5 Stunning BMW Hybrid Upgrades

The Phoenix International Auto Show promises to be electrifying in more ways than one, thanks to BMW’s continued commitment to hybrid vehicles. While the Motor Trend Auto Show’s website doesn’t reveal the exact BMW models that will be on hand Nov. 22- 25 at the Phoenix Convention Center, BMW may be considered remiss if it didn’t at least showcase a few of the hybrid features we can expect.

A hybrid for every personality

BMW 5-series hybrid: If a lively luxury ride is your cup of tea, then the BMW 5-series hybrid may be your vehicle. Known as the ActiveHybrid 5, the vehicle features lively handling and a force fed engine that delivers an added boost from the electric oomph. The vehicle can hit a top speed of 37 mph on purely electric power and a coasting mode speed of 100 mph with the engine switched off entirely. This will certainly be major factor in future BMW sales.

BMW 4-series hybrid: A 4-series line of BMWs is branching off from its 3-series line. The 4-series will feature vehicles that appear similar to the long-standing 3-series cars, yet have a distinctly sportier flavor- varieties like the Gran Coupe and Convertible. The only reason a 4-series crossover does not yet exist is because the line itself is still in the works. At least one vehicle prototype for the 4-series has been spotted by MotorAuthority.com, although the dynamic line will be billed as a 2015 model and is expected at showrooms like Phoenix BMW sometime in 2014.

BMW 3-series hybrid: BMW’s 3-series line will continue to feature solid and practical performance with family oriented models, and, as always, a strong focus on luxury. The line’s entry-level model known as the sDrive 18d brings you the hybrid high with a stable and sturdy rear-wheel drive.

Fabulous fuel efficiency

Motorward already hails BMW as one of the top crossovers for fuel efficiency on the market, thanks to the sDrive 18d. The vehicle averages an impressive 55.3 mph from its four-cylinder diesel Twinpower engine. If the entry level vehicle is achieving such heights, you can only imagine the developments in store for later models.

Superb energy-savings

Even the standard features on BMW’s hybrid vehicles pay acute attention to energy savings. The 3-series hybrid creates a scant output of 142 g/km CO2. Features include an ECO PRO mode, electric power steering, optimum shift indicator, brake energy regeneration and an automatic stop-start function. The ActiveHybrid 5 offers an equally impressive CO2 output of 149 g/km while also offering a more powerful engine.

Luxury touches

While they may not be heavy gas users, BMW hybrids are very heavy when it comes to luxury features. The 3-series sDrive 18d keeps its overall cost lower than the more advanced sDrive models, yet still offers luxury equipment. Features include a 6.5inch color screen in its BMW iDrive option, 17-inch alloy wheels and lush leather upholstery.

Quick recharge

While battery recharge time was not specifically noted for the BMW hybrids, the BMW Blog did put the 5-series battery into the quick category. If BMW’s 2014 purely electric minicar is any indication of the recharge speed, the high-speed charger takes you up to 80 percent power in roughly one hour.

Some hybrid models may have already made their debut at Phoenix BMW and other showrooms, while others are still in their testing phases and should be available within the next two years. That does not mean, however, you won’t see them at the Phoenix Auto Show- as BMW continues to prove that perhaps just about anything is possible.