Just returned from a very interesting trip to BMW’s headquarters in sub-zero (Celsius) Munich where I got a first hand view of BMW’s “EfficientDynamics” strategy. To make it simple, “EfficientDynamics” is BMW’s concept to overcome the apparent conflict of interests between better performance, on the one hand, and greater fuel economy, on the other WITHOUT the use of a hybrid powertrain.
Instead, BMW will focus on optimizing its cars all-round in every respect -while it continues to work on Hydrogen though. BMW will accomplish this by equipping its car with technologically advanced petrol & diesel engines, by making them lighter (e.g BMW M3’s 420Hp 4.0 V8 engine is 12kg / 26,5lbs lighter than the current 343Hp 3.2 R6) and more aerodynamic and most importantly, by improving energy management and hybridisation with the use of various components and concepts ranging from the Auto Start Stop Function via Brake Energy Regeneration all the way to the integration of an additional electric motor in an active transmission.
But unlike Toyota/Lexus Hybrid-powertrain tech which is only available to certain models, “EfficientDynamics” will make its appearance on every single BMW starting off with the facelifted 1-Series & 5-Series (3-Series and MINI models following later on this year). Thus meaning that systems like “Start & Stop” and “Brake Energy Regeneration” will be standard from the basic 116i & MINI ONE up to the next-gen M3 and the 760iL.
As BMW exec’s pointed out to me, apart from the energy management and hybridisation systems, this isn’t a first for BMW. For example, the much larger, safer, faster and luxurious 2007 320i consumes almost one-quarter less fuel than its predecessor did in 1982 while the 2007 525i asks for 30% less fuel than its 80’s ancestor. Therefore, what’s the fuss all about? While all these facts are true and albeit BMW is going to focus much more on technologies that’ll significantly reduce consumption and CO2, thing is that they had to find a way to market it, to make people say I want a BMW not only cause it’s sporty, sexy etc but also because its eco-friendly. EfficientDynamics is that way. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below
EfficientDynamics comprises the following areas of technology:
Further optimisation of the powertrain.Introducing new fuel injection and combustion processes, we will further increase the degree of efficiency in the conversion of primary energy in the combustion engine. And I also see a significant potential in the area of transmission systems.
Energy management and hybridisation.We see many possibilities to make intelligent use of the flow of energy within the car. The various components and concepts we use for this purpose range from the Auto Start Stop Function via Brake Energy Regeneration all the way to the integration of an additional electric motor in an active transmission.
Lightweight construction of cars.Every kilo of weight in a car has a direct influence on fuel consumption. Using high-tech materials all the way from the engine to the body of the car, we are able time and again to break through the weight spiral.
Improved aerodynamics.Less air resistance means lower consumption of energy. Apart from an aerodynam-ically perfect body, the BMW Group, with some models, is also introducing active air flap control in order to optimise the flow of air.
PRESS RELEASE: Innovation Day 2007. BMW EfficientDynamics.
Like the changeover to a new model, the presentation of a new generation of engines by BMW always creates particular expectations. Clearly, newly developed drive units are intended to offer significant improvements in as many areas as possible.
BMW now once again defines this progress in very clear and specific terms, presenting EfficientDynamics as the overriding philosophy behind precisely those qualities which enhance sheer driving pleasure while at the same time reducing fuel consumption and thus also optimizing the car’s emissions. Hence, every new power unit is lighter, more powerful and at the same time more fuel-efficient than its respective predecessor.
BMW’s leadership in technology and engine construction acknowledged the world over is based, not least, on the ability to consistently overcome the conflict of interests between growing dynamics, on the one hand, and optimised economy, on the other, in all vehicle and drive segments. This is clearly proven by the newly developed power units BMW is launching at the 2007 Innovation Day – clear and impressive proof of EfficientDynamics. Offering precisely these benefits, BMW’s new four-cylinder power units ensure a new dimension of all-round economy – and at the same time enable the motorist to enjoy the sheer driving pleasure so typical of a BMW in every respect.
Harmony of sheer driving pleasure and all-round economy.
The No 1 prerequisite for the harmony of driving pleasure and economy offered by BMW’s various engine concepts is the unique innovative power of BMW’s engine development specialists. And so the wide range of innovations giving the new generation of four-cylinder diesel engines their outstanding efficiency extends from the ultra-light aluminium crankcase through the latest version of common rail fuel injection all the way to Variable Twin Turbo technology featured for the first time in this drive segment. Despite an increase in output by 15 and, respectively, 10 kW (20 and, respectively, 14 hp), the new BMW 118d and the new BMW 120d offer an improvement in fuel economy over their respective predecessors by up to 16 per cent: In the EU test cycle the BMW 120d consumes just 4.9,the BMW 118d an even more impressive 4.7 litres/100 km, equal to57.6 and, respectively, 60.1 mpg Imp.
This progress is also of significance in view of the CO2 agreement made by ACEA, the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers, with the EU Commission, stating that the average CO2 emissions of passenger cars are to be reduced on a European fleet average to 140 grams/kilometre by the year 2008. Hence, BMW’s newly developed four-cylinder diesel engines are a further step taken successfully by BMW in reaching this objective, with CO2 emissions on the new BMW 120d dropping to 129, on the new BMW 118d to just 123 grams/kilometre.
The first and foremost reason for the exceptional efficiency offered by the new four-cylinder petrol engines is High Precision Injection already introduced by BMW on the Company’s straight-six power units. For the first time, this second-generation direct gasoline injection offers significant reduction of fuel consumption also under practical driving conditions. And now, on BMW’s four-cylinder power units, High Precision Injection is featured exclusively in the particularly fuel-efficient lean burn mode. At the same time the new four-cylinders offer a significant increase in driving dynamics and motoring pleasure provided by the increase in power over the previous engines.
The 125 kW/170 hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder with High Precision Injection has already made a truly impressive debut in every respect in the new BMW 320i Convertible. And now this outstanding engine with its dynamic power and performance combined with supreme economy is likewise hitting the headlines in the new BMW 120i, offering a reduction in fuel consumption versus the previous model by approximately 14 per cent to 6.4 litres/100 kilometres or 44.1 mpg Imp.
This engine with its cutting-edge technology shares many common features and similarities with the current racing engine developed by the BMW Sauber F1 Team not only in terms of the number of cylinders and the engine’s basic technology, but also in terms of production methods and the choice of materials used. The engine block as such comes from BMW’s light-alloy foundry in Landshut near Munich, which also builds the engine blocks for BMW’s Formula 1 engines. The crankcase is made of a cast aluminium/silicon alloy, and both the pistons and cylinder head are also made of aluminium. The entire crankcase as well as the crankshaft are extremely compact and ultra-strong, with maximum torsional stiffness. The V8 power unit featured in the new BMW M3 offers the additional advantage of impressive weight benefits, again reflecting BMW’s pledge to EfficientDynamics. For despite the larger number of cylinders and the significant increase in power, this new engine is lighter than the straight-six power unit in the former model.
EfficientDynamics: a powerful strategy with a great tradition.
The quest for EfficientDynamics has a long tradition in the development of BMW power units. And this philosophy is combined with numerous innovations giving BMW’s engine range truly unique appeal and popularity. Introducing fully variable VALVETRONIC valve control in 2001, BMW presented an impressive technology offering a significant reduction of fuel consumption under everyday driving conditions even back then.
Also referred to as “throttle-free load management”, VALVETRONIC is now featured throughout BMW’s entire range of engines and has in the meantime proven its benefits in more than a million cars the world over. BMW then took another significant step in 2004 with the introduction of the composite magnesium/aluminium crankcase on the straight-six power unit. From the start, this new engine combined 12 per cent more power with a reduction in fuel consumption by approximately 10 per cent. And the weightsaving is equally impressive, the composite magnesium/aluminium crankcase weighing only 57 per cent of a conventional grey-cast iron cylinder block and also about 24 per cent lighter than a comparable aluminium crankcase.
Offering their unique combination of economy and powerful muscle from the ground up, BMW’s diesel engines have been increasing their share in the market consistently for several years. So progress in this area also follows the EfficientDynamics development strategy in every respect. BMW’s range of engines thus comprises the world’s most sporting and dynamic six-cylinder diesel using Variable Twin Turbo technology to develop maximum output of 210 kW/286 hp and peak torque of 580 Newton-metres or 427 lb-ft from 3.0 litres engine capacity. Fuel consumption remains very low despite these impressive figures, this sports diesel making do in the new BMW 535d with just 6.8 litres/100 kilometres in the EU test cycle, equal to 41.5 mpg Imp.
Innovations to the last detail for enhanced efficiency all round.
Over and above the ongoing development of BMW power units as such, a number of innovations in the ancillary units surrounding the engines also serve to reduce both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. As an example, most BMWs already feature a volume-flow controlled oil pump and an on-demand electrical coolant pump serving to reduce the amount of energy consumed by the ancillary units. And now, depending on the model, BMW engines also offer the opportunity to disconnect the air conditioning compressor, to improve fuel economy by the Auto Start Stop function and to tell the driver precisely when to shift gears for superior economy. Other new features with similar benefits are the new electrical power steering, the pressure-controlled electrical fuel pump, as well as aerodynamically optimised cooling and brake air flap systems.
Brake Energy Regeneration is yet another cutting-edge technology now available on all models and in conjunction with all engine variants: Featuring intelligent alternator control, this new technology concentrates the conversion of fuel into electrical energy on engine overrun and application of the brakes, thus masterminding the generation and use of electrical energy with a high standard of efficiency and at the same time enhancing driving dynamics and performance while the car is under power. Brake Energy Regeneration is indeed an important step towards intelligent energy management in the car, at the same time providing the foundation for further steps in the hybridisation of drive systems.
Hybrid concepts: moving forward to production standard.
The effect of Brake Energy Regeneration is described by engineers as “passive boosting” or, perhaps even more appropriately, “micro-hybridisation”. The medium-term objective in developing power units with EfficientDynamics is however to achieve even more effective interaction in the use of primary and electrical energy.
Precisely this kind of hybrid concept is currently being jointly developed by the General Motors Corporation, DaimlerChrysler, and the BMW Group. This is indeed a fully integrated combination of electric motors and a transmission with fixed transmission ratios, this two-mode concept, as it is called, serving to provide the most fuel-efficient driving mode under all kinds of load conditions. Such a hybrid car might therefore run either on its two electric motors alone, on the combustion engine alone, or with all power units for superior performance. And the hybrid transmission being jointly developed by the partners in this project might also be used on existing combustion engines.
A long-term option already available today: hydrogen drive.
Introducing the BMW Hydrogen 7, BMW already provides a clear outlook at the long-term future of individual mobility in 2006: The world’s first luxury saloon for everyday use running on hydrogen paves the way into a new dimension of emission-free mobility independent of fossil fuels. The dual-mode combustion engine featured in the BMW Hydrogen 7 therefore runs on both hydrogen and conventional gasoline fuel in the same cylinders, the V12 power unit developing maximum output of 191 kW/260 hp.
Pursuing a consistent CleanEnergy strategy, BMW is focusing clearly on the use of liquid hydrogen as a source of energy. The introduction of BMW Hydrogen 7 therefore also provides the necessary momentum for developing and enlarging the hydrogen supply infrastructure in our modern world.
The long-term objective in this development process is to consistently use hydrogen gained in a regenerating process as the ideal source of energy for the automobile. So with its trendsetting drive concept, BMW Hydrogen 7will become the pacemaker for sustained mobility fully compatible with the environment.
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