BMW has announced that it will be offering a hybrid version of its 7 Series luxury saloon.
BMW dubs the first hybrid to be offered by the company 'ActiveHybrid', BMW's technology the next step along its EfficientDynamics path.
Due to be unveiled at the Paris motor show, the hybrid 7 Series uses an electric motor in conjunction with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine.
The petrol engine delivers 407bhp and 442lb.ft of torque, while the electric motor offers a more modest 20bhp and 155lb.ft of torque.
Unlike other hybrids the 7 Series ActiveHybrid isn't expected to be capable of running on pure electric power; instead the electric motor adds boost to the drivetrain when accelerating to reduce fuel consumption.
The addition of the electric motor should see economy gains of up to 15% over the conventionally-powered 750i upon which the ActiveHybrid is based.
The BMW 7 Series hybrid will compete head on with Mercedes' recently announced S 400 BlueHybrid and the Lexus LS600h, such choice in the luxury market underlining that even wealthy captains of business and industry have an environmental conscience.
Sales for the new 7 Series ActiveHybrid are expected to start late in 2009.
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