BMW Builds Experimental 650 HP Tesla Fighter
BMW has something up its sleeves to compete with the new Tesla Model S P85D.
Borrowing research and technology from its i sub-brand, the German automaker has built a concept that its engineers have nicknamed “The Thing,” and is based on the 5 Series GT model. But instead of your mundane, fuel-efficient sedan that can comfortably carry passengers, the 5 Series GT Power eDrive concept has a plug-in hybrid powertrain that’s capable of 670 hp from its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and two electric motors. The concept is capable of traveling up to 62 miles on electric power alone.
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It appears that the plug-in hybrid powertrain is actually under consideration to be used on future Rolls-Royce, BMW X and 7 Series models and is scalable all the way down to offering 250 hp. For now, the 5 Series GT Power eDrive is purely a concept but given the German automaker’s love for all things electrified, don’t be surprised if the powertrain idea finds its way to production models before the end of the decade.
GALLERY: BMW 5 Series GT Power eDrive Concept
[Source: Car and Driver]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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So now we are competing with Tesla? So how many models have Tesla built? This is the first one in-house, if I'm not mistaken...