Tags >> Hybrid
Sep 29

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5

Ty Whiting Posted by: Ty Whiting in Latest |
Tagged in: Willoughby Hills , Performance , Ohio , MPG , Hybrid , Green , Fuel Efficient , Classic BMW , BMW

 

 

Press release:

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – September 29,2011… BMW today announced the introduction of its newest hybrid, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. Based on the BMW 535i Sedan, the ActiveHybrid 5 brings together BMW’s 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine, an electric drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission for the first time. The latest generation of BMW ActiveHybrid technology also adds precisely controlled energy management to the mix. All of which gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 an exceptional balance of performance and fuel economy for a benchmark performance/luxury sedan. Its drive system generates combined output of 335 hp (DIN), allows the car to be driven on electric power alone up to 37 mph (60 km/h), and accelerates the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds (preliminary).  The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 will arrive in US showrooms in March 2012.

The 300 hp inline six with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is the same engine renowned for its free-revving capability, pulling power and efficiency in the BMW 535i. The electric motor develops 55 hp and is supplied with energy by a high-performance lithium-ion battery housed in the trunk.

A harmonious blend of power from the two drive systems ensures that the 
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 boasts not only the sportiest performance in its market segment but also a double-digit percentage improvement in fuel economy over the BMW 535i based on preliminary results. Its full-hybrid drive system enables driving on purely electric power which means emission-free driving in urban conditions.

In order to fully exploit the potential of the BMW ActiveHybrid technology, the power electronics in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 use a host of technologies to ensure the drive system runs at peak efficiency. The high-performance lithium-ion battery is charged when the car is coasting or braking. The electric motor acts as a generator feeding energy into the high-voltage battery. By contrast, under acceleration the electric motor takes on a boost function. Here, it assists the inline six by generating an extra burst of power, lending the sedan’s sporty driving character a noticeably sharper edge.

Integrated into the standard Driving Dynamics Control is an ECO PRO mode. It provides a relaxed and fuel-efficient driving style by tailoring the driving systems for maximum efficiency, including making more frequent use of all-electric mode.  In ECO PRO mode, the combustion engine can be switched off and fully decoupled while coasting at speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h). This coasting mode combines comfortable driving with optimum utilisation of the kinetic energy already generated. To avoid periods with the engine running at idle – at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic, for example – the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is equipped with a hybrid start-stop function. Plus, the power electronics in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 are linked up with the standard navigation system. This allows proactive analysis of driving conditions based on the selected route. This enables the drive components to be primed to deliver maximum efficiency (the effect may vary according to the quality of the available navigation data). All the hybrid-specific components of the drive technology and energy management systems have been developed specially for use in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. 

Innovative combination: award-winning six-cylinder in-line engine, newly developed electric drive system.

This is the first time that a BMW inline six has been mated to a 
BMW ActiveHybrid system. The 3.0-liter engine, which develops 300 hp and peak torque of 300 lb-ft, has won the international Engine of the Year Award two years running. The BMW TwinPower Turbo technology of the six-cylinder engine combines a twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Direct Injection, Double VANOS variable valve timing and VALVETRONIC intake control.

The synchronous electric motor of the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is integrated into the housing of the eight-speed automatic transmission, saving space. The interplay between the electric motor and gearbox is controlled by a clutch.  The motor’s operating temperature is regulated by the combustion engine’s cooling system. The electric drive system develops 55 hp and makes 155 lb-ft of torque available from rest. The motor is supplied with energy by a high-performance lithium-ion battery, specially developed for the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. The high-voltage battery is encased in a special high-strength housing and positioned between the wheel arches in the trunk, providing it with optimum protection. It consists of 96 cells, has its own cooling system and offers usable energy capacity of 675 Wh.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 has both a conventional 14-volt power supply and a high-voltage supply with an operating voltage of 317 volts. They are linked by a voltage transformer which ensures that maximum electric energy can be used to enhance driving dynamics and comfort in any operating phase. Like the electric motor, the air conditioning compressor is also fed with power from the lithium-ion battery exclusively via the high-voltage supply. This ensures a pleasant interior climate, even when the combustion engine is switched off – i.e. when the car is at a standstill, operating purely on electric power or in coasting mode. In addition, the stationary climate control function can be used to cool the interior before the engine is started.

Intelligently controlled hybrid technology: unprecedented precision for maximum efficiency.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 can operate in all-electric mode up to a speed of 37 mph (60 km/h), for zero emissions in town. The lithium-ion high-voltage battery can store sufficient energy to give an all-electric driving range of up to approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) at an average speed of 22 mph (35 km/h).

The internal combustion engine is only started when the driver requires more power: it is then engaged automatically. The electric motor provides a “boost” function to supplement the engine when accelerating. Maximum combined power is 335 hp (DIN), with maximum torque of 330 lb-ft. Under combined internal combustion/electric power, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 delivers a 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds (preliminary).

Hybrid-specific Auto Start-Stop function and coasting mode.

The specially designed Hybrid Auto Start-Stop function provides seamless operation when the vehicle is stopped in traffic – after the internal combustion engine is shut-off, the automatic climate control continues to run off the lithium-ion battery. When the driver releases the brake, the vehicle will restart on either the electric motor alone or the electric motor and the inline six, depending on the high-voltage battery’s current charge level and on how much power the driver wants.

Another innovation being pioneered in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is the coasting mode.  It further improves efficiency by shutting the internal combustion engine down not only when the vehicle is stationary, or when driving in town, but also while coasting at higher speeds. In the BMW ActiveHybrid 5, this coasting mode is available at any speed up to 100 mph (160 km/h). Coasting mode switches off the internal combustion engine and disconnects it from the drive shaft. From this point on, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 continues moving soundlessly, with zero emissions and with no engine braking effect. In coasting mode, as with all-electric mode for urban driving, all safety and comfort functions remain fully operational.

Intelligent energy management reads the road ahead.

The advanced power electronics coordinate the operation of the internal combustion engine and electric motor proactively based on the selected driving route for even more efficient energy management in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. The power electronics are integrated with the standard navigation system, which means they can access and analyze data indicating changes in certain road conditions based on the route ahead, or driver requirements. From this analysis, all powertrain systems and the on-board electronics are managed appropriately so that energy can be used as needed or stored in preparation for what is coming up in order to make the most efficient possible use of the available energy.

Factors that may cause a change in powertrain operating strategy include the topography of the route and speed limits. For example, if the selected route indicates that a hilly stretch is coming up soon, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 can invest all the high-voltage battery’s electrical energy in providing supplementary driving power for the up-hill without concern about depleting the battery,  knowing that the battery will be recharged “at no cost” during the subsequent descent. On longer downhill sections the electric motor’s generator function can be enlisted to recharge the high-voltage battery with no loss of speed. The operating strategy can also be managed so as to ensure that the high-voltage battery is as fully charged as possible when nearing the end of the journey, thereby increasing the potential electric driving range in anticipation of lower driving speeds.

The operating status of the powertrain components is shown in displays, unique to the ActiveHybrid 5, in the instrument cluster and in the Control Display. As well as the energy flow and energy recuperation display, these include an additional gauge next to the tachometer which shows the boost effect being provided by the electric motor during acceleration. A display in the iDrive interface provides a variety of information – for example on the battery’s current charge level and the power-sharing between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor during the course of a journey.

State-of-the-art hybrid technology, typical BMW 5 Series: 
highest standards of driving dynamics, safety and comfort.

The chassis specifications of the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 are pure BMW 5 Series.  They include double-wishbone front and integral rear suspensions, Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering, a high-performance brake system and 18-inch alloy wheels. Dynamic Damper Control, featuring electronically controlled shock absorbers, is available as an option. The Dynamic Stability Control system, which stabilizes the vehicle by individually applying the brakes and reducing engine power, also incorporates functions such as Dynamic Traction Control, the Anti-lock Braking System, Cornering Brake Control, Dynamic Brake Control, Brake Assist, Brake Fade Compensation, Brake Drying and Start-Off Assistant.

The hybrid-specific safety features, which protect the high-voltage lithium-ion battery and the power electronics, are integrated into the BMW 5 Series’ existing active and passive safety systems. In a collision, high-strength structural components and large deformation zones help to keep impact forces away from the passenger cell and also from the hybrid drive components. Other standard safety systems on the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 include front and side airbags, side curtain head airbags for front and rear passengers, three-point inertia-reel belts on all seats, belt force limiters and belt latch tensioners on the front seats and ISOFIX child seat attachments in the rear. BMW Assist includes enhanced Automatic Collision Notification. In the event of a collision severe enough to cause an airbag to deploy, eACN immediately calls the emergency call center from the car’s embedded phone. It not only transmits the car’s location but also an assessment of the risk of severe injury to the people inside, based on a ground-breaking injury assessment algorithm. This assessment is provided to first responders before they even arrive at the scene. 

In the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 the standard Driving Dynamics Control switch offers not only Sport+, Sport and Comfort set-ups (as well as Comfort+ mode if the optional Dynamic Damper Control is specified), but also the ECO PRO mode. As an alternative to the standard 8-speed automatic transmission, an 8-speed sport automatic with faster shift times is available.

A number of BMW ConnectedDrive features are available for the 
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 including Park Distance Control, a rear-view camera, Surround View, High-Beam Assistant, Parking Assistant, Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition and Head-Up Display. Innovative technologies also allow in-car integration of smartphones and music players. The BMW Apps option offers unprecedented integration of the Apple iPhone.

To further enhance comfort and individuality, the standard 4-zone automatic climate control and Navigation System can be supplemented by options such as active seats, front ventilated seats, Comfort Access, the Smart Opener for the trunk, and high-end audio and rear entertainment systems.

BMW ActiveHybrid 5: The only hybrid that is also a BMW 5 Series.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 features newly developed hybrid components that are combined with a BMW TwinPower Turbo inline six for the first time, and innovative functions for improved efficiency as well as driving enjoyment. At the same time it broaches yet another market segment, taking BMW’s hybrid development work another step forward.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 arrives at US BMW centers in March 2012.

SEE CLASSIC BMW FOR MORE INFO:

bmwsales@driveclassic.com or 440-585-9990

 

Jul 30

BMW Reveals i3 & i8 Concepts

Ty Whiting Posted by: Ty Whiting in Latest |
Tagged in: MPG , i8 , i3 , Hybrid , Green , Fuel , Electric , BMWi , BMWBlog , BMW , Alternative

 

i8

 

Above is the i8 and below is the i3.  Both are vehicles in the BMWi sub-brand.

i3

 

For more info visit our friends at BMWBlog.com

Mar 18

BMW is Poised for a Resurgence

Ty Whiting Posted by: Ty Whiting in Latest |

 

PRESS RELEASE:


Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you can see here: we are creating the future. And, we are on a path to profitable growth.

  • In line with our strategy Number ONE, we moved the company’s strategic realignment forward during the 2009 economic crisis.
  • We have sharpened our profile as a sustainable company.
  • We have launched attractive new models.
  • We have invested – in our sites, in new engine technologies and in future projects.
  • We have cut costs significantly. Today, we are a leaner and more powerful company than ever before.
  • We have created a new and emotional design language for our cars.
  • Our technology package, Efficient Dynamics, is the best in the industry, combining maximum performance with minimum fuel consumption.

 

All these points demonstrate that we have approached the economic crisis as an opportunity and have capitalized on it.

In 2007, we set in motion our strategy Number ONE with a clear vision: In 2020, we will be the leading provider of premium products and premium services for individual mobility.

An important milestone in this effort is meeting our profitability targets for 2012. In the current business year 2010, we will take an important step in reaching this milestone:

  • We plan to post Group earnings significantly above the 2009 level.
  • We expect growth in the solid one-digit percentage range by selling over 1.3 million cars.

 

Today I would like to highlight the following:

1.)    What did we do to succeed in 2009?

2.)    Why is the BMW Group on the right track towards future growth?

 

Dr. Reithofer with Vision Efficient DynamicsWhen we met here last year I told you that 2009 would be a transition year with two priorities: crisis management in the short term, and investing in our future success in the long term.

Today our fixed costs are lower than in 2005. We also managed to cut material costs dramatically, thanks to our ability to increase scalability efficiencies in our processes. These changes have been implemented in collaboration with our suppliers and partners.

We have always made continuous quality improvement a priority. From our perspective, quality is a key aspect of our customer focus. As a premium car company, we constantly strive to improve standards.

Despite the economic crisis, we continued to invest in our future. First off, we invested in new technologies such as hybrid- and electric-motors as well as Efficient Dynamics, an area in which we managed to extend our lead further. We also have invested in our production plants:

 

  • In 2009 and 2010, more than one billion Euros is being invested in our German plants.
  • We will have invested around 750 million US-Dollars in our Spartanburg plant from 2008 through 2010.
  • Growth markets will increasingly be found further east. One of our business principles is that production follows the market. In November 2009, we announced our strong commitment to China as a production location. We are going to expand our capacities in Shenyang from a little over 41,000 to 100,000 units. Together with our partner, we will invest a total of almost 600 million Euros. As a result, we will be able to produce up to 300,000 cars at the Shenyang plant in the long term. In January and February 2010 alone, we doubled our sales volume in China compared to the previous year. Customer focus is the core of our basic principles at the BMW Group. Chinese BMW owners mostly ride with a chauffeur. This is why, as early as this year, we will present a long version of the new BMW 5 Series exclusively developed for the Chinese market.

 

We took the right actions to steer the company successfully through a challenging year. You are already familiar with the key data:

 

  • In 2009, we posted positive pre-tax Group earnings of 
    413 million Euros, up 17.7 percent from the previous year.
  • All in all, we sold close to 1.29 million cars. And it should be noted that national incentives such as the scrappage program in Germany only had a marginal effect on sales.
  • We stood our ground as the world’s leading manufacturer of premium cars and further increased our market share in the premium segment.
  • Our sales volume increased significantly in January and February 2010. Due to various model changes, March will be weaker than the previous months.
  • A few remarks about BMW Motorrad:
    In 2009, we delivered a total of 87,300 BMW motorcycles to customers, down 14 percent from 2008. Current sales figures show an upward trend in sales – with an increase of almost 25 percent from February 2009.

Our shareholders and investors have remained loyal to us despite the difficult and volatile situation and we believe shareholders should share in our company’s performance. The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board will propose a dividend for the same amount as 2008 at the Annual General Meeting.

The positive development of BMW ordinary shares, which were traded 47 percent higher at year-end than in the beginning of 2009, demonstrates the confidence the capital market has in the company’s future. In 2009, we have once again showed that BMW stock is a sound, long-term investment.

 

Moving onto the second topic:

Why is the BMW Group on the right track for future success?

We are really putting the pedal to the metal this year when it comes to new products. From October 2009 to December 2010, we will launch 17 new 
or updated BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce models:

  • The BMW 3 Series Coupe and the 3 Series Convertible, as well as the BMW X5 have been updated.
  • Starting this spring, customers will be able to purchase the BMW brand’s CO2 champion: the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition. This car uses only 4.1 liters per 100 kilometers and emits only 109 grams of CO2 per kilometer. In addition, it is a truly athletic car with 163 Horse Power. No other premium car company can offer customers more performance with fewer emissions without ever compromising on sheer driving pleasure.
  • The Countryman, due out in September, will be the next addition to the MINI family and the first MINI with four-wheel drive.
  • And Rolls-Royce will provide new customer segments with the Ghost.

 

2011 5 Series

*European model shown.
The new BMW 5 Series Sedan is the start of a new era for the BMW Group.

The 5 Series is not only an image driver, but also a strong contributor to Group sales and revenue. It is with this new model that we were able to harness all the newly gained efficiencies in our production process and modular system.

The new 520d is a technological masterpiece: This car’s four-cylinder engine needs only 5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers and emits only 132 grams CO2 per kilometer, while offering the typical BMW performance with 184 horse power – making the 520d the world’s most efficient luxury sedan.

Next year, the 5 Series will also be available as a full hybrid. Those who prefer not to wait can buy the first BMW hybrid models as early as April of this year, namely: the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 Series. They represent the state-of-the-art BMW ActiveHybrid technology. In the future, we will select the optimal hybrid solution for each model from a modular system.

Developing innovations is part of our DNA, and this is not going to change. Our innovative strength helps us tap new growth potential for the company. Again and again, we present our customers with new offerings.

Two examples:

  • When we launched the BMW X5 about 10 years ago, it was the first premium SAV. As an example of its success, both the X5 and X6 outsold all competitors combined in 2009.
  • And with MINI, we have successfully established a premium brand in the small car segment.

MINI is not a miniature version of another model series. MINI is and will remain the Original – with a signature face, a unique tradition and over 1.5 million fans around the world.

 

In the future, we will generate growth both in the large model segments and in the compact and sub-compact model segments. We will launch more MINI and BMW models and variants – also in the small car segment. This segment is expected to grow further. And we will take advantage of this opportunity. We are exploring the possibility of developing a joint architecture for the front and four-wheel drive systems of these cars. In other words: There will be front-wheel drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future. We all know that the cost structure in the small car segment is different from that of the larger model classes. We intend to grow profitably in this segment as well.

Because there is one element that applies to the entire process chain: We will increasingly apply modular manufacturing kits to various models and brands. This approach enables us to cut costs further – without compromising on top quality.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Premium is also defined through sustainability. As we see it, there are three components to this: an economic, an ecological, and a social factor.

Without financial success, we are not able to invest in eco-friendly technologies. Our products need to be profitable in order for us to create new technologies like e-mobility.

Customers are currently testing the MINI E for us. Some drivers have told me that they would love to keep their MINI E. Our annual report actually includes a section on customers and their experiences with the MINI E. BMW will follow suit in 2011 with a customer test fleet based on the concept study “BMW Concept ActiveE”. This test fleet will be built at the Leipzig plant.

Thanks to Efficient Dynamics, we have accomplished much more than our competitors. In other words: Efficient Dynamics represents Sheer Driving Pleasure 2.0.The average emission of our European new-car fleet is only 150 grams per kilometer, equaling a fuel consumption of 5.9 liters per 100 kilometers. And what’s even more amazing is the performance our cars achieve with these low emissions: 170 Horse Power or 125 kW.

And we plan to reduce our fleet’s CO2-emissions worldwide by at least another 25 percent between 2008 and 2020.

However, ecological responsibility as an automaker is only met if we maintain a sustainable production system as well. 2009 marked the fifth consecutive year that the BMW Group was named the world’s most sustainable automaker by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

In the superior discipline of yacht racing, the team “BMW ORACLE Racing” won the world’s oldest sports trophy – the America’s Cup.

We are also involved in the Olympic Games:

  • BMW will be the automotive partner of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London. Thanks to Efficient Dynamics and our sustainability approach, the Sustainability Club chose the BMW Group as the fleet supplier for the next games in London.
  • As a National Supporter, we are also assisting the Cities of Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in their bid for the 2018 Winter Games. As a sustainable company, the BMW Group wants to have its share in making the games sustainable.

 

BMW will continue to be a sport-inspired brand. We at the BMW Group continue to deliver maximum performance, tackle new challenges and sharpen our competitive edge.

Premium constitutes a special obligation to assume responsibility as a good Corporate Citizen.

  • In 2009, we hired a total of almost 300 new staff worldwide.
  • More than 1,000 young people started their apprenticeship with 
    BMW AG.
  • This year, we will recruit about 500 university graduates, primarily experts in the new technologies such as hybrid or e-mobility as well as experts in sales and financial services.
  • We have set up a junior executive program to ensure our future supply of talented managers. The program’s focus is on international experiences, social leadership competences and a solid understanding of economic and social aspects.
  • At the same time, we support teenagers who have not been able to find an apprenticeship position. The BMW Group offers these teenagers pre-vocational training.
  • An important aspect of our strategy Number ONE is defining our leadership approach. I am convinced that outstanding leadership is the decisive factor that separates a good company from a great one. Simply put: Today, we at the BMW Group are a much stronger and more focused management team.


Ladies and Gentlemen,

Growth will pick up in key automotive markets such as the US and China this year. Nevertheless, the effects of the crisis will persist and continue to define our business for quite some time. Although the competition will remain fierce, we at the BMW Group are all motivated and ready to rise to the challenge.

We have two priorities in 2010: Profitability and shaping our future.

Here is a perfect example: The BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics:

  • This is sheer driving pleasure at 3.76 liters per 100 kilometers and 356 Horse Power.  
  • This is the sophisticated combination of different drive systems.  
  • This is future-oriented design and can only be made by BMW. 

 

And you can be sure: Our Megacity Vehicle will also be fascinating.

This innovative car will be built at our Leipzig plant, our future Center for E-Mobility Production. Two Bavarian locations are also involved in this project:

  • Wackersdorf will manufacture carbon fiber in a joint venture with the SGL Group.
  • The carbon fiber will then be sent to the Landshut plant to be turned into CFK parts – from reinforced carbon fiber – for the Megacity Vehicle.

 

We consider carbon fiber a cutting-edge material for the auto industry. Our efforts will make sustainable mobility possible in urban environments. In line with our corporate philosophy, the energy demand for producing carbon fiber will come from hydropower. We are currently looking for a suitable location in North America to set up our joint venture plant.

We believe that a company’s global footprint and its ethical principles will play an increasingly important role in the way people do business. Acting sustainably now will pay off in the future. The BMW Group is clearly leading the way.

In early March, the BMW Group was ranked by Fortune Magazine as the most admired automotive company in the world. This distinction was given to us because we are not only the leading premium automaker with regard to sales volume, but we also managed to use our resources efficiently and reduce our fleet emissions significantly in a very short period of time.

You can be certain: We have a clear path forward.

We will remain an independent company that takes a long-term approach and acts in the best interest of all stakeholders. This year marks the turning point toward long-term profitability as we remain focused on achieving our 2012 targets.

Thank you very much!

 

Mar 02

BMW Announces 5 Series Hybrid Concept

Ty Whiting Posted by: Ty Whiting in Latest |
Tagged in: Hybrid , efficient dynamics , BMW , 5 Series

 

Munich: The new concept car offers a particularly good rendition of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan in all its dynamic, efficient and innovative qualities, at the same time representing the ongoing development of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 with their drivetrain technology already in production.

The drive system featured in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid consists of a straight-six gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo technology, eight-speed automatic transmission, and electric drive. Integration of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in a sedan already extremely efficient with its “conventional” combustion engine reduces both fuel consumption and emissions once again by more than 10 per cent. At the same time the electric motor offers a boost function, supporting the gasoline engine in generating particularly dynamic drive power for an even more sporting driving experience in the car.

5 Series ActiveHybrid ConceptIntelligent energy management likewise serves to enhance the efficiency of the overall system, its unique functions ensuring appropriate control and management of all energy paths within the car and appropriate interaction of the drivetrain components precisely adjusted to driving conditions.

The drivetrain technology featured in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid allows all-electric, zero-emission motoring in city traffic. At the same time a special hybrid-based Auto Start Stop function offers additional efficiency by consistently switching off the combustion engine when stopping at the traffic lights, a road junction, or in congested traffic. Optimised comfort, finally, is provided by the auxiliary climate control function already featured in the BMW ActiveHybrid 7.

 

Special development of ActiveHybrid technology as part of BMW EfficientDynamics.  

The concept car based on the new BMW 5 Series Sedan for the first time presents the next generation of BMW ActiveHybrid technology, a special solution exclusive to BMW for intelligent interaction of the combustion engine and electric drive focused specifically on the requirements made of a dynamic sedan in the upper midrange segment.

Taking this approach, BMW is consistently continuing the development of hybrid technology according to a modular principle (best of hybrid), thus offering the optimum rendition of BMW ActiveHybrid technology for each concept and vehicle segment.

In accordance with the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy, this ensures highly effective and practical use of hybrid technology for the reduction of both fuel consumption and emissions.

 

Also in the BMW Series Sedan segment: the BMW among hybrids combines supreme dynamics with maximum efficiency.  

Straight Six Twin TurboThe combustion engine is supported in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid by an electrical drive system developed specifically for this model and arranged in compact dimensions between the straight-six combustion engine and the automatic transmission. Drawing its energy from a high-voltage battery at the back of the car, the electric motor develops maximum output of 40 kW.

An automatic clutch connects the gasoline engine and the electric motors.

Due to the particularly high level of torque generated from the start through the electric motors, the interaction of the two drive systems ensures extremely spontaneous and dynamic acceleration whenever required.

 

Perfectly integrated, precisely controlled: high-voltage battery supplying power to both the electric motor and the on-board network.  

In overrun and when applying the brakes, the electric drive systems acts as a generator developing electric power fed into the high-voltage battery. This converts kinetic energy otherwise wasted as heat in the brake system into electric power saved for subsequent use.

Such energy obtained without any further consumption of fuel may then be used to generate drive power or operate electrical functions in the car.

This principle is the same as that of Brake Energy Regeneration already applied in BMW’s current production models, with the level of electrical energy generated by the electric motor being significantly greater and the increase in efficiency correspondingly higher.

The high-voltage battery likewise developed for this specific concept is fitted within a high-strength special case near the rear axle of the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid. This leads to an optimum position in terms of both safety and harmonious weight distribution. An integrated control unit permanently analyses the charge status of the high-voltage battery and controls both the battery charge process by way of Brake Energy Regeneration and the system cooling process. Apart from the electric motor, the high-voltage battery also delivers electric power to the car’s on-board network. Among other things, this allows efficient operation of the car’s auxiliary climate control activated whenever required by a remote control function to cool down the car’s interior significantly even before starting the engine.

Convenient use of the all-electric driving mode and the Auto Start Stop function is likewise guaranteed in this way, with all electrical functions such as the audio system, climate control or navigation remaining fully available even with the combustion engine switched off.

 

Unique: intelligent energy management with advance analysis of driving conditions.  

BMW ActiveHybrid technology provides its unique potential in terms of both efficiency and driving dynamics under all kinds of conditions and throughout a wide load range.

Unlike conventional hybrid cars whose extra efficiency is largely limited to city traffic, both the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7, by combining the combustion engine and the electric motor, are able to offer significantly lower fuel consumption and emission ratings also at higher speeds. This is made possible by technically sophisticated power electronics masterminding the interaction of the combustion engine and electric motor and thus optimising the overall efficiency of the drive system as a whole.

The BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid once again raises the range of functions provided by such power electronics to an even higher standard. As an example, the energy contained in the fuel and provided by the high-voltage battery may now be used even more specifically and efficiently to provide that Sheer Driving Pleasure so typical of BMW.

Taking additional factors into account, the interaction of the two drive units in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid is tailored to the driver’s requirements and current driving conditions with maximum precision. At the same time the power electronics also control the operation of the car’s ancillary units and comfort functions, again in the interest of maximum efficiency.

The range and diversity of parameters taken into account by the system is indeed quite unique in the automobile, just as the number of functions controlled in this way. A high level of all-round networking allows the power electronics to provide intelligent energy management, thus optimising the operating strategy of the entire vehicle under all conditions.

A further unique feature of energy management in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid is the car’s ability to adjust its operating strategy not just to current, but also to upcoming driving conditions. To do this the power electronics from the start evaluate data indicating a possible change in exterior conditions or the driver’s wishes and prepare the components in the drivetrain as well as the car’s electronic system for a possible change in requirements.

To analyse driving conditions up front, the system uses data provided by engine and chassis management as well as the sensors in the driver assistance systems on board the car. Data saved in the navigation system on the route chosen by the driver likewise goes into the final calculation, enabling the system to forecast driving conditions on the route directly ahead. Then, proceeding from this analysis, the car is coordinated in advance and the optimum use of all systems serves to use the energy available with maximum efficiency.

Should the system determine, for example, that the autobahn ahead is about to lead downhill, the charge level of the high-voltage battery is intelligently controlled in advance to regain brake energy upfront with maximum efficiency.

Similarly, the high-voltage battery may be fully charged in good time before the driver reaches his destination, enabling the system to switch off the combustion engine at an early point and change to all-electric drive along the final stretch of road. Indeed, this forward-looking function is able to extend the cruising range on electric power by up to 30%.

 

The BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid: the future of driving pleasure and efficiency in the upper midrange segment.  

Optimised to an even higher standard in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid, the drivetrain and control systems underline the great significance of hybrid technology as a cornerstone of BMW EfficientDynamics. Looking at a new generation of hybrid technology from BMW featured in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid therefore offers particularly attractive perspectives, the ongoing development of BMW ActiveHybrid technology serving to provide substantial progress in all areas leading to a harmonious all-round concept with distinctive features typical of the brand.

The BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid is therefore more dynamic, efficient and more intelligent than conventional representatives of this drive technology, standing out clearly as the BMW among hybrid cars in this segment.

BMW AutoBlog Tags

0% 0.9% 1 M Coupe 1 M CP 1 Series 1 Series M Coupe 2010 2011 2011 535 2011 5series 2012 2012 1 series 2012 bmw 2013 bmw 3 2013 3 Series 328i 335i 335is 3er 4 cylinder 4 Cylinders 4-cylinder 5 GT 5 Series 5-series 500 HP 535i 550i 6 cylinder 6 Series 650i 6th generation 7 Series 740i 740Li Access your Account ActiveE ALG Alpina Alternative Android Annual Accounts APEAL Apple Apple iPad APR art car art car auction Audi Auto autoshow Best Resale Value bimmer Blackberry Blackberry Website BMW BMW 2800 CS bmw auction BMW Championship BMW ConnectedDrive BMW Delivery BMW Euro Delivery BMW European Delivery BMW FS BMW i BMW Iphone App BMW M Division BMW M1 bmw m5 BMW Motorsport BMW NA BMWBlog BMWi BMWNA Brainne McLaughlin broadcast car & driver Carl Quintanilla Chat China Christiaan Conover Classic Auto Group Classic BMW Classic Iphone App Cleveland CNBC CNN College Conquest Convertible Coupe Crash Test Create an Account Deal Deal of the day Delicious Detroit Detroit Auto Show Diesel Digg discounts Dow Jones Dr. Norbert Reithofer Drive for Team USA driving obsession E-mail Earnings Efficiency efficient dynamics Electric Electric Car Engines Euro Euros EV event F10 F25 F30 Facebook Facelift Fortune frank stella Frozen Black Fuel Fuel Economy Fuel Efficient Gavi's German Germany golf Graduates Gran Coupe Green gti HD Hybrid i3 i8 incentives internet iPhone IPhone Website iPod iTunes IX Center JD Power Jeremy Clarkson JMK BMW Josh Lewis Joy KBB KBB.com LCI lease LED Life Cycle Impulse Limited Edition live Loan Luxry Luxury M Coupe M division M Sport M3 M5 m5 concept Manny Antunes MINI E Mobile Website mobility Modern Mojave Most Admired Motorcycle motorsport MP3 Player MPG Murray MySpace NAIAS NCAP new 5-series new bmw North Carolina northeast Ohio Nothing Down November sales Nurburgring NY Autoshow Ohio Olympics Owners Choice Paris Auto Show Parts Performance PGA Tour Podcast powertrain system sales press conference Pricing Pull Ahead Pull-Ahead recording resale RIM Roadside Assistance Roadster Roundel Table RoundelTable Saab Sabine SAC safety sale sales Schmitz Sedan September Service show Smartphone Website South Carolina Spartanburg Spertanburg Sport Activity Coupe Sports car Stig sustainabilty Sustainabilty Indexes taxi Teen driving school texting Time Vincent Tire pressure Top Gear topgear TPM Turbo Ty Whiting Ultimate Driving Machine Unscripted USA v8 bmw engine Videos Webcam Wikipedia Willoughby Hills X1 X3 X5 X6 Year-end Youtube Z4 zero percent apr

AutoBlog Blogger

Contact Classic BMW

We respond in minutes.