Double vision for Active BMW

It’s late to the hybrid party, but BMW has made a dramatic entrance with this – its X6 ActiveHybrid. That’s because it features two electric motors mated to a V8 petrol engine.

One is optimised for town driving, while the other is tuned for motorway use – a place where traditional hybrids usually rely solely on their petrol engine. The set-up incorporates an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and bosses claim the ActiveHybrid has a 20 per cent fuel saving compared to a standard car. It’s set to arrive in showrooms by 2009.