BMW looks to the near future and sets the stage for the 2009 Frankfurt Auto show by unveiling its high performance eco-friendly concept car, the Vision EfficientDynamics.

The EfficientDynamic is a stunning 2 + 2 four door 356-horsepower all-wheel-drive plug-in diesel hybrid concept car (what a tongue full) that retains the legendary BMW performance and handling, while achieving a Prius like fuel economy of almost 63MPG. The magical underpinnings of the vehicle are based on the fusion of three key concepts; active hybrid technology, an extremely efficient engine and an ultra efficient lightweight aerodynamic body.

Power comes from a 1.5 liter direct injection 3-Cylinder turbo diesel engine and two electric motors, one at each axle. The diesel pumps out 163 horsepower and 214 foot pounds of torque or a whopping 356 ponies and a bulldozer pulling 590 pound-feet of torque when combined with the two electric motors. Powering all this for the first 31 miles is electricity using a lithium-ion battery array and a sophisticated software controller that keeps everything humming along in unison. All the diesel engines good stuff is sent to the rear wheels via a six speed dual clutch transmission, while the hybrid power train operates the rear wheels, with the front system operating via battery power alone.

All this makes for 'BWM like' performance with an estimated top speed of 155-mph and a 0-60 time of the less than 4.8 seconds. Not bad for car achieving 63MPG and having a 400 mile plus range with a 2.5 hour recharge time.

BMW wrapped this triad of technology into a stunningly crafted, super efficient race inspired coupe that achieves an astounding 0.22 coefficient of drag, besting every production car on the market. The EfficientDynamic features LED lighting with ambient hues, photochromic glass that darkens in response to the climate, Kevlar seats and a heads up display that features built-in night vision.

Weighing in at 3076 lbs and 181.1 inches in length, the coupe fits right square in the middle of BMW's current product line and could be a harbinger of things to come. We would love to see this vehicle make it to production and even if it doesn't, most if not all the technology behind it, eventually will.

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