Full Hybrid Power comes to the 5 Series Sedan

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 Peugeot Citroen Officially launch Electrification joint venture

One year after the two partners signed a memorandum of understanding, the joint venture formed by the BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroën to develop and manufacture hybrid and drive technology is now up and running.

The launch of the joint venture "BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification" creates the necessary conditions for the swift implementation of their common goals. Production of hybrid components for the electrification of both companies' models is scheduled to begin in 2015. BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification is aimed at becoming one of the leading players in the field of electric powertrains within a few years, as well as a pacesetter on the road to the mobility of the future. Through the creation of an open technology platform, the joint venture intends to provide crucial support for the European industry as it structures itself in this domain.

"The BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroën are following a joint path with clear and ambitious goals," explained the Chairman of the Managing Board of BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification Wolfgang Güllich. "We want our company to be one of the leading suppliers in the field of electric powertrains over the next years." To achieve this, the BMW Group and PSA are investing more than 100 million euros in the joint venture. Around 400 employees will work at the new Research and Development Centre in Munich by the end of 2011: The main profiles required are engineers specialised in electro-mobility and electronics.

The hybrid components designed there will be manufactured at the facility in Mulhouse in France, which will have around 250 employees once ramp-up is complete. The development and production spectrum of BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification comprises all relevant components for electric powertrains, such as high-voltage batteries, electric motors, generators, power electronics, loading units and energy management software. As part of its independent activities, the joint venture will create an open technology platform that will allow it to integrate suppliers into the development and purchasing process and sell the hybrid components it produces to third parties.

"We will set new standards for tomorrow's clean mobility with our agility, efficiency, and world class know-how in electrification systems" mentioned Jean Leflour, Managing Director of BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification.

The queue starts for 700 BMW Active E leases [video]

BMW is about to launch another electric-vehicle field test, this time a two-year lease on the Active E, an electrified version of the two-door BMW 1 Series coupe. BMW claims the Active E has a 100-mile range and will lease the EV for $499 per month, plus a $2,250 down payment. BMW also requires a home charging station from its partner AeroViroment..

The first such trial was for the electric Mini Cooper, the Mini E, which leased for $850 per month. Those Minis provided key development information and most have since been returned to BMW.

The Active E lease will be available for a limited number of customers in the metropolitan areas surrounding Boston, Hartford, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento.

The Active E has a 6.6-kWh onboard charger, which facilitates faster charging than most other EVs. Charge times are said to be four to five hours.

We found the conventional 1 Series a thoroughly fun-to-drive car with terrific handling and body control. The instant torque from the electric drive may add to the fun factor. Unlike the Mini E, the 1 doesn’t sacrifice its rear seat to make room for the drive battery.

For BMW, the Active E field trial will supply valuable customer feedback that should influence BMW’s upcoming dedicated electric line that includes the i3 and i8, both shown around the auto-show circuit in concept-car form. The i3 will use exactly the same hardware as the Active E when it debuts in 2013. Deliveries of the Active E begin in early 2012.

Seven Auto Makers Agree to single-port DC fast charging standard

Recognizing the importance of a single international approach for DC fast charging, Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen have agreed on the combined charging system as an international standardized approach to charge electric vehicles (EV) in Europe and the United States.

The system is a combined charging approach integrating all charging scenarios into one vehicle inlet/charging connector and uses identical ways for the vehicle to communicate with the charging station. This allows electric vehicles from Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen can share the same fast charging stations.

The seven auto manufacturers believe the development of a common charging approach is good for customers, the industry and charging infrastructure providers. Standardization will reduce build complexity for manufacturers, accelerate the installation of common systems internationally and most importantly, improve the ownership experience for EV drivers.

The endorsement of the combined charging system was based on reviews and analysis of existing charging strategies, the ergonomics of the connector and the preferences of customers in both the United States and Europe. The harmonized approach – across both continents and all manufacturers - will provide a framework for future infrastructure planning as well as a communication protocol to assist in the integration of electric vehicles into the smart grids.

The seven auto manufacturers also agreed to use HomePlug Green Phy as the communication protocol. This approach will also facilitate integration of the electric vehicle into future smart grid applications.

Automakers point to the success of Level 1 and Level 2 (for 220V charging in the U.S.) as an example of how standardization will increase the adoption of electric vehicles and increase customer satisfaction. The harmonized electric vehicle charging solution is backward compatible with the J1772 connector standard in the U.S. Backward compatibility also has been achieved in Europe where the system is based on the IEC 62196 Type 2. The approval of the J1772 standard has given electric vehicle owners the comfort of knowing they can charge at all Level 2 charging stations. Prior to standardization an EV owner had no way of knowing if the charge port they were pulling up to was compatible with their vehicle.

BMW opens new Moses Lake carbon fiber factory

BMW's new carbon fiber factory in the United States has brought advanced, lightweight materials developed in Formula One racing one step closer to consumers' driveways.

The German carmaker opened the ultra-modern production plant in Moses Lake, Washington state, on Thursday to supply carbon fiber for its highly anticipated, all-electric i3 Concept car.

Built through a 2009 joint venture with materials specialist SGL Carbon, the $100 million (70 million euro) facility is powered entirely by locally generated hydroelecricity. It will produce up to 3,000 metric tons of carbon fiber annually.

"The facility has been erected in only 10 months and will be the most cost efficient carbon fiber plant using modern technologies," said Andreas Wüllner, Managing Director of SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers.

The fibers produced in Moses Lake will be woven into lightweight fabrics at a second joint venture site in Wackersdorf, Germany, before being formed into carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) parts and components at the BMW plant in Landshut. From there they will be transported to Leipzig, where series production of the i3 is due to start in 2013.

Electric era

The i3 urban vehicle will be the first model in BMW's new i sub-brand of lightweight, energy efficient models. The larger and sportier i8 is expected to be released in 2014.

"Carbon fibers are a key construction material for the automotive industry of the 21st century and will change the way we develop and build cars," BMW chief executive Norbert Reithofer said in a statement.

"It's a revolution in automotive design," Klaus Draeger, the company's head of development, said earlier.

Fiber of the future

Because of its lightweight properties and proven strength, carbon fiber has long been used in the construction of high-performance racing cars and aircraft.

When carbon fibers are woven, they weigh in around 50 percent lighter than steel and roughly 30 percent lighter than aluminum, making CFRP the lightest material that can be used in a car body without sacrificing safety.

The i3's carbon fiber passenger shell makes it 250 to 350 kilograms lighter than a conventional electric car. BMW said that means more dynamic handling and improved range.

Other benefits of CFRP include corrosion resistance and resilience in severe climate conditions. The material shows little change in shape and size regardless of temperature fluctuations.

"Carbon is the fiber of the future," said Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, an automotive expert at the University Duisburg-Essen. "The heavy use in Formula One racing cars is an indicator that it will filter down to the mass market once the cost of production becomes more affordable. BMW is the closest to achieving solutions on a large scale."

Daimler & Volkswagen follow suit

BMW is not alone in the race to make carbon fiber vehicles easily available to consumers. In April of 2010 Daimler followed BMW's lead by forming a partnership with Toray Industries, a Japanese carbon producer. The group plans to begin mass production of carbon parts for the Mercedes-Benz brand in 2012 at a plant outside Stuttgart, Germany.

With no new plans to mass produce carbon fiber technology in car bodies, Daimler's efforts have focused on high end of the auto market. In 2004, Daimler began offering the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR with a carbon-fiber body to match its ceramic disc brakes and 377,000-euro price tag. About 2,000 of the vehicles were sold before production ceased in 2009.

Last, but certainly not least, Volkswagen became the latest German automaker to invest in a major carbon fiber producer when it announced in February of this year that it had purchased an 8.18 percent stake in SGL Carbon. While Volkswagen stated that it does not intend to increase its stake in SGL Carbon, the news certainly came as a surprise to BMW, which had previously bought into the company.

Volkswagen has been pouring resources into its XL1 concept vehicle, which debuted at this year's Qatar Motor show. With a prototype that can travel 100 kilometers on just one liter of diesel fuel, the vehicle is fitted with a lightweight passenger shell constructed of carbon fiber.

Despite the innovations and progress being made in carbon fiber production, Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management in Bergisch-Gladbach, said carmakers were yet to answer one major question: "A full carbon body could be quite difficult to repair. What will be key is if there's a strategy to deal with that issue."

BMW face shortage of skilled EV engineers [video]

BMW are vying to find enough wunderkinder to make their electric vehicles.

An aging workforce and declining enrollment in technical studies caused the shortfall of available engineers in their home country to rise to an all-time high of about 77,000 last month, according to the VDI German engineering association.

BMW aims to hire 800 people at its factory in Leipzig, as part of an expansion for the production of the i3 electric city car and the i8 hybrid super car.

"Until about two years ago, we had hardly heard of companies in the region struggling to find skilled staff," Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung said.

The shortage may threaten the competitiveness of BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen AG and Daimler AG as they expand with electric vehicles. A third of Germany's large companies now consider the skilled-worker shortage as a business risk.

BMW i3 EV caught being filmed for a commercial [video]

Youtuber jprothe saw the BMW i3 Electric Vehicle being filmed today on Wacker Drive in Chicago.

The i3 is built around a new chassis concept called LifeDrive, which divides the vehicle into sections for Life, the passenger compartment, and Drive, the powertrain and battery. For the i3, the bottom half of the car is the Drive section, and is made mostly of lightweight aluminum; the Life passenger compartment sits on top and is built from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Employing these lightweight materials keeps the i3's weight down to just 2750 pounds. The Nissan Leaf, for comparison, tips the scales at 3366 pounds.

Mini E UK trials reveal ease of EV use

Almost all of the 138 participants who took part in the Mini E trials, said they’d consider buying an electric car.

These are the findings, which were published today by Mini after a yearlong field test in which 62 members of the public and 76 pool users were given Mini E's and the results collated. The findings have also highlighted that the average cost per mile came in at under 2p, the equivalent of £60 per six months charge on average.

Four out of five people said that 80 per cent of their trips could be covered by the Mini E, rising to 90 per cent of trips with the addition of rear seats and a bigger boot.

Over the one-year period, over 250,000 miles were recorded on UK roads, with the average distance driven coming in at just under 30 miles per day. Interestingly, virtually all the car’s recharging took place at home at an average of 2.9 times per week.

The results also found that a full charge enabled the Mini E to travel a distance of 90 miles, although cold weather affected its range, according to 84 per cent of owners.

Driver enjoyment was a big factor noted by the results, too. With its 201bhp power figure, all participants agreed that “electric vehicles are fun to drive,” thanks in part to the car’s fast pick-up and quick accelaration”.

Finally, the findings have revealed that only one week was needed by people to adapt to the peculiarities of driving an EV, including charging, regenerative braking and near silence during driving.

The test results will be used to help develop the all-new BMW i3 - an electric city car due in 2013 – as well as the 2011 BMW ActiveE, a four-seater based on the current 1-series.

The BMW i3 EV Concept & i8 Hybrid Concept [video]

More promotional video of the i3 EV Concept & i8 Hybrid Concept provided by BMW.

BMW i8 Concept: First Look

BMW's first plug-in hybrid vehicle will focus not just in saving the earth, but also on satisfying its driver's need for speed. Like the Chevrolet Volt, the BMW i8 concept combines a traditional gasoline engine with an electric drivetrain. According to BMW, the i8 can be as fuel-efficient as the best hybrid cars, while still delivering sports car-like performance.

An electric motor drives the front wheels, while a traditional gasoline engine drives the rears. The i8 can thus act as a front-, rear-, or all-wheel-drive car depending on which power sources are running. An "energy tunnel" containing the battery and drivetrain electronics runs down the middle of the vehicle, connecting the two axles.

The electric motor and engine peak at a combined 349 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. That means the 0-to-62-mph sprint requires just 4.6 seconds. Top speed is electronically restricted to 155 mph. BMW says overall economy in European testing will be 2.7 liters per 100 kilometers, or 87 mpg. In real-world driving, the company expects the i8 to return mileage of 33 to 47 mpg. As gloating company executives note, no other production car can return the same combination of performance and economy.

The front-mounted electric motor is the same unit used in the i3 electric-car concept, but it is slightly modified to offer 128 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Because the i8 also has a gasoline engine, the electric motor's battery pack is significantly smaller than that in the i3. The i8 has an all-electric driving range of about 20 miles and can be fully charged in just under two hours. The electric motor can also recharge the battery, acting as a "through the road" hybrid system that can bolster the engine's output.

At the rear axle, a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine produces 220 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. BMW would only tell us that the engine is mated to an "automatic" transmission with "enough" speeds. It may be a traditional automatic or perhaps a dual-clutch unit. However, BMW doesn't think the transmission in the i8 is very important to discuss as the electric motor provides plenty of torque regardless of the gasoline engine's operating speed or gear.

i8 Concept. The electric motor in the i8 Concept has been adopted from the BMW i3 Concept and modified for use in the i8 Concept’s plug-in hybrid power train—i.e., for operation with a smaller battery pack and in conjunction with an internal combustion engine. It drives the front axle, while a 164 kW/220 hp turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine developing up to 300 N·m (221 lb-ft) of torque drives the rear axle. Together, the two drive units take the vehicle to a governed top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Like the electric motor, the 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine was developed entirely in-house by the BMW Group.

A high-voltage generator attached to the internal combustion engine can generate power for recharging the batteries. This option is only used to increase the range of the vehicle while out on the road, and is not intended as a substitute for stationary recharging at an electric power socket.

Locating the electric motor at the front axle of the BMW i8 Concept optimizes braking energy recuperation, since the front axle is where greater braking forces are developed due to the dynamic wheel load shift when decelerating. Whenever there is a chance to recuperate braking energy, intelligent driving dynamics systems make the most of it, taking into account traction conditions and driving situation, without compromising stability and dynamics, BMW says. This allows very high levels of braking energy recuperation even in the wet or in snow. Depending on requirements, braking is initially provided by the recuperation function and only when more powerful braking is required is the conventional brake system engaged.

BMW i3 Concept: First Look

BMW has finally given us our first official, undisguised look at its futuristic, all-electric city car. For now the i3 is still labeled a concept, but this car is much more complete than the MegaCity concept that preceded it. The four-passenger i3 concept is perhaps the most advanced take on electric cars yet, and draws on BMW's experience with a fleet of 600 Mini E and 1000 BMW ActiveE electric cars. Unlike those cars, however, which were traditional cars converted to electric drive, the i3 was developed from the ground up to accommodate electric propulsion.

The i3 is built around a new chassis concept called LifeDrive, which divides the vehicle into sections for Life, the passenger compartment, and Drive, the powertrain and battery. For the i3, the bottom half of the car is the Drive section, and is made mostly of lightweight aluminum; the Life passenger compartment sits on top and is built from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Employing these lightweight materials keeps the i3's weight down to just 2750 pounds. The Nissan Leaf, for comparison, tips the scales at 3366 pounds.

BMW says that CFRP is as strong as but 50 percent lighter than steel. The entire Life CFRP shell weighs less than 220 pounds. Better yet, it never rusts and reportedly offers better protection than steel in a crash. CFRP only forms the Life sections' shell, however, as replaceable plastic panels form the i3's true bodywork. The Life section slots on top of the Drive chassis and is attached with strong adhesives and four bolts.

The i3's electric motor was developed by BMW because the company wanted tight control over the feel and performance of its powertrains. It is said to be 40 percent smaller than the similar motor used in the Mini E. It is rated at 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, and has a single-speed transmission. The motor is located directly above the rear axle, making the i3 a rear-wheel-drive vehicle and also keeping the front-rear weight balance even.

The motor is fed by a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack that is mounted under the floor of the passenger compartment. This means there is no intrusion or transmission tunnel in the cabin, and also helps keep the i3's center of gravity low for better handling and stability. BMW wouldn't specify the battery's storage capacity.

Though the maximum range per charge is rated at 140 miles, BMW admits real-world i3 mileage will be between 80 and 100 miles -- approximately on par with the range offered by the Nissan Leaf. Data from the Mini E trials taught BMW that a battery range of 74 to 93 miles would satisfy 90 percent of all drivers. The i3 concept can reach 62 mph in 7.9 seconds, and its top speed is limited to 93 mph because BMW says higher velocities would drain the battery too quickly.

A full charge is said to take just six hours via a standard European outlet, while an optional fast-charger yields an 80-percent charge in just one hour. Charge times on American 120-volt outlets will likely be longer.

i3 Concept. The electric motor of the BMW i3 Concept is designed primarily for operation in an urban environment. Already tested in a pre-production version in the BMW ActiveE, the version of this permanently excited hybrid synchronous motor which will be used in the BMW i3 Concept has undergone further optimization in terms of weight and driveability.

A single-speed gearbox accelerates the BMW i3 Concept to an electronically governed 150 km/h (93 mph). The BMW i3 Concept accomplishes 0-60 km/h (37 mph) in less than four seconds and 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in under eight seconds. The motor is located directly above the drive axle, for optimal and typical BMW rear-wheel-drive handling characteristics.

With the dual accelerator/decelerator function of the accelerator pedal approximately 75% of all braking operations around town can be performed by energy recuperation which generates a braking effect, BMW says. Intensive use of this energy recuperation function of the electric motor can increase the driving range by up to 20 per cent. Only when the driver’s braking request exceeds a given level is the conventional brake system of the BMW i3 Concept engaged as well.

A coasting facility makes this single-pedal control of acceleration and braking using just the accelerator even more user-friendly. The BMW i3 Concept features a distinct “neutral” position of the accelerator pedal—i.e. rather than switching straight to recuperation when the driver eases off the pedal, the electric motor’s zero torque control keeps the drive train disconnected as long as the pedal is in this position. The vehicle now coasts without consuming power, driven by its own kinetic energy. Used as part of a proactive driving style, this coasting mode is a way to increase the driving range even further.

BMW developed the motor and power electronics for the i3 Concept entirely in-house. The space requirements of the electric motor used in the BMW i3 Concept have been reduced by 40% compared with the motor used in the MINI E. This compact drive unit is mounted over the rear axle, together with the power electronics, transmission and differential, causing no loss of interior space.

The BMW i3 Concept’s battery system has also undergone detailed optimization which reduces the extent to which external factors can influence the vehicle’s power and driving range. An integrated liquid cooling system keeps the battery at its optimal operating temperature at all times, helping to boost the performance and life expectancy of the cells. The climate/heating system cools the fluid circulating in the battery housing via a heat exchanger.

If necessary, in winter, this fluid can also be heated in order to bring the battery up to its optimal operating temperature of around 20 °C. The battery can be fully recharged in six hours at a standard power socket. If a high-speed charger is used, an 80% charge can be achieved in just one hour.

Optional range extender. The BMW i3 Concept offers an optional Range Extender, the REx, which allows the electric driving range to be increased. REx, a small gasoline engine, drives a generator which maintains the battery charge level and therefore extends the range of the electric motor. As soon as the battery charge reaches a critical level, REx supplies the necessary energy to get the driver the rest of the way to the destination.

The compact size of the electric motor used in the BMW i3 Concept means there is room left over to accommodate REx and its attached generator over the rear axle, alongside the drive components. The gasoline engine complies with the SULEV standard. To reduce fuel consumption to a minimum, REx also features such functions as Automatic Start-Stop and other intelligent operating strategies.

How Its Made: Production of the BMW ActiveE begins [video]

Just a few years ago, the zero-emission vehicle seemed little more than a dream to Mirco Schwarze, a team leader at the BMW plant in Leipzig.

Now, just a couple of years later, the BMW ActiveE is rolling off the assembly line in Leipzig. More information at

Youtube

BMW i3 EV Spied During Cold Weather Testing [video]

The first electric vehicle to launch under the new BMW i sub-brand was once again spied during cold weather testing. BMW i3 will make its official debut in 2013, but a concept version is expected to be unveiled later this year.

At launch, Megacity will be offered in a two-door, four-seat configuration. The car will measure around 157 inches. In the future, the MCV sub-brand will include two additional models.
First one due in 2015 and dubbed ICV, short Intracity Vehicle, will be a two-door, two-seat car. In 2017, UCV – Urban Commuter Vehicle -will extend the length of the initial MCV and has four doors while hosting five people.

BMW Megacity is powered by a lithium-ion battery with 35 kWh of capacity placed below the vehicle’s floor. Rear-wheels approach remains in BMW’s philosophy and the power is sent to the rear wheels through a rear-mounted 150-hp electric motor. Driving range is expected to top at 100 miles and top speed at 95 mph.

The price of the i3 is not yet decided, but BMW sources mentioned in the past that the i3 will be above 40,000 euros in Europe.

BMW also said is looking at different channels to put these cars on the street, one of them is the Zipcar-like approach, a car sharing process more and more popular around the world.

BMW i8 prototype caught test driving in the snow [video]

Here are the first spyshots of the BMW i8, flagship of the new BMW i sub-brand, conducting cold weather testing. According to Scott26, it’s undergoing drivetrain testing and some details on the car seen here will still be subject to change.

The i8 was previously intended to be powered by a The combination of a 3-cylinder turbo diesel with a hybrid synchronous motor at the front axle and a full engine at the rear axle to enable an overall system output of 241 kW/328 bhp. But, according to R&D chief Klaus Draeger, the diesel motor will now be replaced by a traditional gasoline engine in order to appeal to the widest potential sales market.

Tom Cruise to Drive Electric Car in New ‘Mission Impossible'

Tom Cruise will drive the electric/diesel hybrid i8 in new Mission Impossible film The Ghost Protocol.

Celebs have been driving hybrids for years, and now that some of the luxury brands are going electric, BMW’s chic new i8 plug-in hybrid has been given a new role: movie star.

The electric hybrid will serve as Tom Cruise‘s car in the new Mission Impossible film installment, The Ghost Protocol. And if you’re agent Ethan Hunt (played by Cruise), this is a car you’d definitely want on your side. The BMW i8 promises to go from 0-60 mph in five seconds, is powered by a 328-horsepower diesel-electric drivetrain, has a top speed of 155 mph, and fuel efficiency of 62.5 miles per gallon— in other words, the perfect getaway car.

Action films like the Mission Impossible franchise tend to make cars a vital part of the film, so it’s great to see that this latest movie will be promoting and showcasing an eco-friendly one.

Granted, the i8 is estimated to cost you upwards of $160k, so the average movie watcher won’t be able to run out and invest in one themselves. But part of the stigma surrounding electric cars is that they simply aren’t as capable as a regular car, and hopefully a film like this can dispel that!

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept [video]

At the Geneva Auto Show this year, German manufacturer BMW will be bringing a new interpretation of the Vision concept shown in 2009 in Frankfurt. This time, however, the concept has been created not as an extension of a power train, but as an extension of the drivers themselves.

To be used as a show-and-tell platform for BMW's finest technologies in terms of “current and future methods of mobile networking,” packed with eye-catching, mind-blowing infotainment systems, the car will also benefit from a very special unveiling during the Geneva event.

Among the technologies developed by BMW for the concept, one of the most important is the new interpretation of the Head-Up Display (HUD). Build to render the information in 3D, it is capable of projecting information about the route precisely onto the location of a possible turn-off - in relation to the actual field of view.

Working in conjunction with the display is the freely programmable instrument cluster, which is used to complement the projections generated by the HUD. Also built to render the information in 3D, the cluster is said to be able to enhance the impact of the data relayed to the driver by means of graphics.

In the Vision ConnectedDrive concept, the passenger too can feel he is part of the car. The Passenger Information Display can be used by the wannabe co-pilot to evaluate information or address details for the navigation system. The funny side of the ride is insured by means of an Emotional Browser, which can gather data about the surroundings, including people, mood or location.

On the outside of the car, an array of sensors embedded into the headlights and the rear lights is used to monitor the traffic situation and the environment. The outside mirrors have been replaced by antennas, which are used as transmission-reception hubs for the data transmitted from or to the vehicle.

BMW ActiveE 2011 Electric Car TEST DRIVE [video]

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show will see the world premier of the BMW ActiveE. Based on the current BMW 1 Series Coupé, the BMW ActiveE is the second electric test vehicle to be created by the BMW Group.

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BMW to Launch ActiveE EV at Geneva Auto Show [video]

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show will see the world premier of the BMW ActiveE. Based on the current BMW 1 Series Coupé, the BMW ActiveE is the second electric test vehicle to be created by the BMW Group.

With four seats and a luggage compartment of 200 litres, the BMW ActiveE is the first electric vehicle from the BMW Group to combine the space and comfort of a traditionally powered BMW with a fully electric drivetrain. Intelligent packaging ensures that the driver and all three passengers have the same head, leg and shoulder room as they would in a standard BMW 1 Series Coupé.

At the heart of the BMW ActiveE is a powerful electric synchronous motor which propels the car from zero to 60mph in just nine seconds, delivering 168hp and maximum torque of 250Nm, from a standing start. While its top speed is electronically limited to 90mph. The BMW ActiveE maintains the dynamic driving style that is typical of a BMW, with a low centre of gravity and 50:50 weight distribution to enhance traction and power transfer of the high torque.

Replacing the engine block, transmission and fuel tank are three large energy storage units containing lithium-ion cells, developed in conjunction with SB LiMotive. These modules are protected by a steel-plate battery housing with integrated liquid cooling system, to keep the batteries at optimum operating temperature helping to increase the range. These housings also help to ensure that the BMW ActiveE meets the same stringent safety standards as the BMW 1 Series Coupé, meeting and exceeding the levels legislated.

The BMW ActiveE is engineered so that when the driver takes his foot off the accelerator pedal the motor becomes a generator and feeds the electricity created from kinetic energy back into the vehicle battery, while at the same time braking torque is created, slowing the vehicle down. This recuperation of energy can increase the range by up to 20 per cent.

For the first time in a BMW Group electric vehicle the BMW ActiveE features an ‘intermediate position’ for the accelerator pedal that results in the car’s own kinetic energy being used to move forward, without consuming energy from the batteries. In essence it is a ‘gliding’ mode. With previous electric vehicles when the accelerator lifts the car automatically starts to brake. To further increase the range of the BMW ActiveE ECO PRO Mode can be selected whereby the drive configuration and comfort functions are modified to use less energy and facilitate a more efficient driving style. In ECO PRO mode the heating and air conditioning system are programmed to use less energy and the accelerator demands less power with the same travel.

The BMW ActiveE retains the dynamic looks of the traditionally powered BMW 1 Series Coupé but with circuit inspired graphics, a scoop in the bonnet and a closed rear apron, with no exhaust pipes, to distinguish it. Inside Pearl Grey Dakota leather seats with Blue contrasting seams, along with a revised instrument cluster are the main indicators of the electric drivetrain. Instead of the traditional fuel gauge and rev counters the dials show the level of charge left in the battery and the amount of energy being used and recuperated.

The BMW ActiveE is not dependent on a specific energy source and so can be charged using 32-ampere wallbox in five hours, or overnight from a conventional domestic socket. This allows greater flexibility allowing the car to be charged wherever there is an electricity supply.

Starting in 2011, a test fleet of over 1,000 BMW ActiveE vehicles will be trialed in the USA, Europe and China and will provide valuable insights into the everyday use of the electric vehicle. The knowledge and insights gained from the field trials of the BMW ActiveE will be fed back for the future development of the Megacity Vehicle, due to go into production in 2013. BMW UK will be leasing BMW ActiveEs to select customers. Further details will be announced in due course.

BMW, Peugeot and Citroen Form Joint Venture to Develop Hybrid Technology

BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroen are setting up a joint venture to develop and produce hybrid- power components and software in an effort to cut supply costs.

The 50-50 partnership, to be named BMW Peugeot Citroen Electrification, will begin operating in the second quarter and provide parts for both manufacturers’ vehicles starting in 2014, the companies said today in a joint statement. The project will be run by Wolfgang Guellich, BMW’s head of purchasing strategy, and Jean Leflour, chief of customer satisfaction at Peugeot.

“This cooperative venture will enable us to achieve significant economies of scale in the field of electrification,” BMW Chief Executive Officer Norbert Reithofer said in the statement. “It also represents an important step on the road to sustainable mobility.”

BMW, which has its headquarters in Munich, has cooperated since 2006 on engines with Paris-based Peugeot, Europe’s second- biggest carmaker. In February 2010, the manufacturers said they would develop 4-cylinder gasoline engines that conform with the latest European Union environmental rules. The venture announced today follows a memorandum of understanding on hybrid-power technology development signed in October.

BMW Peugeot Citroen Electrification will involve suppliers in the development process and may sell products to other manufacturers, the carmakers said.

BMW Bypasses TV To Promote New Electric Car

Usually, when automakers introduce new models, they opt for a 30-second TV spot. But to promote its ActiveE electric car, BMW is employing online documentaries that run between 4 and 10 minutes instead.

The idea, says Rich Steinberg, manager of electric vehicle operations and strategy for BMW North America, is to reach thought leaders who might be interested in the topic and will want to share their thoughts about the model via social media. “Our intent was to get some people in the space to join us, to talk about their view of mobility and the future of cities,” says Steinberg.

That’s the topic of four films BMW plans to roll out next month. (The company launched a trailer promoting the films today.) The docs, created by ad agency Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + Partners, feature such thought leaders as Blade Runner designer Syd Mead, Marissa Mayer, Google’s vice president of location services, and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, among others, talking about their view of mobility in the cities of the future.

The ActiveE, which rolls out this summer, is BMW’s second electric car. The first, the Mini E, launched in June 2009 in the U.S. to 450 “motoring pioneers.” Like that vehicle, the ActiveE can only be leased, not bought.

Though other electric vehicles, like the Nissan Leaf, have received traditional advertising support, companies like GE and IBM have used online documentaries to attempt to convey more complex ideas than a 30-second TV spot can accommodate. “This is complicated dialog that’s a good fit for social media,” says Marian Hawryluk, electric vehicle project manager for BMW North America.

This isn’t the first time that BMW has experimented with long-form advertising. In 2001, the brand introduced BMW Films, a series of star-studded mini-movies by Guy Ritchie, Wong Kar-Wai and other directors that featured BMWs but didn’t include any overt pitches for the vehicles.