Spy photographers caught a 2009 BMW 7-Series prototype entering GM’s Proving Grounds today. The private facility is usually reserved for GM testing, so this was an especially rare occurrence. The only viable explanation? The Global Hybrid Cooperation alliance between GM, BMW, and Mercedes.
The GHC program is no secret, and these photos might be evidence that BMW is about to put all that research into action. The new two-mode Hybrid system was first unveiled on GM’s GMT900 sport-utility vehicles, but will soon be adapted for use on the Saturn Vue, as well as for use on passenger cars — like this new 7-series, for example.
BMW’s development guru, Burkhard Goschel, explained the reason for the cooperative thusly: “The creation of a shared technology platform for hybrid drives will allow us to more quickly integrate the best technologies on the market.” Industry sources suggest that the GHC is the most cost-effective, time-efficient method to play catch-up with the likes of Lexus, Toyota, and Honda, that have been focusing on Hybrids much longer.
Daimler and BMW representatives were reportedly on hand for the late-April preview of the two-mode Hybrid system on the GMT900 SUVs, and fielded some questions on their participation in this joint Hybrid program.
But when it came time to talk specifics about what BMW vehicles would get the two-mode Hybrid system, conversation ceased, and no details would be provided. This 7-series prototype’s visit to the GM Proving Grounds appears to have answered that question.
For all other spy shots of the 2009 7-Series, click here.
11/13, 4:29 PM
posted by:
LP640
GM’S INPUT INTO A CAR AS HIGH QUALITY AND TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED AS A 7 SERIES IS COMPLETELY USELESS.
SHOULDNT GM WORKING ON A FANATSY CAR THAT WILL RUN ON AIR AND THEN MAGICALLY PRODUCE MONEY AS ITS ONLY EMISSION ???
11/13, 4:48 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Gm should hunt down aliens that eat people like you and piss gasoline
11/13, 4:51 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Is it me, or has LP640 become even more incoherent and disjointed lately?
11/13, 5:10 PM
posted by:
441Zuke
GM should make a car that runs on baby seals and stick it to the enviro(mental)ists
11/13, 5:11 PM
posted by:
441Zuke
seriously though it shows that gm still has it’s stuff together especially if merc and BMW share a program with them
11/13, 5:14 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
a little cooperation goes a long way, good job guys, good job.
11/13, 6:23 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Did a whole article get deleted about mercedes big ugly grill treatment?
11/13, 6:23 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
GM better spend as much time as they can learning from BMW.
11/13, 6:48 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
CA36GTP: yes, ever since his lobotomy was taken out last month LP640’s behavior has been more and more unpredictable. If this goes on much longer I’m afraid we’re going to have to put him down.
11/13, 6:59 PM
posted by:
Kaizen
Please, GM has been learning from Toyota at NUMMI for almost 20 years. You’d figure they’d figure out by now how to control their inventories, match toyota’s overall quality and implement lean manuf. strategies long before now. What makes you think this would be any different?
11/13, 7:28 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
What do you think the odds are that at the same time as a 7 series is on a GM proving ground there’s an Impala in spy guise on BMW’s turf in Bavaria?
11/13, 7:48 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
“GM’S INPUT INTO A CAR AS HIGH QUALITY AND TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED AS A 7 SERIES IS COMPLETELY USELESS.” Umm why do you think that the “superior” Teutonic companies are working with GM? Because if GM knows how to do anything right, it’s to make transmissions. That’s why BMW and Mercedes are working with GM, and if what I heard correctly GM is investing alot of $$ into hybrid technology in catching up with the Japanese.
11/13, 9:57 PM
posted by:
autonut
Here is a bit of history: GM tranny powered Jags before it was sold to Ford.
Trannys in all front wheel drive Volvos were originally sourced from GM. Volvo was sold to Ford. Every time GM was supplying trannys to another car company Ford was snatching the company. I reckon Ford wanted to crush GM tranny biz.
GM trannys are very good and 2 stage hybrid was a joint venture. 7 series in Europe has a slew of smaller I6 engines with hybrid it may be interesting development. Even more interesting will be hybrid and diesel: it is very expensive but who can buy a cheap 7 series?
jonnycanuck it was very, very funny comment
11/13, 11:57 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
Yeah, thanks for the little tid-bit of history autonut. Also and someone may need to correct me on this but I heard from my dad who’s a test driver at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds that the tranny that’s in the F-150 is GM sourced. “Built FORD tough” with GM stuff right? From what I do know there are a lot of automotive, and Industrial/military vehicles that use GM/Allison sourced trans.
11/14, 12:23 AM
posted by:
C6Racer
GM automatic transmissions were also used in E36 cars. For those of you non-fans, E36 is the code name for all BMW 3-series cars built from 1992-1998. The younger bro has a 1994 325i and the thing that tipped me off was the “General Motors TurboHydramatic” stamped in huge ass letters on the transmission oil pan.
But yea, LP640 is a total waste of space.
11/14, 9:12 AM
posted by:
injunraiv
SS4LIFE, you’re incorrect. Ford does not use a GM sourced trans in the F150.
Happy to help!!
11/14, 9:49 AM
posted by:
frylock350
SHOULDNT GM WORKING ON A FANATSY CAR THAT WILL RUN ON AIR AND THEN MAGICALLY PRODUCE MONEY AS ITS ONLY EMISSION ???
Uh they are road testing fuel cell concept SUVs which, wait for it, runs on air. Unfortunately its emissions are water vapor though, not cash.
BMW has a history of using GM automatic transmissions and why not? They make some of the best in the business. This allows BMW to focus their engineering on their manual transmissions which is what a Bimmer is all about anyways. Kudos to BMW for not reinventing the wheel.
I though there was something about a GM/Ford codeveloped 6sp trans?
What do you think the odds are that at the same time as a 7 series is on a GM proving ground there’s an Impala in spy guise on BMW’s turf in Bavaria?
GM has tested and calibrated the handling of a number of their vehicles in Germany. Testing a zeta Impala in Bavaria on a BMW proving ground would make it far easier to keep the car under wraps. I hope its happening!
11/14, 10:00 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
The transmission GM and Ford collaborated on is a FWD 6-speed automatic transmission. GM uses it in the Saturn Aura XR, Pontiac G6 GTP/GXP, Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and soon in the Chevy Malibu LTZ V6. It’s mainly coupled with the 3.6L DOHC V6 High Feature engine, but soon will also be used with a 2.4L Ecotec in the Malibu.
Ford uses it in the Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, Ford Taurus, Ford Taurus X, and Mercury Sable.
11/14, 10:35 AM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
With all this collaboration I not sure who to hate anymore.
11/14, 10:41 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
There is no real domestic/foreign anymore. The hardliners on either side are morons.
11/14, 12:22 PM
posted by:
Get Real
GM has it’s own quality problems.
Why bring in BMW and Mercedes, unless THEY want to improve to GM’s level ?
11/14, 12:48 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
Ok, Yeah it was the 6spd auto tranny that GM collaborated with Ford on. I just wasn’t sure which vehicles they were in.
11/14, 1:03 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
frylock350: actually I was trying to be facetious, so thanks for clearing that up.
11/14, 2:30 PM
posted by:
cardesigner5
BMW must be scrapin the barell joining with GM what about HONDA/TOYOTA the leaders in hybrid tech
11/14, 2:53 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
There is no real domestic/foreign anymore. The hardliners on either side are morons.
Comment by CA36GTP, posted on November14 at 10:41 am
.
i cant believe some of you colon crammers even posted after ca36 posted the above statement, hahahahahaha flippin idjots.
11/14, 7:04 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
cd5 its a different tech, we will just have to wait for real world results to see.
11/21, 11:51 AM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
kaizin: GM and Toyota ware partners in NUMMI. No one’s teaching anyone