BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept: 62 MPG and 0-62 in 4.8 Seconds

By Nick Mokey Published December 4, 2009

For those not quite lucky enough to make it to Frankfurt to witness BMW’s new Vision EfficientDynamics concept exposed for the first time, BMW yanked off the cover yet again for an audience at the LA Auto Show on Wednesday.

BMW_efficient_dynamics_concept — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The ferocious-looking hybrid combines sportscar styling with electric underpinnings to deliver 62 miles per gallon, and a zero to 62 time of 4.8 seconds.

Recommended Videos

Unlike similar electric vehicles that use lithium-ion or nickel-metal-hydride battery packs, the Vision uses a lithium-polymer battery pack – the same type used in ultrathin laptops like Apple’s MacBook Air. The pack pumps power to a dual front and back electric motors which put down a combined 356 horsepower – enough to push the Vision all the way to 155 mph.

Similar to Volkswagen’s diesel-sipping Up Lite, it also uses an efficient diesel engine to power the batteries between at-home charging.

Although BMW showed footage of the vehicle zipping around twisty forest roads, it remains, unlike Audi’s E-Tron, purely a dream for the time being, with no finite plans for production.

BMW_efficient_dynamics_concep_01 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Topics

LA Auto Show

Editor in Chief

As Digital Trends’ Editor in Chief, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team covering every gadget under the sun, along with…

Cars

Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work

Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

When you think Mini, you probably don’t think of infotainment. Personally, I think of the British flag taillights, the distinct exterior, and the surprising room on the inside. But after driving the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman over the past week, infotainment might well be something I think of more often when it comes to Mini. It’s charming.

It also, however, suffers from all the traps that other legacy automakers fall into when it comes to software design. Mini has something on its hands here — but it still needs some work.
Bringing the charm
The first thing that stood out to me about the system when I got in the car was how fun it was. That all starts with the display. It’s round! No, it’s not curved — the screen is a big, round display sits in at 9.4 inches, and I found it plenty large enough for day-to-day use.

Cars

Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?

Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Cars

EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says

ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.