BMW I3 CONCEPT COUPE: EUROPEAN PREMIERE PLUS INTELLIGENT RANGE-ENHANCING SOLUTIONS
March 4, 2013 by BMW![BMW I3 CONCEPT COUPE: EUROPEAN PREMIERE PLUS INTELLIGENT RANGE-ENHANCING SOLUTIONS](images/articleImages/BMW-i3-Concept-Europe-Premier-01.jpg)
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A further priority in designing the BMW i3 was to reduce the energy consumption of electrical components. The cabin heating operates on the heat pump principle, which results in 30 per cent energy savings in city driving compared with a conventional electrical heating system, while the internal and external lighting uses energy-saving LEDs. Together, these two measures make a significant contribution to 'range security' in the BMW i3. Battery and consumer size and management are not the only measures BMW i is adopting to address range issues. The BMW i3 will also be the world's first electric vehicle to feature full connectivity and will consequently be equipped with innovative BMW i ConnectedDrive services catering specifically to the needs of electric mobility. These functions, which are specially adapted to BMW eDrive technology, provide drivers with a realistic range estimate for their journey before they even set out. The internet-enabled navigation system is based on a dynamic range display which takes into account all the relevant parameters for the planned route and is therefore able to provide precise, reliable range predictions. In addition to the battery charge level, driving style, use of electric convenience systems and choice of drive mode, the calculations also take into account route topography and the current traffic situation. The system can identify energy-intensive uphill gradients on the route ahead and reduces the range computation accordingly. The same goes for energy-depleting stop-go conditions or traffic jams, since detailed real-time traffic data is also taken into account. The dynamic range display appears in the central information display, inside the navigation map. Based on the vehicle's current location, all destinations reachable on the battery's current charge level are shown in the form of a spidergram. Since the vehicle's energy consumption, and therefore also its range, can be actively altered by the driver by changing to a different drive mode, the system always computes two different versions of the range graph. The range displayed depends on whether the driver has selected COMFORT, ECO PRO or ECO PRO+ mode. Depending on the destination, the Range Assistant if necessary recommends that the driver switch to ECO PRO or ECO PRO+ mode in order to increase the driving range. In the standard sporty but comfortable COMFORT mode, the BMW i3 already offers a range of 160 kilometres (100 miles). ECO PRO mode, on the other hand, selects a different accelerator pedal mapping, which uses less power and increases the driving range by around 10 per cent. In ECO PRO+ mode, all settings are geared to achieving the maximum possible range. In this mode the maximum speed of the BMW i3 is limited to 90 km/h (56 mph) and electrical consumers such as the heating and air conditioning are switched to energy-saving mode. As a result, the driving range is increased by approximately 25 per cent compared with COMFORT mode. The driver can also ask the display to show charging stations within easy reach of his or her destination, and can reserve a slot at one of these locations at a further press of a button. The system also informs the driver how long it will take to charge the vehicle for the return journey, or to travel to a further destination. As a rough guide, in the time it takes to stop for a cup of coffee enough charge can be stored - using 'fast charging' mode - to give an additional 120 kilometres (75 miles) of range. The BMW i3 can also be supplied with an optional range extender, which increases the driving range to approximately 300 kilometres (186 miles). If it is likely that, even using all the measures listed above, it will not be possible to reach an intended destination in the BMW i3, BMW i also offers additional mobility modules which allow even longer distances to be covered - for example a conventional BMW vehicle can be provided on a given number of days per year.
posted on conceptcarz.com
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