The
BMW X5 Mild Hybrid Vehicle - Is it worthy?
BMW
takes the mild path to hybrids
Recently, I made a post Do
Mild Hybrid Vehicles Makes Sense, and I think the BMW
X5 Mild hybrid might easily resolve that question.
Yes, if they are anything like the BMW X5 Hybrid.
The BMW X5 is the first mild hybrid to come out of
the Efficient Dynamics program, which debuted the dual
mode X6 Active hybrid last year, but it sounds like it
won't be the last. The X5 might also be the first diesel
hybrid to come to the States.
Using a twin-turbo charged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder,
common-rail diesel engine, and a regenerative braking
system to charge a lithium-ion battery pack hidden under
the cargo floor that a powers an electric motor for
supplementary power, the X5 achieves 36.2 mpg. That's more
than 6 mpg better than the turbocharged, 3.0-liter
six-cylinder version.
The all-wheel drive X5 hybrid also offers other cool,
hybrid-driven features such as start/stop and low drag
wheels fitted with low-rolling-resistance tires, but some
of the coolest features of the BMW X5 are related to its
electrical systems - the X5 has two of them.
A standard 12-volt system works in parallel with a
120-volt system, which helps the X5 hybrid take better
advantage of a large solar panel fitted on the roof of the
X5 that the vehicle uses to power up entertainment
systems, air conditioning, etc - helping to make the
vehicle even more efficient.
This is the kind of engineering that makes one wonder why
every vehicle isn't a hybrid vehicle - at least a mild
hybrid to start?
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