Concepts due to debut at Geneva

(BMW)

BMW has confirmed that it will debut a concept version of its 5 Series Hybrid at next week's Geneva International Motor Show.

The German luxury marque confirmed February 26 that the new BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid, a development of the firm's ActiveHybrid X6 and ActiveHybrid 7, will be on display alongside the all-electric BMW ActiveE concept, originally showed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Concept 5 Series hybrid will showcase technologies likely to be featured in forthcoming BMW models, including a more efficient brake energy regeneration system and efficiency improvements in the electronics that control the combustion engine/electric motor interaction.

The vehicle will also feature an ability to adjust to upcoming road conditions by "learning" previous routes. By analyzing previous route data, the hybrid systems will optimize energy usage and generation by, for example, knowing that the car is about to go downhill and that brake energy should be stored. Similarly, on a regular route, the car can switch off its combustion engine early, enabling the driver to complete the route on all electric power. BMW claims that this forward-looking function is able to extend the cruising range on electric power by up to 30 percent.

Lotus is also set to launch a hybrid concept version of its Evora roadster, featuring plug-in hybrid technology and a total hybrid range of over 480 kilometres. The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid can accelerate from 0-97 km/h in under four seconds but can travel up to 35 miles on electric power before switching on the combustion engine.

Not all of the concepts at Geneva will be quite so road-ready, however. Honda has released pictures of the 3R-C, a three-wheeled, emission-free electric vehicle for one occupant. Complete with a clear canopy to protect the driver from the elements, the 3R-C was designed for a European audience by Honda's European design team in Milan and will be on show alongside the Japanese-designed Honda concept EV-N.

The Geneva Motor Show opens to the public March 4 and runs through March 14.

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