BMW at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show.
1. Highlights. 3
2. BMW at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show. (Long version) 5
2.1 BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon: Harmony of Dynamism, Function and Comfort. 5
2.2 BMW 1 Series: New Top-of-the-Range 130i and Attractive Extras. 9
2.3 Asia Debut of the BMW Z4 Coupe Concept Car. 11
2.4 BMW EfficientDynamics. 15
2.4.1 High Precision Injection is the world’s first direct fuel injection system offering significant benefits in fuel economy under regular driving conditions. And this technology is based as before on the combustion engine. 15
2.4.2 Brake Energy Regeneration and Automatic Start/Stop: Substantial Improvement of Fuel Economy without Forfeiting that Driving Pleasure so Typical of BMW. 18
2.4.3 BMW Active Hybrid. 20
1. Highlights. At the world’s largest visitor trade fair for cars and motorbikes, BMW is presenting a wide range of product features and innovations. For example, the new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon celebrates its Asian debut in Tokyo. The most versatile 3 Series ever combines a sports-oriented driving machine and, at the same time, a comfortable estate car with a generous feeling of space. The new sports package from BMW M GmbH ensures more individuality and product substance for the 1, 3 and X3 Series. The BMW Z4 Coupe concept study allows a glance into the near future. This vehicle impressively underlines the claim to leadership of the BMW brand name in the disciplines of design, technology and performance. The approximately 1.5 million trade fair visitors from home and abroad, anticipated by the organizers between 19.10. and 6.11.2005, can gain their own impression of the innovation power of the BMW Group. With the BMW X3 EfficientDynamics Concept, the company shows how new potential can be employed for the reduction of consumption and emissions through the intelligent management of energy fluxes. The prototype is designed in such a way that savings potentials can be achieved without foregoing the advantages of a dynamic drive. The BMW Active Hybrid Drive Concept with active transmission, novel injection technology, innovative energy management for brake energy regeneration among other things, are just some of the technological highlights of this study. BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon: Asia Debut in Tokyo. BMW’s sporting but elegant estate car with its outstanding chassis and suspension now offers even more space for both passengers and luggage. The fourth generation of the 3 Series Sports Wagon is even more versatile than ever, entering the market with the BMW 325i Sports Wagon. BMW 1 Series: New Top-of-the-Range Model and M Sports Package. The top-of-the-range model in the 1 Series, boasting a 195 kW/265 hp and 315 Nm/232 lb-ft, 3 liter inline-six, is the supreme athlete in the compact class. And, starting in autumn, all 1 Series will be available with BMW’s Adaptive Headlights, new telematics functions, the M Sports Package and – starting now – a particle filter for the diesel models.
M Sport Package for BMW 1 & 3 Series Sedans and X3 SAV. BMW offers a new M Sport Package as an option for the 1 and 3 Series Sedans as well as the X3 SAV. Among other features, the package includes an M sports chassis, alloy wheels, M Aerodynamic Package with bumpers in the car color; sport seats, M leather steering wheel and M entry trim strips. BMW Z4 Coupe concept study. The BMW Z4 Coupe concept study presents an example of fascinating car construction like no other. The BMW brand name sets new stylistic, conceptual and technical trends. With its superlative performance, the study embodies the classic values of the BMW brand name. BMW EfficientDynamics. High Precision Injection and Brake Energy Regeneration: BMW technology innovations for significantly reduced consumption for all models. • The “High Precision Injection” fuel injection technology, to be introduced by BMW in the years to come, is the first jet-guided direct injection of petrol suitable for mass production. This technology achieves the full savings potential in consumption that cannot be reached by current solutions on the market. • Under the title of Brake Energy Regeneration, the BMW Group introduces the regeneration of energy, which has been released so far in the form of heat from the brake disks, via an intelligent alternator control as well as an automatic engine start/stop system. BMW Active Hybrid to debut in Asia: spontaneous, exhilarating acceleration and economical. For high-performance models, the BMW Group has developed the exemplary drive concept, BMW Active Hybrid, the BMW interpretation of a hybrid drive based on active transmission and Super Caps. 2. BMW at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show. (Long version)
2.1 BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon: Harmony of Dynamism, Function and Comfort. The fourth generation of the highly successful BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon is making its Asia debut at the 39th Motor Show in Tokyo. Sporting, variable and suited for nearly all transport requirements, the new 3 Series Sports Wagon is most definitely the most versatile 3 Series of all time. And, at the same time, it is the world’s most “open” estate car, with the huge panorama roof creating almost the same feeling as in a convertible. Designed for Pure Driving Pleasure and Joy of Life. With its long engine compartment lid and short overhangs, the 3 Series Sports Wagon stands out as a powerful sign of dynamism and agility expressing sheer driving pleasure at its best. Through its proportions and surface language alone, this car is unique within the BMW 3 Series. To harmonize the dominating window areas at the rear of this estate with the dynamic look of a sporting sedan, the roof line tapers down gently to the rear end while the shoulder line rises up slightly to the back of the car. Larger, More Powerful, More Versatile and Faster. BMW’s fourth-generation 3 Series Sports Wagon comes with innovations clearly demonstrating its leading position: Even more powerful engines, a “faster” suspension for maximum joy of motoring, even more detailed solutions for the car’s occupants and luggage, as well as extra comfort all ensuring an even higher standard of product substance. Without forfeiting the compact dimensions so familiar of the 3 Series, the Sports Wagon is longer (+ 42 mm/1.65´´), wider (+ 78 mm/3.07´´), higher (+ 9 mm/0.35´´) and has a longer wheelbase (+ 35 mm/1.38´´) than its predecessor. Clearly, this benefits the car’s occupants, the luggage compartment, and the high standard of passive safety. More Loading Space. Better Loading Ideas. Obviously, the aficionado of the BMW Sports Wagon focuses particularly on the loading space offered by his car. And indeed, measuring the car’s loading space up to the upper edge of the backrest, capacity is up by 25 liters over the previous model to 460 liters or 16.1 cu ft. Folding down the 60 : 40 backrest the driver also benefits from an almost flat floor area offering no less than 1,385 liters or 48.5 cu ft of loading space – 40 liters more than in the former model.
Many detailed improvements in the 3 Series Sports Wagon that give the cus¬tom¬er even more practical benefits are perhaps even more significant in everyday motoring. One example is the optional Luggage Com¬part¬ment Package making the Sports Wagon even more practical and versatile. The highlight in this context is the reversible floor on top of the storage compartment beneath the loading area. A washable cover on the back of this floor panel folds out over the luggage compart¬ment carpet and bumper to avoid scratches and contamination. An¬other feature also provided in this context is the watertight folding box for dirty and wet items. Opting for the ski-bag as a very functional extra, the driver is able to exchange this special module in the rear-seat backrest against other inserts such as a cooling box, whenever required. Like the watertight folding box, nets for various items of luggage, an umbrella holder, bag holders and a 12-volt power takeoff significantly increase the car’s practical value. And since the Sports Wagon comes on puncture-proof runflat tires, the usual recess otherwise used for the spare wheel within the luggage compartment now serves to provide additional storage space. Rear Window with Comfort Opening. Low Loading Sill. Opening separately, the rear window significantly facilitates the pro¬cess of loading and unloading the Sports Wagon as well as the trans¬porta¬tion of long items. The comfort opening function incorporated in the luggage compartment, in turn, automatically moves up the roll cover when opening the rear window to provide quick and convenient access to the loading area. And to make the process of loading the luggage compartment even more convenient, the bumper comes with a deep recess at the rear, with the rear loading edge only 59 centimeters or 23.2´´ high. The Interior: Two Characters in One. The BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon combines two characters in one: It is a sports-oriented driving machine and, at the same time, a comfortable estate car with a generous feeling of space. All functions relevant to motoring requirements are integrated on or directly around the steer¬ing wheel, and the most important driving and comfort information is presented directly in the driver’s field of view. At the same time, the front passenger has optimum access to the comfort zone in the middle of the instrument panel.
BMW iDrive: the Groundbreaking Display and Control Concept. Whenever the customer opts for a navigation system, he will also receive BMW’s iDrive display and control concept. The obvious features distinguishing iDrive at first sight from the “basic” cockpit are the Controller and the Control Monitor beneath the second binnacle. The driver benefits from ergonomically perfect control and display functions tailored to his requirements, with all information and comfort functions likewise being directly accessible to the front passenger. Powerful Six-Cylinders in the Sports Wagon. The new inline-six in the BMW 325i Sports Wagon is the lightest six-cylinder in-line power unit in its class.160 kW/218 hp at 6,500 rpm (+ 19 kW/26 hp) and maximum torque of 250 Nm/184 lb-ft from 2,750 all the way to 4,250 rpm (+ 5 Nm/3.7 lb-ft) boost this superior performer to pole position ahead of its competitors. On the road this means a top speed of 243 km/h or 151 mph, acceleration from 0–100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, and 80–120 km/h in fourth gear in 7.9 seconds. Top Technology for Even Better Driving Dynamics. The new Sports Wagon comes with the most agile suspension in its class. Combined with the engine fitted lengthwise at the front, rear-wheel drive and excellent axle load distribution, BMW’s sports estate once again increases its leadership in the market. The chassis and suspension of the 3 Series Sports Wagon are the same as on the Sedan, but re-tuned to meet the requirements of this particular estate model. The new double-pivot front axle made of aluminum ensures an opti¬mum balance of driving dynamics and motoring comfort. Particularly striking features are the superior tracking stability and the extremely low roll noise. And despite the use of lightweight materials and tech¬nology, the suspension makes a significant contribution to the car’s superior stiffness. The five-link rear suspension also serves to provide spirited agility and sports handling on the road, ensuring precise wheel guidance combined with very good roll comfort. Latest Generation of DSC. DSC Dynamic Stability Control of the latest generation ensures an even higher standard of safety on the road. In the six-cylinder models DSC is further enhanced by additional functions such as Brake Drying, Brake Standby, a Start-Off Assistant and Comfort Stop.
Active Steering: Unique in this Class. The new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon is the only compact sports wagon to offer an active steering system: BMW Active Steering improves the car’s agility and, as a result, its already high standard of driving pleasure. At low speeds the trans¬mission ratio is more direct, at high speeds more indirect, making the entire steering process even easier, safer and more agile. When necessary, Active Steering also supports the driver by correcting the steering angle at the onset of oversteer or understeer. And last but certainly not least, it facilitates everyday driving conditions by reducing the number of turns on the steering wheel when parking and in city traffic. Passive Safety. Intelligent lightweight engineering makes the body of the car even stiffer and stronger: Without putting on any extra weight over the former model, the body of the new 3 Series Sports Wagon is 25 per cent stiffer through the use of upgraded steel and steel molding and forming technologies as well as a truss concept for the car’s load-bearing structure. It almost goes without saying that the 3 Series Sports Wagon is designed and built for the best result in the different European crash tests. Apart from optimized belt systems, the occupant safety concept comes as standard with no less than six airbags: driver, front passenger, hip, thorax and curtain Head Protection System. Optimum child safety is ensured by ISOFIX anchoring points on the front pas¬senger’s seat and the two outer seats at the rear. Perfect Sound Control for Optimum Audio Quality. Featured as standard in the 3 Series Sports Wagon, the stereo system uses the luggage compartment as a resonance chamber and, through its precisely balanced performance, once again sets the standard in this class. The audio system is further enhanced by the optional HiFi system and, of course, by BMW’s HiFi Professional featuring the top-end LOGIC7 concept. Both of these systems offer a level of audio quality never seen before in this segment of the market. 2.2 BMW 1 Series: New Top-of-the-Range 130i and Attractive Extras. BMW proudly presents the new top-of-the-range 1 Series – the 130i – as well as new items of equipment and the new M Sports Pack¬age for all 1 Series at the Tokyo Motor Show. BMW 130i: Sporting Performance in a Top-Class Outfit. The new top-of-the-range 130i, quite literally the “star” of the BMW 1 Series, offers driving pleasure beyond conventional dimensions in the compact class as of autumn 2005. The combination of BMW’s well-known agile suspension and the new 3.0-litre six-cylinder power unit (195 kW/261 hp, 315 Nm/232 lb-ft) with its magnesium engine block and VALVETRONIC creates a winning team in every respect. The BMW 130i appeals to the discerning customer not willing to forego the dynamic character of a luxury performance sedan in the compact class. And so such a customer will enjoy unpretentious superiority in grand style. Seventeen-inch wheels in V-spoke design developed especially for the 130i, the BMW kidney grille with chrome-plated slats and dual tailpipes with chrome-plated rear ends show the connoisseur that this is a particularly powerful and muscu¬lar BMW. The BMW 130i accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph, and fuel con¬sumption in the EU test cycle is a mere 9.0 litres/100 kilometers, equal to 31.4 mpg Imp. New Options for Extra Comfort and Safety. Over and above the new top-of-the-range model, BMW also offers a complete range of new equipment options as of autumn, making every BMW 1 Series a truly unique, one-off driving machine: Examp¬les are the attractive M Sports Package, Adaptive Headlights and – already available today – the diesel particle filter. The BMW Assist telematics service and the mobile BMW Online Internet portal have also been included in the list of options for the BMW 1 Series. Another highlight is BMW’s innovative Connected¬Service concept enabling the BMW 1 Series to register for service at the workshop all by itself by way of a telephone text message, Blue¬tooth technology providing a quick link to various mobile telephones in the BMW 1 Series.
As a result of these features, the BMW 1 Series offers not only a unique driving experience in the compact class, but also takes the lead in the market through its driver assistance systems. Dynamic, Superior, Exciting: the M Sports Package. Starting in September 2005, BMW offers the M Sports Package for all models in the 1 Series. Developed by BMW M, this very special Sports Package appeals to all customers wishing to further refine the sporting and agile philosophy of their 1 Series, underlining the dy¬nam¬ic qualities of the car also in optical terms. In conjunction with M double-spoke light-alloy wheels measuring 17 or 18 inches, as well as different-sized tires front and rear, the spe¬cially tuned M Sports Suspension ensures optimum contact on the ground and perfect grip at all times. The powerful look of the car is highlighted visually by the M Aero¬dy¬namics Package, comprising front and rear air dams as well as side-sills finished in body color. Inside the car sports seats, the BMW individual roof lining in anthra¬cite, a leather steering wheel, a footrest and entry trim strips in BMW M Design as well as special aluminum trim strips clearly bear tes¬ti¬mony to the outstanding sportiness and dynamism of the 1 Series. Top-quality soft nappa leather on the handbrake lever and the extra-short gearshift lever ensuring an even faster and more precise gear¬shift again underlines the supreme standard of visible and tangible quality of all materials inside the car.
2.3 Asia Debut of the BMW Z4 Coupe Concept Car. An Asia debut full of emotion – this is what BMW is presenting at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show: The BMW Z4 Coupe Concept Car, more than any other exhibit, clearly represents and embodies fascinating car construction. Presenting this Concept Car, BMW establishes new trends in terms of design, concepts, and technology. And with its performance truly outstanding in every respect, the Z4 Coupe Concept Car clearly bears out all the classic values of the BMW brand. Considering the consistently growing market for high-profile premium sports cars, finally, the decision to build such an emotional two-seater Sports Coupe as a regular production model is almost obvious. All the Performance of a Thoroughbred Sports Car. The long and sleek engine compartment lid, the passenger compartment moved far to the rear, and the short overhangs front and rear impressively visualize all those classical attributes so typical of BMW: Within the engine bay lurks a longitudinally mounted inline-six conveying its power to the rear axle in the interest of supreme driving dynamics. In conjunction with the car’s long wheelbase and the centre of gravity visibly moved far to the rear, the Coupe right from the start creates the impression of a top-flight athlete surging forward with all his energy. The Concept Car is powered by BMW’s new 3.0-liter inline-six developing a maximum output of 195 kW/265 hp and peak torque of 315 Nm/232 lb-ft. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is expected to take only about 5.7 seconds, with the car’s top speed ending at the 250 km/h (155 mph) mark applicable to BMW’s production models. Equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated suspension control systems, Electrical Power Steering (EPS), as well as a high-performance brake system, the Z4 Coupe Concept Car is able to use all its power safely and reliably. The extremely stiff bodyshell, in turn, ensures driving dynamics of the highest standard, together with a level of above-average crash safety quite unusual in a sports car.
Contrasts, not Compromises: Dynamic also in Design. With its uncompromising technical features focusing on top-level performance, the Z4 Coupe clearly offers driving dynamics of the highest standard. And the car’s designers have been just as uncompromising in giving the car an unparalleled look of dynamic performance right from the start. Contrasts in the car’s design ensure an acute sense of supreme tension – and tension also creates and bears out dynamism in design. The fascinating aesthetic look of the Z4 Coupe Concept Car is based on the highly expressive design language of the BMW Z4 Roadster. Indeed, the interplay of concave and convex surfaces merging in powerful and striking lines gives the body of the car not only unique character, but also a touch of clearly perceptible dynamism even at a standstill. The flowing roofline, in turn, characterizes the BMW Z4 Coupe as a classic coupe with its centre of gravity moved at least visibly to the rear axle. The recess in the middle of the roof again reinforces the sporting look and character of this classic coupe, the combination of these elements giving the car a touch of forward-oriented dynamism from every angle: The BMW Z4 Coupe is low, fast and, at the same time, elegant in its looks. The glazed part of the passenger cell referred to by experts as the “greenhouse” visibly tapers out into the rear end, accentuating the rear wheel arches in a powerful and muscular look. The spoiler designed into the rear lid also ensures optimum aerodynamics and streamlining, with the third brake light integrated beneath the spoiler in the rear lid. A further effect of the spoiler and brake light is the additional emphasis they give to the sheer width of the car’s rear end. The seam around the rear lid extends discreetly along the rear side windows, finally merging into the sill line of the car. As a result, the Z4 Coupe Concept Car retains the sporting look of its rear side windows with that characteristic Hofmeister “kick” even with the rear lid open. And beneath the rear lid, finally, the Z4 offers luggage capacity that is quite remarkable for a sports car of any caliber. Exterior paintwork in Glacier Silver developed exclusively for the Concept Car gives this unique Coupe the silky-matt glossiness of a sculpture made of solid aluminum. Nineteen-inch aluminum wheels, clearly revealing their three dimensions and finished intentionally in a dark color to contrast with the paint of the car, underline the highly focused and powerful expression conveyed by the Z4 Coupe. Made exclusively for this Concept Car, the wheels are a product of the most elaborate casting technology.
Dynamism for Your Senses: the Interior. Paying great attention – and, indeed, love – to detail, BMW’s color and trim designers have created a unique interior tailored in every respect to the BMW Z4 Coupe Concept. The most modern materials in first-class quality are combined with one another exclusively for this Concept Car, offering features and highlights never seen before. Hence, the sophisticated interior points far into the future of interior design with all its potentials. Like the exterior, the interior of the Z4 Coupe Concept uses contrasts instead of compromises to generate the sensation of dynamism and excitement. The use and combination of materials and colors harmonizes the technical and sporting features of the exterior with soft and harmonious elements within the interior, thus creating a world of peacefulness and tranquility. Matt and glossy surfaces form intentional contrasts intermingling with the numerous solid aluminum units inside the car, extending the technical features and fortes of the Z4 Coupe visibly far into the interior. And at the same time soft, top-quality leather in warm brown colors exudes the feeling of being cocooned within this Ultimate Driving Machine. “Cold” high technology and “warm” coziness – in this case this is not a contradiction in terms, but rather a harmonious blend of supreme qualities. Light and Dark Surfaces Interacting with One Another. Black and colored surfaces clearly distinguish the various function levels from one another, the driver perceiving the black surfaces along the car’s upper sill line as a clear delineation from the exterior at the same time creating a pleasant feeling of safety. The contrasts and brightness of the interior convey a clear signal of open-mindedness and grandeur. An expression of space further enhanced by the arrangement of colors on the dashboard and the interior trim. High-Gloss and Woven Leather as Clear Signs of Tradition and Progress. Silky high-gloss leather and classic, timeless woven leather form an intentional contrast to the almost silky suede leather inside the car. The aluminum pedals and the footwells come complete with inserts made of robust burr leather. We also find the same combinations of top-quality materials within the luggage compartment and in the travel luggage integrated therein.
Aluminum – an Experience in Looks and Touch. Over and above sumptuous leather, the interior is characterized throughout by polished and brushed aluminum components in the trim around the door handle, with the rotary knob for the air conditioning, the pedals and the loading sill on the luggage compartment all milled out of one single block of aluminum. So that these solid aluminum components are a genuine experience not only in their looks, but also in their touch. A Concept Car with a Good Potential for Entering the Market. Designed consistently for the sporting and ambitious driver and conceived for active motoring, the BMW Z4 Coupe Concept Study gives its occupants a direct feeling for the road combined with pure driving pleasure. At the same time the most advanced technologies on the drivetrain, suspension and safety system meet all the demands of even the most discerning coupe customer. And last but certainly not least, the Z4 Coupe Concept offers adequate space and all the motoring comfort and convenience even the enthusiastic aficionado of a thoroughbred sports car would not like to miss these days in a sporting two-seater of this caliber.
2.4 BMW EfficientDynamics. 2.4.1 High Precision Injection is the world’s first direct fuel injec¬tion system offering significant benefits in fuel economy under regular driving conditions. And this technology is based as before on the combustion engine. Despite more than 100 years of evolution, the petrol and diesel en¬gine still offer a great potential for further development – which is why it is the primary objective of BMW’s engineers to capitalize on this potential. And it is why the combustion engine remains the foundation for BMW’s ongoing development, improvement of the engine’s all-round efficiency offering significant benefits under all driving conditions, whereas ancillary sys¬tems often allow improvements only in certain, closely defined and limited areas and only under specific conditions. A further point is that no other drive concept is more suitable than the combustion engine in fulfilling the expectations of BMW’s customers in terms of thrilling per¬formance and efficient dynamics. BMW’s drive units today compete right at the top in the market, offering the highest level of technology confirmed year in and year out by many international prizes and awards. In 2005 alone, for example, six out of ten class wins in the renowned Engine of The Year Awards went to BMW, including the highly prestigious Best Overall Engine of the Year Award. BMW now ignites the next level of technology: Introducing a breakthrough technology for lean direct injection of fuel referred to as High Precision Injection, BMW is setting out to solve the conflict of interests in the next few years bet¬ween sporting performance and superior fuel economy, moving up to a standard of excellence never seen before. Indeed, High Precision In¬jection will save up to 10 per cent fuel in the European test cycle and between 5 and 15 per cent under typical customer driving conditions, depending on the route taken and the driver’s style of motoring, over and above BMW’s VALVETRONIC engines already renowned for their outstanding efficiency. High Precision Injection therefore offers for the first time the full ther¬modynamic potential direct fuel injection is able to provide. So far direct fuel injection systems have not been able in practice to provide the advantages in fuel economy originally anticipated. The first technical solutions were therefore completely unable to fulfill the demands made by BMW’s engineers, which is why in 2001 BMW launched an alternative technology for optimum fuel economy, the company’s throttle-free VALVETRONIC engine load control concept, as a standard technology
featured on BMW cars. Proven hundreds of thousands of times in the meantime and now featured worldwide throughout BMW’s entire range of models, VALVETRONIC has de¬finitely turned out to be a lasting, sustainable solution. At the same time BMW has continued to focus carefully and consist¬ently on the development of direct fuel injection – especially be¬cause it was always known that direct fuel injection had the po¬tential to offer even greater benefits than all alternative technologies. BMW is the first car maker in the world to offer High Precision Injection as a solution appropriate for large-scale pro¬duction saving fuel to an extent in practice simply unparalleled by other technologies. A particularly important new feature is that BMW’s High Precision In¬jection no longer requires a specific flow of fuel and air in the com¬bus¬tion chamber to provide the right mixture. Rather, BMW’s engineers are able to prepare the appropriate mixture by means of a stable, conical configuration of the injection jet entering the combustion chamber, the fuel/air mixture then igniting directly in the area of the injection jet. Pre¬cisely this is why experts refer to this technology as jet-guided direct in¬jection as opposed to air-guided or wall-guided injection. The injection valve, configured as a piezo-injector and positioned in the middle between the valves and the spark plug, also at the centre of the combustion chamber represented a simply insurmountable challenge in the past, since both temperatures and pressure levels were too high, above all within the cylinder head with its confined space. Now the reward for the great efforts made by BMW’s engineers is a very robust combustion process functioning efficiently across a wide operating range and therefore far superior to former solutions in the market. Hence, the engine is now able to run on a lean mixture all the way from idle speed to high revs, maintaining a surplus share of air at all times. And precisely this gives the customer significant benefits in terms of fuel economy, marking the big difference between BMW’s so¬lution and other concepts in the market that allow lean burn operation only within a small “window”. A further advantage is that High Precision Injection does not call for any compromises in the design of the cylinder head and pistons de¬priving the car and the driver of the high level of maximum torque and output so typical of BMW.
Introducing High Precision Injection, BMW is once again demonstrates the Company’s leadership in drive technology – especially because it is BMW’s philosophy not to introduce innovations merely for their own sake, but rather only when such innovations are ap¬propriate for the brand and therefore offer genuine customer bene¬fits. BMW High Precision Injection will be launched on the European markets first. Then, with sulphur-free fuel becoming increasingly available as the essential ingredient for this engine with its NOx catalysts, High Precision Injection will also be introduced on other markets one after the other.
2.4.2 Brake Energy Regeneration and Automatic Start/Stop: Substantial Improvement of Fuel Economy without Forfeiting that Driving Pleasure so Typical of BMW. As an outstanding innovation introduced to enhance engine capabilities, High Pre¬cision Injection makes the largest individual contribution to a substantial improvement of fuel economy. But taken together as a “package”, furth¬er improvements also offer additional, substantial advantages in reduc¬ing fuel consumption. In all, therefore, an improvement of fuel economy by up to 10 per cent in the European test cycle and 5–15 per cent in everyday motoring is quite feasible. One feature to be found with all steps and improvements introduced by BMW is that they will be available on numerous models in good time be¬fore the actual introduction of the self-commitment made by ACEA, the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers, to reduce CO2 emissions to 140 grams/km by the year 2008. So through their overall effect throughout BMW’s entire model range, these improvements are able to make a far greater contribution to fuel economy than the use of an even more sophisticated and elaborate package of technologies on only one model. With this in mind, therefore, BMW’s strategy differs significantly from that of other manufacturers. Particularly important highlights of BMW’s Technology Package are Brake Energy Regeneration and Automatic Engine Start/Stop. Indeed, each of these improvements in itself represents a major step in reduc¬ing fuel consumption in situations where so far a lot of energy has remained unused. Under the definition “Brake Energy Regeneration”, BMW is able to re¬cover energy previously lost as heat on the brake discs by introducing an intelligent alternator control concept. Expressed in simple terms, whenever the driver applies the brakes or just takes his foot off the accelerator, the car’s kinetic energy is converted by the alternator into elec¬trical energy and fed into the battery. Stored in this way, the energy is now once again available in the on-board network for driving purposes. Ultimately, this means that the alternator and, accordingly, the car’s combustion engine are both relieved in part of their workload and the system saves fuel in an intelligent manner. Indeed, this even means extra torque on the wheels when accelerating, since less power has to be fed elsewhere to drive the alternator.
All major components required for this purpose are already in place in a modern car and therefore require only minor modification to capitalize in full on the potential available. Hence, only a minor effort is required to save an amount of fuel that would otherwise require far more elaborate and costly systems. So BMW’s solution is a consistent concept for the fu¬ture not only from an ecological, but also from an economical perspec¬tive. And what makes this approach even more attractive is that it does not in any way deprive the driver of that sheer driving pleasure so typical of the brand. The second major component of BMW’s Technology Package is the Automatic Engine Start/Stop System. Being introduced as “Auto Start/Stop”, this system will automatically switch off the engine as soon as the car comes to a standstill, for example at the traffic lights, in an increasingly large number of models in future. Then, as soon as the driver presses down the clutch or operates the accelerator, the engine starts again automatically. This helps to save a significant amount of fuel particularly in city traffic and under stop-and-go conditions, following the simple philosophy that “the engine should only run when it is really needed”. In a similar way to BMW’s intelligent alternator control for regaining brake energy, the Au¬to¬matic Engine Start/Stop System is based in principle on conventional components. The main difference is that Intelligent Software now serves to link the various sensors, the starter and the alternator control with one another, seeking in this way to make the process of switching off and starting the engine as comfortable and reliable as a BMW cus¬tomer – rightly – expects. Consistently applied, the principle of auto¬matic start/stop management is one of the most efficient technologies there can be in terms of its cost-to-benefit ratio.
2.4.3 BMW Active Hybrid. Presenting the Active Hybrid Technology Concept at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show BMW unveils trendsetting drive technology for efficient dynamics based on a very special concept car: The BMW Concept X3 EfficientDynamics combines intelligent technological solutions based on superior drivetrain, transmission and energy storage components. The transparent side-sill trim, for example, offers the beholder a clear view of the copper-colored electrical energy storage units forming part of the BMW Active Hybrid Concept. The big advantage of this concept is that it enhances both the spon¬taneity and the dynamics of a car on even less fuel than before thanks to the regeneration of energy for an additional electrical drive system. The BMW Concept X3 EfficientDynamics is a breakthrough in tech¬nology clearly showing that the dedicated motorist may by all means still enjoy sheer driving pleasure also in future, combining supreme dynamics with equally supreme fuel economy. Energy Management BMW-Style: Supreme Dynamics on Optimum Fuel Economy. The BMW Group defines “hybridization” as the intelligent management of the flow of energy within the car. A hybrid concept BMW-style must naturally retain features typical of BMW such as dynamic performance combined with the optimum use of fuel, it must be suitable for all pur¬poses, and it must be available for the widest possible range of use within BMW’s model series. Precisely this is the philosophy borne out by the technology featured in the BMW Concept X3 EfficientDynamics, standing out clearly from all other hybrid systems already in place or currently being developed: The core element in the case of BMW’s con¬cept is the Active Transmission operating in conjunction with the most efficient combustion engine and, without requiring any additional space, accommodating both the electric motor and the electronic con¬trol unit. And as a further highlight, the entire system is supplied with energy primarily not by a conventional battery, but rather by high-performance capacitors referred to as Super Caps.
Higher Performance, Lower Emissions. Driving calculations based on the BMW Concept X3 EfficientDynamics serving as a high-tech development vehicle confirm the great advant¬ages that BMW’s concept offers the driver: These calculations show that the car accelerates much faster than a comparable production vehicle of the same kind with a conventional drive, the BMW Concept X3 EfficientDynamics accelerating in approximately 6.7 seconds from 0–100 km/h and reaching a top speed of approximately 235 km/h or 146 mph. This superior performance comes with a further reduc¬tion in fuel consumption and, accordingly, emissions in the European driving cycle by approximately 20 per cent. Intelligent management of the flow of energy, therefore, lifts those virtues so typical of BMW to a new, even more fuel-efficient pinnacle. Engine Technology Both Dynamic and Economical All in One: Six-Cylinders with Jet-Guided Direct Fuel Injection. This synthesis of economy, ecology and driving pleasure is made pos¬sible by the intelligent combination of the combustion engine and the electric motor. The main source of power, reflecting an old and proven BMW tradition, is of course the inline-six BMW engine in its most advanced and sophisticated configuration: a fuel power unit with High Precision Injection, i.e. jet-guided direct fuel injection, ensuring a significant increase in efficiency at higher torque and power over the current generation of power units. And indeed, jet-guided direct fuel injection is not the only special feature, since the six-cylinder will be the first engine completely without V-belts, ancillaries such as the steering servo pump, the brake servo and the air conditioning compressor being driven by their own electric motors. The electrical power generator in the Active Transmission, finally, takes over the conventional functions of the alternator. The Big Advantage of the Electric Motor: Superior Torque Right from the Start. Additional use of an electric motor allows the exploitation of specific phy¬sical benefits: Although an all-electric drive system is inferior to a com¬bustion drive principle, the electric motor nevertheless offers interesting fea¬tures in conjunction with the combustion engine: While the com¬bustion engine, due to its inherent system and underlying technology, is able to develop torque only as of a certain minimum speed, the elec¬tric motor generates its full torque right from the start, that is from standstill. A further advantage is that the electric motor develops a re¬latively high level of torque even at low power, making the electric motor the right kind of drive technology for setting off smoothly and directly, while the combustion engine always requires a clutch to bridge the difference in engine speed to the wheels initially at a standstill be¬fore setting off.
With increasing engine speed, the output of both drive systems in¬creases a long and almost linear curve. The only drawback is that the electric motor required to develop more power also requires a corres¬pondingly greater energy supply, where the weight of bat¬teries or fuel cells quickly reaches practical limits and restrictions. So with BMW’s system the torque generated by the electric motor decreases on an over-proportional curve as soon as the electric motor has reach¬ed maximum output when accelerating. A Powerful Team: Combustion Engine Complete With a Boost Ef¬fect. With all this in mind, one thing was clear to BMW’s development spe¬cialists right from the start: The relative overall benefit of an electric motor is greatest at low running speeds, since it is here that a com¬bustion engine develops only part of its full torque. So instead of work¬ing painstakingly on the torque of the combustion engine, BMW’s engineers were able to develop a concept using an electric motor to boost the overall level of torque. This, in practice, ensures full power right from the start at low speeds. BMW Know-How at Its Best: the Active Transmission. BMW’s development specialists have examined a wide range of pos¬sible combinations bringing together the electric motor and the com¬bustion engine to form one common drive system – and in the process finding a solution most appropriate for BMW: the Active Transmission featured in the BMW Concept X3 EfficientDynamics. Within the same compact dimensions as the automatic transmission otherwise fitted as standard, Active Transmission comprises the six driving gears, the elec¬tric motor together with two clutches, and the car’s complete con¬trol and power electronics. So BMW’s specialists have succeeded in developing a concept housing the complete additional drive system within the space available for the hydraulic torque converter and the converter lock-up clutch, without affecting or enlarging the package in any way. To reach this goal, BMW’s engineers have developed an extremely compact, weight-optimized electrical motor housed on the input shaft leading into the transmission. Laid out for maximum output of 30 kW or 41 bhp, this electric motor offers the advantage of being able to briefly develop maximum output of up to 60 kW or 82 bhp without requiring any additional features or equipment. Clearly, this makes the electric motor most suitable as an additional boosting unit and, at the same time, allows compact dimensions. The synchronous electrical motor inciden¬tally operates at an operating voltage of 100–200 Volt, equal to the usual band¬width of system voltage in the integrated power electronics.
Electric Motor with Two Clutches Replacing the Torque Converter. Positioning the electric motor in the direct flow of power between the combustion engine and the transmission offers another big advantage: First, the electric motor is able to use the usual transmission ratios available; second, it can perform a whole range of different drive func¬tions with different power and torque requirements. One example is that with a conventional automatic transmission a hydraulic torque converter acts as the set-off clutch, the converter increasing engine torque on the first few meters and therefore – in simple terms – feeding more power to the wheels than the engine would actually deliver. Now the compact electric motor is able to provide exactly the same effect. The electric motor on the Active Transmission therefore assumes the space and function of both a torque converter and a lock-up clutch, sup¬plemented in its operation by two oil bath clutch systems: The first set of clutch plates connects the combustion engine with the electric motor, the second links the electric motor with the transmission. Again, the objective is to fit the entire configuration including the power electronics into the transmission housing in terms of both length and diameter, thus being relatively easy to fit in lieu of a conventional BMW automatic transmission. Indeed, this compact design and con¬figuration makes the BMW Active Transmission quite unique in the worldwide development of hybrid drive systems. Bundled Energy: Setting off with the Electric Motor, Accelerating with the Six-Cylinder. The integrated hardware is nevertheless just half of BMW’s Active Hy¬brid concept. The other half lies in the system’s sophisticated operating strategy with its particular know-how. The first point is that the driver is no longer required to start the com¬bustion engine first. Rather, all he has to do is press down the accelerator and the car will start accelerate immediately. In this case the first clutch between the combustion engine and the electric motor is open in the Active Transmission, while the second clutch links the motor and the transmission unit. So the car sets off under electric power, without the slightest noise. Then, once the car has started to move, the first clutch gently engages and the combustion engine will fire. At this point the electric motor also acts as the starter for the combustion engine, the intelligent operating strategy ensuring that the entire process is smooth, comfortable, and free of any jolts.
Up to 600 Newton-Meters (442 lb-ft): The Muscle of a Diesel, the Responsiveness of a Petrol Engine. Given all the features mentioned, the energy strategy of BMW’s trend¬setting Hybrid Concept combines spontaneous power and per¬formance with optimum use of energy: Whenever the driver applies the brakes until the car reaches a standstill, the combustion engine is automatic¬ally switched off, thus not consuming any fuel and not generating any emissions. Then, as soon as the driver presses down the accelerator again, the engine starts again automatically. Should the driver then continue to put his foot down, the 400 Newton-meter (295 lb-ft) electric motor will start initially to accelerate the car with its maximum output of up to 60 kW or 82 hp. When accelerating moderately, the system intention¬ally does without the combustion engine, with the vehicle being driven by the electric motor alone. Hence, the combustion engine will only cut in and drive the car when accelerating faster or when reaching a higher speed on the road. The combustion engine is started at the same time as the electric mo¬tor whenever required for accelerating quickly from a standstill. In this case the torque of the two drive systems is combined at low speeds, developing up to 600 Newton-meters or 442 lb-ft of torque at engine speeds below 1,500 rpm – certainly a new dimension for a petrol engine even exceeding the supreme power and muscle developed by BMW’s three-liter diesel. The electric motor then continues to support the combustion engine up to a speed of approximately 3,000 rpm, when it is either de¬activated without generating any further power or switched to its charge function, depending on the car’s current driving dynamics. More Power in All Six Gears. The Active Transmission Concept not only offers significant advantages when setting off and accelerating, but also serves as an additional “booster” in each of the six automatic transmission gears, since the electric motor is positioned upstream of the transmission and is able to cut in whenever the combustion engine is running at low speeds. With the driver’s commands and power requirements being carefully shared out among the two drive units, the additional power coming from the electric motor is applied only very briefly when accelerating, as under normal driving conditions. Indeed, BMW’s development specialists have determined that in most cases the electric motor is required for only about three seconds to provide significant boost and save a sub¬stantial amount of fuel at the same time.
Driving Dynamics at Its Best: Accelerating Fast, Charging Quickly. A further advantage of these generally short operating periods of the electric motor is that the electric storage system is required to provide only a small amount of energy. And the electrical power supply unit is re-charged immediately after energy has been withdrawn, that is prior to the next power supply process. This is done primarily by switching over the electric motor to the alternator mode above all under applica¬tion of the brakes and with the car in overrun. In this case the system naturally charges not only the high-voltage energy storage unit, but also – via a converter – the conventional 12 V on-board battery. To avoid drag losses, the clutch between the com¬bustion engine and the electric motor opens up in this case, enabling the Active Transmission to immediately re-gain kinetic energy other¬wise simply con¬verted into heat and lost in a conventional car. Being fed back into the system as electrical energy, this power cycle is re¬ferred to by experts as “recuperation”. Truly Unique: Recharging the Electric Power Source Every Time You Press Down the Brake Pedal. Whenever the driver presses down the accelerator to accelerate in stop-and- go traffic, the electrical power supply units are discharged but then re-charged again just as quickly as soon as the driver applies the brakes. It is particularly under such dynamic driving conditions with ongoing, significant changes in load that the fuel consumption of a combustion engine increases significantly. BMW Active Hybrid, in turn, offers the driver two benefits in one in this regard: even greater driving dynamics on a lot less fuel. A further option is to re-charge the energy storage unit whenever re¬quired by raising the load points in the combustion engine: The control strategy of the BMW Active Hybrid Concept is laid out consistently never to deliver more electrical energy than can be re-charged very quickly even under the most unfavorable conditions. In other words, the driver will never experience a loss of power resulting from an empty electrical storage unit. Instead, he can rely on BMW Active Hybrid at all times, knowing that driving conditions will always remain consistently smooth and superior. Optimum Energy Storage for Dynamic Motoring: Super Caps. Whenever looking at electrical energy storage systems, one initially always thinks of batteries. In reality, however, the self-charging battery is most unsuitable for the driving conditions and requirements typically encountered with BMW Active Hybrid, involving very dynamic perform¬ance with fast charging and discharging processes. Particularly this style of motoring and operation calls for the use of energy storage sys¬tems with the highest possible level of power density. And precisely this is where double-layer capacitors also
referred to as Super Caps are absolutely unbeatable in comparison with the electrochemical battery. A Super Cap offers specific power density of approximately 15 kilowatts per kilogram of weight, compared to about 1.3 kW/kg in the case of a nickel/metal hydride battery, meaning that a Super Cap outperforms a self-charging battery in this respect by a factor of more than ten. This superiority is then maintained throughout the usual driving mode, the Super Cap offering a power density of more than 5 kW/kg compared with not even 0.5 kW/kg provided by a battery. So given the same weight, voltage and power supply, a double-layer capacitor offers a level of efficiency of 98 per cent compared with 84 per cent provided by an NiMH battery. Broadside Power: Copper Red Super Caps in the Side-Sills. The Super Caps are clearly visible on the BMW Concept X3 Effi¬cientDynamics, with tubes glowing copper red integrated in transparent side-sills. This point of installation ensures optimum results in terms of the car’s lateral and vertical dynamics as well as the space available. Together with the Active Transmission, the Super Caps represent the key elements of the Concept Car. They are able to take up a very high level of electrical energy within fractions of a second without any losses worth mentioning, delivering that energy just as quickly and efficiently. So far Super Caps have been used above all in wind power systems as maintenance-free energy storage units with an unlimited service life. The Super Caps featured in the X3 Concept Car measure approxi¬mately 50 millimeters or not quite 2.0´´ in diameter and generate an overall capacity of 190 kW. Internal Resistance Reduced to a Minimum: Switching over from Charge to Discharge without the Slightest Loss of Power. The only disadvantage of Super Caps versus the electrochemical bat¬tery is their far lower energy density. However, even this drawback is of only theoretical significance, since the energy density offered by an el¬ectrochemical battery today is generally used only to a very small ex¬tent on account of the battery’s service life: An NiMH battery generates approximately 5 watt-hours per kilogram, as opposed to roughly 4 watt-hours/kg in the case of a Super Cap. Another factor is that batteries have a high level of interior resistance dramatically increasing even further as they are discharged. A high level of interior resistance, however, means substantial loss of energy when charging, with a lot of the energy regained through application of the brakes thus being lost and the charge process lasting longer. The interior resistance of a Super Cap, by contrast, is virtually zero, regardless of the current charge level. In practice this means that the cycle from charging to discharging and back again may be repeated as often as required within a very short time, Super Caps thus offering all the requirements for use in stop-and-go traffic, as already described.
The overall capacity of the Super Caps of 190 kW is quite sufficient also for a car driven very fast and dynam¬ic¬ally. And at the same time the driver is able to drive the car under elec¬tric power alone, for example when parking or maneuvering, Super Caps again providing adequate energy. BMW Hybrid Cars: Fifteen Years of Research and Development. The BMW Group has been working on hybrid drive ever since the early ’90s. In particular, BMW’s specialists have focused on the development of a disc-shaped electric motor suitable for automotive use and now fea¬tured in the X3 Concept Car. Moreover, in 1991, BMW registered an “Electric Transmission” for pa¬tenting, and even built various prototypes. Given the high weight of the batteries and electrical drive components, the system was however not able to meet the great demands made by BMW of an automotive con¬cept suitable for the market and regular use.
Source : http://www.theautochannel.com
(10/16/2005)
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