New BMW 7-series will have hybrid drive which has been developed in joint collaboration with Daimler. The car will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show to be held this month. However, according to BMW representative, first versions of the 7-Series hybrid drive serial-production version will be presented in 2009.

 

In BMW 7-series, the electric motor is fully integrated into the gearbox, which provides additional acceleration power and energy for on board electric appliances. The motor acts as a generator, collects energy from brake regeneration and stores it in a lithium-ion battery in the boot.

 

BMW 7-series will have a 300 kW/407 hp combustion engine with a 15 kW electric motor, which in turn would reduce fuel consumption by 15% compared to a standard model. Similarly, a full hybrid model BMW X 6, which runs entirely on electric power, will be unveiled next year.