2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 5
Base Price $60,950
Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 4365
City (MPG) 23
Hwy (MPG) 30
Horsepower 335@5800
Torque (lb-ft) 300@1300-5000
Wheelbase 116.9
Length (in.) 193.1
Width (in.) 73.2
Height (in.) 57.6
The ActiveHybrid 5 is a puzzling vehicle. Based on BMW's 535i midsize luxury sedan, the ActiveHybrid 5 adds a costly gas-electric powertrain but offers barely any fuel economy or performance benefits.
To create the ActiveHybrid 5, BMW took the 300 horsepower, 300 lb-ft of torque 3.0-liter TwinPower turbocharged inline-six cylinder from the 535, along with its eight-speed automatic transmission and then added a 55 horsepower, 155 lb-ft or torque electric drive system. The result is a combined peak 335 horsepower (hybrids requite some fuzzy math) and the ability to drive up to 37 miles per hour on electric power alone. The electric power for the motor is provided from a lithium-ion battery with 96 cells and a usable capacity of 675 watt hours. BMW says the ActiveHybrid used both a 14.6 volt power supply and a 317 volt supply, with the two systems linked together through a voltage transformer.
