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AutoExpress, a UK publication, put the new BMW ActiveHybrid 5 to the test. A BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in-line engine, an electric drive system and an eight-speed automatic gearbox is put together for the first time in this vehicle. The 306 hp six-cylinder in-line engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is aided by an electric motor developing 40 kW/55 hp. Energy is supplied by a high-performance lithium-ion battery intelligently placed into the luggage area. The total power output of the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is 340 hp. The car can be driven on electric power alone up to 60 km/h (37 mph). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds with exceptional fuel consumption: 6.4 and 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres (33 – 36.7 mpg). CO2 emissions are reported at 149 – 163 grams per kilometer. Here is an excerpt from AutoExpress’ review:
In normal mode, the ActiveHybrid 5 isn’t quite as rapid as there’s no extra battery power – we would estimate the 0-62mph time to be around 7.5 seconds. To maximise economy, the ActiveHybrid 5 debuts BMW’s Intelligent Energy Management software as part of the optional Navigation Professional system. This reads the road ahead and reacts accordingly, selecting which 
mode will be most efficient for the cleanest driving possible.
The hybrid claims to emit 16 per cent less CO2 than the 535i SE and improve economy by around 12 per cent. This means emissions as low as 149g/km with average returns of up to 44mpg when driving in the most frugal EcoPro mode.
Efficiency also depends on which wheels and tyres you go for. The ActiveHybrid 5 comes with 17-inch low-resistance tyres as standard, but our test car featured optional 18-inch Streamline alloy wheels. On the larger wheels over Portugal’s undulating coastal terrain, the best we achieved was 30.1mpg. In a 535d diesel we would expect to be getting nearer 40mpg in regular driving.
