BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics concept

D_BEAR

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/242799/

"The concept is roughly the size of a 3-series coupé, at 4600mm in length, 1900mm in width and 1240mm in height, but it demonstrates its supercar credentials with a considerably lower roofline.
At the heart of the Vision Efficient Dynamics is a diesel-electric hybrid system. The engine is a turbocharged 1.5-litre, three-cylinder powerplant that will be introduced in 2011 in the next 1-series. Other BMW models, including the next 3-series, will then adopt the motor.
With 163bhp and 214lb ft of torque, the engine is more powerful than the latest and most economical version of BMW’s existing 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel. It uses the Getrag seven-speed double-clutch gearbox that was introduced on the M3, albeit with new shift programs and unique ratios.
The diesel engine is supported by a pair of electric motors mounted at the front of the gearbox. One of them supplies drive to the rear wheels, the other powers the front wheels via a single-speed reduced-ratio transmission.
The rear motor has 34bhp and 214lb ft, although it can achieve 51bhp for short bursts. The motor acting on the front wheels delivers 80bhp and 162lb ft, but can supply up to 139bhp momentarily. Altogether, BMW’s new diesel-electric hybrid system is rated at 356bhp and 590lb ft.
This endows the 1395kg Vision Efficient Dynamics with a power-to-weight ratio of 255bhp per tonne, or just 7bhp per tonne below that of the current 414bhp 4.0-litre V8 M3. It’s not surprising, then, that it is claimed to go from 0-62mph in 4.8sec and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Those figures match the M3’s.
Fuel economy is much improved over the M3, though; the combined fuel consumption figure is 75.1mpg and CO2 emissions are just 99g/km; both figures are comparable to those of the Toyota Prius."

daveharnett

That all looks lovely in a concept frame that weighs the same as the model stood beside it.

My question is how the the small engine + motors + batteries + modified powertrain compares to a conventional setup in terms of weight. I'd see a very expensive weight saving regimen being required to make this work in a 3 without compromising the handling.

oldboy

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/08/bmw-concept

interesting !!

great looking concept

Eoin

threads merged

JHMEG

M3 performance with Prius economy... sounds like the holy grail, and I really hope it's all true.

Tho with a 3-cyl diesel will it not be a pig to drive with a typically diesel narrow power band?

alexmcred

Front reminds me of The Joker lol

daveharnett

JHMEG wrote: »

M3 performance with Prius economy... sounds like the holy grail, and I really hope it's all true.

Tho with a 3-cyl diesel will it not be a pig to drive with a typically diesel narrow power band?

That's part of the point of the electric motors, they should allow them to widen and smooth out the power band, and provide lots of extra power near the top end. I dare say they are also using them to eliminate percieved lag from what has to be a pretty hefty turbo (160hp from a 1.5 diesel!).

Moses7

Prototype testing in Sweden:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rzcI_GYeas