If there ever was a perfect case for the argument of forced competition, this is it. Just a few days after Mercedes-Benz announced that it was putting hybrid versions of it’s S-Class for sale BMW retaliated by announcing it too had a hybrid version of it’s newest flagship sedan in route to dealer showrooms.

Dubbed the 7-Series ActiveHybrid, this new version of BMW’s uber-sedan will be housed in an all new genaration body which debuted not too long ago. Powering the new 7 Series ActiveHybrid is a newly developed drivetrain that combines BMW’s twin turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 407 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, with an AC electric motor capable of serving up 20 hp and 155 lb-ft. BMW officials also say it returns 15 percent better fuel consumption than the new 750i. As on the standard model, the 7 Series ActiveHybrid gets brake regeneration and stop/start systems which help take advantage of every last resource to improve economy.

While this does leave a huge question mark on the future of the Hydrogen 7-Series, it serves as a reminder that sometimes companies are forced into competition, even when their original strategy calls for something different. A hybrid 7-Series only sees the gasoline engine being dragged on that much further.

Above: Where have we seen this before… Oh yeah, it used to say hydrogen on the side of it, what happened to that??