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Review: 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

November 13th, 2009

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 EngineBMW has a very ambitious dream when it comes to having their consumers drive hybrid vehicles. They want a non-hybrid to be hybrid. This simply means that they want a hybrid vehicle drive like non-hybrid. Salute to BMW as they bring in the ActiveHybrid X6.

The ActiveHybrid X6 is the most powerful hybrid vehicle on the planet today. The hybrid boasts of 485 horsepower and an amazing torque of 575 ft-lb. The figures come as a combo of a 407hp V8 twin turbocharged 4.4L engine and a electric motors with 91 and 86hp.

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 side

We are not here to tell you about the specs of the hybrid but give you a glimpse of how it performs:

Performance

The ActiveHybrid X6 zooms from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 5.6 seconds. This is at par with the xDrive 50i. The transmission of the vehicle worked like any other automatic transmission with the engine reacting well with the shifting and throttle very well.

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Dashboard

If you will depend only on the battery pack, the vehicle can run for 1.6 miles and cruise at 37 mph.

Fuel Efficiency

During a test drive on mixed road conditions, the ActiveHybrid X6 averaged 20.4 miles. This performs better than any other BMW X6 running with a V8 coupled with six-speed transmission. Cruising on the freeway plotted 21 mpg. The overall efficiency is 20% better than any other X6 in BMW’s fleet.

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 front

Other factors like the looks, handling, and other accessories get two thumbs up. BMW succeeded in making a BMW hybrid that is non-hybrid.

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Interior

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Ford Tweaks Six-Speed Transmission for 3.5L Fuel Efficient engine

April 20th, 2009

2010 Lincoln MKSFord introduces its 3.5 EcoBoost V6 engine this spring. This environmentally-friendly is coupled by a six-speed 6F-55 SelectShift automatic transmission that’s been configured to meet higher torque demands of the new twin-turbo direct fuel injection engine.

Both technologies will be available in Ford’s 2010 Lincoln MKS (see pic!). The 6F-55 transmission was developed from the successful blueprint of Ford’s 6F-50 transmission. Compared to the 6F-50 transmission, however, the 6F-55 is bulked up and strengthened to work with the EcoBoost V6’s architecture.

All changes were geared towards improved power and fuel efficiency. The modifications included friction material grooves that break up fluid flow and reduce clutch drag losses; nine wave CBLR; improved calibration measures; and a 15-degree-increase of start-to-open temperatures.

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