick!
GM. An American Revolution
06/30, 1:50 PM
posted by:
scratchy
@ elviososa , the whole point of any car is to sell and make money, if the X6 brings money to BMW then it is not pointless.
07/01, 9:47 AM
posted by:
Flippo789
Kinda interesting that this is just now being reported. It has been driving around the upstate SC area for months now