Hybrid Power

German carmaker BMW tiptoed, rather than burst, onto the hybrid scene this year.

Just 375 X6 Active Hybrids will be produced for 2010 nationwide. They are built at the manufacturer’s plant in Greer.

“We’re obviously pleased it’s here in South Carolina,” said Bill Gironda, general sales manager at Rick Hendrick BMW. The dealership received its one, and thus far only, X6 hybrid in January.

While the company is moving deliberately into hybrids, it didn't skimp on the X6. Base price for the four-passenger, sport-utility vehicle is $88,900. With options such as rear climate control, window shades and navigation system, the model at Hendrick goes for $92,275,

“It’s very comfortable,” said Jeff Maultsby, client advisor at the dealership.

Under the hood is a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine paired with the electric motor to churn out 490 horsepower and 500 pounds-feet of torque — a measure of acceleration and quickness off the mark.

“This car is not your typical hybrid,” said Dan Zarrillo, new car sales manager at Hendrick BMW. “It’s very fast for 6,000 pounds,” the vehicle’s weight. The 0-60 miles per hour clocking is five seconds, he said.

Buyers are expected to be owners of luxury cars such as the BMW 7-series who want a powerful vehicle while looking to save on fuel, “someone who’s worried about fuel efficiency and the environment,” Zarrillo said. “The typical driver is coming out of the 7 (and) wants an SUV.”

The Active Hybrid is one of five trims for the mid-sized sport utility. The X6 also is available with a 3.5-liter inline six cylinder engine, 4.4-liter V-8 and the high-performance M with 5.0-liter V-8. All engines are twin-turbocharged.

The electrical power source in the hybrid is a series of batteries stored under the rear cargo hold. Once the car warms up, the current kicks in at slower speeds, up to 40 miles per hour. The batteries’ energy can be regenerated by pressing on the brakes, or when the car is on a descent.

The vehicle’s EPA gas mileage is 17 mpg city, 19 mpg on the highway — a 15 percent increase in fuel efficiency over the non-hybrid X6, Maultsby said.

There are a few other features exclusive to the X6 hybrid. “It has more of an aggressive bulge in the hood,” he said.

“They call it a power dome,” Zarrillo added. The color scheme is unique: the Hendrick model for instance is blue water metallic with ivory interior.

Perks found on all X6s include remote entry with a “smart” key, push-button start and stop, xenon headlights, parking-assist sensors front and back, panoramic rear camera, 19-inch run-flat tires, sunroof and seven-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted through six speeds in “Steptronic” mode by flicking the gear shift and using steering wheel paddles.

The audio system has a 64-gigabyte hard drive that can download CDs and music from iPods and other devices. Buttons on the steering wheel can tune the stations and adjust the volume.

BMW is not stopping with the X6 in its exploration of the hybrid market. By spring, the carmaker will introduce a gas-electric 7-series sedan. Only 775 will be made.

“Right now, this is just to have a vehicle in the hybrid market,” Maultsby said.

In a lengthy drive Wednesday of the X6 Active Hybrid, the sports vehicle demonstrated why the “A” is capitalized. The H in hybrid, however, might be more appropriate in lower case.

A smooth ride, impeccable handling, solid brakes and abundance of power from city to open road were the vehicle’s strengths, playing to BMW’s reputation as a memorable car to drive.

The turbocharged engine, combined with its electric power source, gives the car extra quickness. Once reaching interstate speeds, the vehicle glides. Call it a sports car in SUV clothing.

The gear shift can be tricky, at least when moving from park, where you push a button on top of the shaft, to drive or reverse, where you punch another tab then slide the handle. Yet it becomes more intuitive as you use it. Paddle shifters are in an awkward position on the steering wheel.

Handy features: a bluish gauge indicates the electric engine is in use; the information display shows how many miles you can go before running out of gas; and the speed you are traveling is projected on the driver's side windshield.

No question, the X6 is a great car to drive and a very good car for enjoying the ride. Still the vehicle would be a more functional SUV if it sat five, and shifters could be more user-friendly. Fuel savings seem rather tame.

While playing catch-up in the hybrid arena, BMW doesn’t want to rush things. The X6 is a solid first move. It has room for improvement but a whole lot to like.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com