Today is going to be “spy photo” day on The Green Motorist.  The folks over at BMW Blog have posted up a photo of the BMW X6 Hybrid via GlobalMotors.net.  On Sunday, Seyth Miersma at Next Autos.com posted spy photos of a Jaguar XJ which may just be the luxury motor company’s first hybrid. 

BMW X6 Hybrid

The BMW X6 will be the first hybrid BMW to hit the market.  Although expectations are that this vehicle will be initially released in Europe but hopefully the X6 will make it to the US market.  The X6 was initially revealed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.  According to the official BMW website, the X6 is “a concept vehicle that showcases innovative BMW ActiveHybrid technology in the world’s first Sports Activity Coupé. On the road, the BMW X6 Concept ActiveHybrid is as agile and enjoyable as it is efficient, leaving conventional hybrids far behind in the driving pleasure stakes.”

The ActiveHybrid technology has a goal of reducing fuel consumption and emissions by 20% over comparable non-hybrid vehicles.  The key parts of the ActiveHybrid system consist of an internal combustion engine and a transmission which will have either one or two electric motors.  Although the X6 is the only current concept, BMW engineers plan to use this technology in future hybrids.

Jaguar XJ

NextAutos.com has published a series of spy photos of a next generation Jaguar sedan.  Although nothing is set in stone yet, the website is theorizing “This next generation XJ could also be the first Jaguar car ever to be offered with a hybrid engine option to go along with an entry-level V-6 mill, several V-8s, as well as diesel choices.”  Although it will likely be years before we see a hybrid Jaguar on the road, it would be a step in the right direction for luxury hybrids.

Although BMW and Jaguar won’t be the first to offer luxury hybrid vehicles, the two companies will be a great addition to the existing luxury hybrid market.  Other luxury lines that I’d like to see enter the market include Audi and Bentley – what I wouldn’t give for a nice new Bentley Continental GT Hybrid.