Futuristically Dynamic

Built initially as a showcase of future technologies and conceived to show off BMW’s prowess, the Vision Efficient Dynamics concept proved to be one of the biggest crowd-pullers at the last Frankfurt Motor Show. And buoyed by the popularity of the concept, BMW has decided to put the VED into production to cash in on its appeal with the ‘Green’ crowd and to earn itself brownie points with not only the eco-friendly consumer but also with sections of consumers who are forever demanding the latest in terms of automotive technology. Powered by a range extender combination of a 1.5-litre Turbo Diesel engine paired with a brace of electric motors individually powering the front wheels, the VED boasts of an impressive power output of a combined 356bhp with a stunning 799Nm of torque and lends the car very impressive performance figures of a 0-100kmph time of a mere 4.8 seconds and leading on to a restricted top speed of 250kmph. But those are the performance figures, what about the efficiency of the vehicle one might ask? Well its notable that despite the sports car credentials of the car, the VED offers a staggering fuel efficiency of 26.6kmpl and has a CO2 emission output of a mere 99g/km. These are figures that are truly staggering even for a purely hybrid car and for a conscious sports car like the VED the numbers are even more impressive. Part of the reason for the fascinating overall performance of the VED lies in the fact that the car is in fact a brand new ‘clean-sheet’ design which enabled BMW’s crack engineering team to achieve heights with the car that would’ve never been possible otherwise. So to achieve the seemingly impossible goal of sports car performance but with hybrid like efficiency and minimal carbon emissions the team of engineers decided to use the best possible technology with revolutionary techniques like layered construction, extensive use of special polycarbonate auto-tinting glass, aluminium construction and extensive use of aerodynamic expertise from BMW’s motorsport arm resulting in an ultra-low Cd rating of 0.22 and a low kerb weight of only 1400kgs. I suppose the real appeal of the VED lies in the fact though that it’s an eco-friendly, efficient car but at the same time is also good looking, features functional modern technology, has sports car standards of performance and best of all, goes into production very soon. Win-win situation as far as petrol heads like me are concerned.