BMW has plenty to show visitors to Auto Shanghai, not least the world's first glimpse in the metal of the new 6 Series Coupé. Alongside the coupé, which uses the same 3.0-litre turbo and 4.4-litre V8 engines as the Convertible, BMW has its Concept M5 on show.

Close to being production ready, the Concept M5 uses a twin-turbo V8 engine in place of the previous M5's V10. BMW insiders say the new V8 offers more power (rumoured at 550bhp), as well as better economy and emissions.

Alongside the M5 sits BMW's electric 5 Series, the ActiveHybrid 5. This plug-in hybrid model uses a 300bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine in conjunction with a 54bhp electric motor, both driving through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The Concept ActiveHybrid 5 Series uses its satellite navigation to detect downhill stretches of road where it can use regenerative braking to charge the battery. Using this system, BMW claims it can extend the electric range of the car by 30 per cent.

Another environmental offering from BMW for the Shanghai crowds is the ActiveE, which comes under the company's new project i brand. The ActiveE uses a 170bhp electric motor mounted in a car based on the 1 Series Coupé. It is a full four-seater with rear-wheel drive and a range of 125 miles on a single charge. BMW says the first project i vehicle, the Megacity Vehicle, will go into production in 2013 using much of the technology trialled in the ActiveE.

One more BMW concept is on display in Shanghai: the Vision ConnectedDrive. It shows off BMW's technology to help the car interact with the driver. It uses driver aids, infotainment and a new display screen to help the driver and car make the quickest, most economical progress. BMW says this is a glance into the future driving experience that uses intelligent networking.

See the BMW 6 Series Coupé on the road in the video below:



Alisdair Suttie - 18 Apr 2011