BMW Vision EfficientDynamics gets green light +video

The BMW EfficientDynamics is set for production in 2013

Probably the biggest show stopper at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show was the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, which offered a diesel hybrid setup withn two electric motors, M3 levels of performance and low emissions with 75mpg. In essence, a BMW M1 for the Eco generation.

Since BMW revealed their Vision ED other premium car makers have joined the eco-supercar game and announced production of what amount to high-performance hybrids and/or electric cars. Mercedes has confirmed they are working on an SLS AMG E-Cell, with a working prototype already running around.

Audi has been plating silly buggers with a whole raft of pointless E-Tron models, but have finally come up with a promising one in the Audi E-Tron Spyder we saw at Paris in September, and Porsche has now revealed the 918 Spyder Concept will go in to production.

Even Jaguar has been playing the Eco-Supercar game with the stunning Jaguar CX-75 Concept at Paris this year, although the tech in the Jag is not ready to go out and play yet.

So it’s no surprise that BMW has revealed they will be putting the Vision EfficientDynamics in to production with cars hitting the road by the last quarter of 2013.

At the moment the test mule – which you can see in the video below – is running round with the setup showcased at Frankfurt, which is a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5 litre diesel plus a pair of electric motors. But BMW say this could change as development continues. The most likely would be swapping out the diesel for a petrol lump and/or increasing the power of the ICE lump. But it’s early days.

However, if all goes to plan, BMW will join Mercedes, Audi and Porsche with an Eco-Supercar in three years time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PZHHq2hWFc

By Cars UK