The 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 happens to be a hybrid that will never remind you of a Prius in every shape or form. Whenever you first think of hybrid, you think fuel performance, but the BMW hybrid is nowhere near as efficient as most hybrids. In comparison to the other 7-series models, the 2011 ActiveHybrid 7 helps you to save more on fuel but it does not move well in stop and go traffic and the idle stop feature shuts off the power steering. It will do a good job of combining raw car power with the fuel efficiency of hybrid technology but there are some quirks that get in the way.
Using an electric powered motor in a hybrid implies that the gas-powered motor is smaller but in the case of the BMW, it is not. Most hybrids lower gasoline costs even while maintaining power, but BMW saw the extra power, and decided to make their cars go faster. Like the standard BMW 750i, the 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 has a twin turbo direct-injection 4.4-liter V-8 engine. The only difference is the electric powered motor thats powered by the 120-volt lithium ion battery pack. The hybrid provides you with improved gas mileage than the regular 750i but provide even more horsepower.
Even with being a hybrid automobile, the ActiveHybrid 7 does not drive in pure electric mode in any situation. It is much like the Integrated Motor Assist System of the Honda where the engine is going to shut down at stops and will add boost during acceleration. Being a driver, you would not assume the ActiveHybrid 7 is a hybrid until you see a blue area on the fuel gauge indicating that electricity is being regenerated. As soon as the car stops at a traffic light, you will know that it is a hybrid, by the engine going soundless and the tach needle drops to zero. In spite of the dimensions of the engine, the vehicle starts up very smoothly when you take the foot off the brake pedal.
Although the idle stop system works well at a long stoplight, it doesnt do so well in stop-and-go traffic. The vehicle will usually shut down for 5 seconds at a time which can end up being irritating after awhile. The degree of energy is impressive but it does take some getting used to because the car will lunge forward even with a light touch on the accelerator. It doesnt sound like a very eco-friendly car but the goal of this hybrid is to add power more than improve fuel efficiency.
Gas effectiveness is pretty relative when you compare it to other hybrids where it is more efficient than other BMW 7 series models but it get 20 miles per gallon. Not bad for the high end vehicle it is, but nothing spectacular for a hybrid.