Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee

The BMW’s ActiveHybrid 5 truly “Floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee..."

However, it is going to be interesting see whether its gold star green credentials will have strong appeal for traditional Beemer fans who tend to favour dynamics and performance ahead of virtually any of the marque's other charms.

Not that the new good, clean and fresh Five has sacrificed much of its driving magic on the altar of efficiency. Yes, it does have a whispering electric motor which considerably reduces fuel consumption and emissions in slow city driving BUT it is linked to the brand's stomping 225kW turbo-fed six-cylinder which is the same chunk of classy metal that propels the BMW 535i.

What's your pleasure?

The 40kW electric motor is fed by a high-performance lithium-ion battery housed in the boot and together the two engines deliver power via an eight-speed auto box to the rear wheels. This means the new ActiveHybrid can tick along frugally in slow traffic while gently sipping expensive forecourt juice but can also squirt like a scalded cat when you stomp down on the pleasure pedal.

This is where the dilemma kicks in because it's very, very difficult to drive this pure driver's machine on tippy toe with the knowledge that the prize-winning six-cylinder is in permanent red alert mode, ready to launch the minute your right foot bangs the accelerator down on the mat.

If you like it, you'd better buy it - only 30 are coming in initially, and thereafter, it's on an order-by-order basis.

If, for the sake of conscience and cleaner air one pootles along not faster than 60km/h (instead of 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds) BMW says fuel consumption should be between 6.4 and 7.0 litres/100km and emissions between 140-163g/km, although "this may vary according to tyre format specified".

This poses the question: is that really all that much better than the 535id automatic which has a combined cycle fuel consumption of 7.6 litres/100km/h, or the faster petrol-powered 535i which consumes about 10 litres/100km, particularly taking in the huge price differences between the cars?

30 to start, the rest on an order-by-order basis

Obviously equipment levels need to be carefully looked at when comparing the three models and although the suits at BMW are clearly chuffed with the newcomer to their local stable, they say only 30 will be coming to South Africa this year off the production line in Germany. After that hybrids will only be brought into South Africa on order.

Because it is going to be sold in such limited numbers will no doubt add to the hybrid's snob value. In addition it also brags with a rather prominent "ActiveHybrid 5" lettering on the side and rear of the car, on the centre console and the engine cover to elevate it to an even higher look-at-me level.

The 40kW electric motor is fed by a high-performance lithium-ion battery housed in the boot.

But back to the Hybrid set-up. No doubt blue propeller fans, pub experts and the hoodies addicted to high octane will know that in a hybrid car the battery is charged when the car is coasting or braking, with the engine acting as a generator to feed energy into the battery. It works the same in the 5 Series and the car can also run on its electric motor alone for up to four kilometres as long as speed is kept down to 60km/h or less.

Bank those kilometres

Good inspiration to drive frugally also comes the way of an Eco Prom mode setting (in addition to the usual Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes) which includes a coasting function and an energy conservation monitor.

The car is also equipped with a stop-start function which kicks in when traffic is at a standstill and there is even a digital graph which shows when the driver is being a good citizen or when he should go and stand in the bad boy corner. Another graph shows how many kilometres a conscientious driver has banked when he drives gently-gently.

Obviously equipment levels need to be carefully looked at when comparing the three models.

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In terms of seriously fancy onboard kit the new hybrid has the same equipment as the standard 5 Series and that's enough to keep owners burning the midnight oil while wading through the manufacturer's handbook to read all about stationary climate control, navigation system professional, 4-zone automatic climate control and driving experience control are standard and optional extras include active seat ventilation, comfort access, sports automatic gearbox with shift paddles on the steering wheel, soft close automatic function for the doors and boot lid, hands-free boot lid opening function, electrically operated glass roof, and high-quality audio and rear-seat entertainment systems.

Glitzy gadgets galore

More glitzy gadgets include head-up display, park distance control, rear-view camera, surround view, adaptive headlights, high-beam assist, speed limit info, lane change warning system, night vision with pedestrian detection, internet usage, extended integration of smartphones and music players, real-time traffic information and apps for receiving web radio and using Facebook and Twitter.

But over and above its wall-to-wall specifications the new Five is also dressed to kill and distinguishing make-up include galvanised slats on the grille, matt chrome tailpipes, handsome 18-inch light alloys and unique Bluewater metallic paintwork.

In fitting with the spirit of the car our Media launch drive took us through some of the beautiful verdant country-side of Durbanville, Malmesbury, Wellington, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Suffice to say the car cruises like cream and simply purrs along at low revs, as comfortable and as spacious as only a luxury leather-wrapped drive in a seriously classy premium sedan can be.

Under the hood - the brand’s stomping 225kW turbo-fed six-cylinder, which is the same chunk of classy metal that propels the BMW 535i.

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Muhammed Ali's famous description of his own boxing prowess springs to mind because BMW's ActiveHybrid 5 truly "Floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee..."

The ride quality and over all driving pleasure of this hybrid is something which no other hybrid manufacturer has succeeded in achieving. Whether you are looking for car that makes you feel good about doing your bit for the melting ice-bergs, or fulfils your need for a stand-out status symbol or you simply enjoy driving a car that is smooth, safe, smart and sexy, the ActiveHybrid 5 presses all the right buttons.

Footnote: Days after this article was written the new Lexus GS 450h F-Sport was also launched in South Africa so read it and compare notes!

Specifications and performance.

New 2012 BMW 5 ActiveHybrid Interior

2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 [technology]

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 On Location Lisbon Hybrid technology