[JoeyBananaz18]

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLY SHIT!!!!!! It took some time for them to respond to the R8, but can we all agree it was worth the wait?

[Xiaofeng]

Just saw this, and I am absolutely in love. Aggressive front fascia, sleek silhouette, low slung, (fairly) light weight, and economical. Pretty much the very definition of a hybrid sports car. I sincerely hope BMW will develop a version for production, but part of me wants to cry because it likely will remain a concept.

Please, please, PLEASE put this car in production and I will be your very first customer!!!

[LZM Ray]

DAMN its fuxing Gorgeous!... I would take this over an R8 anyday! so flashy!

[Hula-Hula]

Wow, fucking amazing concept both on the drivetrain and the design! Very good job BMW

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by Robert

The front is terrific the rear seems a bit too busy. I need high res before passing judgement. I wonder if the lighted grill will make production. Probably too gaudy in real life.

But but .... So much windows to tint.

It has automatic tinting windows (like transitions lenses)

[Tallest]

If this front is going to go on a new 3 series.. oh wow. I love this thing and the M1 homage looking headlights! Go BMW, finally a super cool concept!


FROM CAR:

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept sports car

By Tim Swietochowski

First official pictures

29 August 2009 23:01

Thought sports cars had no future? BMW disagrees. Its new Vision EfficientDynamics concept car is a high-performance 2+2 mixing supercar performance with the emissions of a small hatchback. It's the frontispiece of the Germans' stand at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show and a major eco landmark for the Bavarians.

The new BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept uses a titchy 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel mated to two electric motors – one up front and one at the rear axle – to yield a total output of 351bhp and 590lb ft of torque. This might be a green show car, but it'll hit 62mph in just 4.8sec and top out at a limited 155mph.

But here's the good bit. Despite these supercar-nibbling performance figures, the Vision EfficientDynamics achieves remarkable CO2 emissions and fuel economy of just 99g/km and 75.1mpg. Or so BMW claims (this is a concept car, after all...)

2009 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car: the tech

The combustion engine uses common-rail direct injection and a variable intake turbocharger to put out 161bhp and 214lb ft of torque; BMW claims the power is a record diesel specific output of 108bhp per litre.

Mated to the engine is a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, tuned to achieve maximum efficiency by changing up early. The tiny 25-litre fuel tank allows for a 400-mile range solely under diesel power, but this concept car can run in full EV mode too – bumping the overall range up to around 435 miles.

A BMW that'll drive on full Electric Vehicle (EV) mode?

You bet. The Vision EfficientDynamics can operate as a full plug-in hybrid and in this mode its CO2 emissions are almost halved to 50g/km. The electric motor on the rear axle, which produces 34bhp, collects energy on the overrun and during braking before sending it to the car’s lithium-ion battery. The motor at the front, meanwhile, produces 79bhp (or up to 137bhp in electric overboost mode).

When plugged into domestic power mains the car takes two and a half hours to recharge, reducing to less than 45 minutes with higher voltage power points.

What does BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics boast besides an efficient drivetrain?

BMW's thrown everything at this tech showcase. The Vision EfficientDynamics is beset with economy-enhancing technical innovations such as a water-cooled Thermo-Electrical Generator. Sounds like something Marty McFly might use in Back to the Future – it's spacecraft technology to capture heat and convert it into electrical power.

The ECU monitors road data and sat-nav info to determine the likely road conditions ahead, setting up the car to suit. Approach the motorway, and the Vision EfficientDynamics will reduce power to the cooling system since it'll anticipate high-speed driving will provide added air cooling.

Formula One-inspired aerodynamics for a slippery silhouette

BMW claims that its F1 exploits have influenced the aerodynamic properties of the Vision EfficientDynamics, which has a wedgy drag coefficient of 0.22. The car features air deflectors and guide vanes in addition to a flat undertray and the A-pillars use a wing-profile to channel air effectively. It's mid-engined, giving a low front end and there are active louvres in the radiator that close off when air cooling is not required.

It's lightweight, too. The chassis and suspension are made entirely from aluminium, helping trim unladen weight to 1395kg. Not sports car low, but handy for an electric car lugging around a small Caterham's worth of batteries and control systems.

It's been de-Bangled! Is this BMW's latest design language?

The Vision EfficientDynamics certainly looks radical, its most striking visual feature perhaps being the doors and roof, which are made from a polycarbonate glass that darkens according to the outside light. The gullwing doors are massive and there's effectively no B-pillar, making it a cinch to climb in and out of the back seats, says BMW.

The layering theme carries over to the inside, where a 3D head-up display displays information and signals in its foreground or background depending on their importance in any moment. The interior is characterised by contoured front seats that are attached to the centre console to create what BMW describes as a ‘landscape’ effect. There are rear seats, too, that appear to float above the car’s floor.

[rollo]

I have to agree with the overwhelming majority here (minus the foul language and body fluid references).

Front is fabulous, rear is a bit busy (reminds me of a Japenese concept car). Overall, simply outstanding. Now lets get something similar in the portfolio post haste to do battle with the R8 and 911.

Also, as another poster mentioned, BMW really needs to lose the joy marketing mantra, it's not very masculine. "Sustainable" does not stir the senses either. Lets get back to the ultimate driving machine theme!

[MrHarris]

That looks too good. Also, the numbers that thing has is just amazing.

[c0nstant]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLY SHIT!!!!!! It took some time for them to respond to the R8, but can we all agree it was worth the wait?

i highly doubt this is bmws 'response' to the R8.

[GR8TNESS]

Simply stunning! The illuminated front grill looks sick.

[BMW3R]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

It has automatic tinting windows (like transitions lenses)

I was wondering how hot that would be in the summer having a glass roof. That would definitely be very nice.

I for one would buy one as well. Love the car.

[twinturboa51]

:dro ol:
This thing is siiiiiiiiiiiiiick i want one now!

[Gumby_F80]

damn, thats ill

[JoeyBananaz18]

Originally Posted by jh valley

i highly doubt this is bmws 'response' to the R8.

why do you say that? if its the gonna be the new 3? response to the S4?

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

why do you say that? if its the gonna be the new 3? response to the S4?

lol, its a concept car, packed of new design features (new lights, new grille, new body panels) and new engine tech (tiny diesel with electric motors). Probably all will go to next gen bmws, and will be showcased proper on a sports car like the R8 or even something smaller.

BMW needs R8 competitor simply as it will make again all other cars desirable. What R8 did for Audi is make the rest very desirable. R8 also happened to be 1) good to drive 2) relatively a bargain 3) look good 4) still prestigious. All nice qualities to have for a premium car maker like AUDI.

BMW admit they messed up and need an R8 competitor, this is a fact guys, it's not some 'theory'. They admitted this in few interviews and previously off the record.

[samuraisaiyo]

very very very very smart

[numba1guju]

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

why do you say that? if its the gonna be the new 3? response to the S4?

Its not a response to anything, it is in a division by itself (for now)

[BoostedBMW]

Finally a hybrid with some balls... at least I now have some hope for the future. I love it.

[CHARLEYBROWN]

The front end looks like a Camaro... Feel free to verbally assault me now

[BoostedBMW]

Originally Posted by CHARLEYBROWN

The front end looks like a Camaro... Feel free to verbally assault me now

It does with the cut off headlights, but at the same time the M6 concept looked kind of similar as well.

[polaxgr]

Originally Posted by CHARLEYBROWN

The front end looks like a Camaro... Feel free to verbally assault me now

hahahaha HOW CAN U SAY THAT ???