BMW Oz prices its first hybrid

BMW has announced pricing for its first hybrid model to be offered in Australia, the ActiveHybrid 5, which will be available from October priced at $122,900 plus on-road costs.

That makes the six-cylinder petrol-electric 5 Series sedan $7300 more expensive than the $115,600 535i upon which it’s based, and precisely $2000 more than the six-cylinder diesel-powered 535d ($120,900).

Standard specifications are almost identical to both models, including bi-Xenon headlights, Bluetooth preparation, head-up display, internet function and Professional Navigation, but the electrified Five also adds four-zone air-conditioning.

The 5 Series hybrid will be joined in BMW Australia’s fledgling hybrid model range by the ActiveHybrid 3 in December and the ActiveHybrid 7 in March.

The 3 Series hybrid, which employs the same drive system as the ActiveHybrid 5 and the same turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol engine as the 335i sedan ($91,900), is expected to be priced around $100,000, while the ActiveHybrid 7 should command a similar premium over the $206,900 740i at about $215,000.

BMW Australia’s first three hybrids will pave the way for the Bavarian brand’s first all-electric model, the all-new i3 hatchback, which arrives here in early 2014, followed by the i8 plug-in hybrid super-coupe.

Because its 225kW/400Nm petrol six is backed up by a 40kW electric motor – sandwiched between the TwinPower Turbo engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, and powered by a lithium-ion battery pack under the boot floor – the 5 Series hybrid outputs more performance at 250kW and 450Nm.

Therefore the rear-wheel drive 5 Series hybrid sprints to 100km/h three-tenths quicker than the 535i in 5.9 seconds and, partly because its full parallel hybrid system allows for zero-emissions driving at up to 160km/h for short distances, combined fuel consumption is reduced by more than 10 per cent.

Official figures claim the ActiveHybrid 5 consumes between 6.4 and 7.0 litres per 100km of petrol and emits between 149 and 163 grams of CO2 per kilometre, depending on the wheel and tyre combination fitted.

Naturally, that makes it more efficient than the 535i (7.6L/100km) and ‘cleaner’ than the 535d (211g/km), but the latter is still more frugal at 6.1L/100km – not to mention the four-cylinder 520d diesel, which consumes just 4.9L/100km and costs only $80,700.

Of course, the 520d is much slower than both the ActiveHybrid 5 and the 535d (0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds), at 8.1 seconds.

Available exclusively in ‘Liquid Blue’ exterior paint, the ActiveHybrid 5 is further differentiated from other 5 Series models by C-pillar and door sill lettering, galvanised kidney grille bars, matte chrome exhaust outlets, unique badging on the centre console and engine and battery covers, and 18-inch Streamline alloy wheels.

“The EfficientDynamics strategy is the foundation of everything we do and the ActiveHybrid models represent the next step towards zero emission motoring,” said BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Phil Horton.

“The arrival of these new ActiveHybrid models, starting with the ActiveHybrid 5, demonstrates BMW’s commitment to and progress towards the future of sustainable mobility.”

While the ActiveHybrid 5 will be a direct rival for new large hybrid luxury sedans like the Lexus GS450h hybrid and Infiniti M35h hybrid, Mercedes-Benz is still studying a business case for the introduction of either of its two E-class hybrid models in Australia and Audi has confirmed its first hybrid will arrive here in December, in the form of the similarly sized A6 hybrid.

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