World Auto News & Reviews

BMW formally introduced the X6 ActiveHybrid to North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show today. Priced from $89,725, the gasoline-electric version of the luxury SUV will go on sale later this week.

That’s a hefty premium over the X6 xDrive50i, but it does include most of the goodies in the standard V8’s Premium Package.

The X6 ActiveHybrid will offer a handful of options: Ventilated seats ($1,100), Cold Weather package ($900), Rear side window shades ($300), automatic high beams ($250), satellite radio ($350), rear seat entertainment ($1,700), smart phone integration ($150) and a premium audio system ($700).

Physically, the X6 ActiveHybrid differs in few ways from its more conventional brethren. Most bystanders will notice only special badging and unique alloy wheels.

One of the most performance-oriented hybrid powetrain to hit the market yet, the BMW system is based on a 400 horsepower twin turbo V8 powered by gasoline and two electric motors that pump out 91 and 86 horsepower. The peak torque of the combined system is a diesel-like 575 lb-ft.

BMW says the big four-door hatchback crossover will hit 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and that it is capable of driving on purely electric power up to 37 mph. CO2 emissions are down to 231 g/km, a 20 percent decrease over a comparable gas-only X6.

The system uses a two-mode seven-speed active transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system comes as standard.

Hidden beneath the rear luggage compartment is a 2.4 kWh NiMH battery pack capable of putting out 57 kW and power is delivered by a 50kW regenerator.