BMW PLANS RANGE OF ECOFRIENDLY CARS

       German carmaker BMW plans to boost the number of frugal,ecofriendly models in its range.
       Norbert Reithofer, who will soon take over as board chairman, made the announcement in Leipzig, wher BMW unveiled its new X1 compact off-roader.
       The move marks an expansion of BMW's Efficien Dynamics strategy aimed at cutting the fuel consumption of its vehicle line-up by as much as 15 per cent.
       At the recent Frankfurt car show, BMW showed petrol-electric hybrid versions of the full-size X6 sport-utility vehicle and the 7 Series limousine.
       "In the medium term, we want to hybridise the range right down to the 3 Series," Reithofer said.
       Future BMW technology will include full hybrids in which the internal-combustion enginecharges batteries for electric running and plug-in versions that use mains power to charge on-board power packs regularly.
       BMW is concentrating on what it calls "Project 1",a"mega-city vehicle" due to be slotted in below the present upmarket range.
       "By 2015, this family of vehicles will include a battery electric," Reithofer said.
       In the long-term, Reithofer believes internal-combustijon engines that burn hydrogen are the way ahead for BMW.
       "We will remain loyal to this technology," he said.
       The focus is now on designng a better fuel tank to store liquid hydrogen on board. Onece this problem has been solved, a new generation of demonstration vehicles will emerge.
       Although BMW has been successfully experimenting with hydrogen power for more than 20 years, the technology has been hampered by bulky fuel tanks and the lack of a hydrogen-filling-station infrastructure.

       AT THE RECENT Frankfurt car show, BMW highlighted petrol-electric hybrid versions of the full-size X6 sport-utility vehicle and the 7 Series limousine.