2008 Geneva Motor Show: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

• Looks like: Another way for eco-conscious celebrities to get to the Oscars
• Defining characteristics: Turbo-diesel hybrid powertrain, lithium-ion battery pack, eight-speed automatic transmission, roof-mounted solar panels, average fuel economy of 36 mpg
• Ridiculous features: Its name
• Chance of being mass produced: With other luxury automakers already in the hybrid game or entering soon, it’s a no-brainer for BMW to establish a presence — if not with a production version of this hybrid, then something else.

BMW has chosen its X5 luxury SUV as the platform for which to showcase a hybrid concept dubbed Vision EfficientDynamics. The all-wheel-drive concept utilizes a 204-hp, twin-turbo 2.0-liter diesel engine that’s supplemented by an electric motor, according to BMW.

Unlike the previously shown X6 hybrid concept, the mild hybrid system in the Vision EfficientDynamics cannot operate solely on electric power. However, the diesel engine does turn off when the vehicle comes to a halt to save fuel and the concept also features regenerative braking technology to capture kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost. That energy is stored for later use in a lithium-ion battery pack in the rear of the SUV. Average fuel economy for the concept works out to about 36 mpg, according to the automaker, which is a 100% improvement over the X5’s 18 mpg combined rating with the base 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder.

The concept uses a new eight-speed automatic transmission BMW has developed with ZF. BMW says this transmission is ready for “serial production use” so look for it to appear in future BMW cars and SUVs as the German automaker looks to erase its gear-count deficit with Lexus, which uses an eight-speed automatic in its flagship LS full-size sedan.

The Vision EfficientDynamics has some unique styling elements like silver bumpers and special 19-inch alloy wheels, the latter of which BMW says allow the SUV to operate more efficiently thanks to their aerodynamic qualities. Beyond that, though, its appearance is much like your everyday X5, which isn’t a bad thing as that SUV is rather stylish. The concept also has solar panels on the roof that can be used to run a cool box in the car and also heat gear oil to increase efficiency.

It’ll be interesting to see how BMW, a company universally recognized as a builder of engaging-to-drive cars, integrates hybrids into its product lineup as it appears ready to do. Hybrids introduce more electronics to a vehicle, and if they diminish from the driving experience BMW fans aren’t likely to take kindly to that.