Range extenders can extend the driving range for an electric vehicle ...

Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of
BMW, Sales and Marketing (left), and Gert Hildebrand,
Director of MINI Design at the Geneva Motor Show 2010.
Hybrid with brains
BMW has bolted its existing hybrid technology
– along with new systems - into
the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid.
It is described as offering a “particularly good
rendition of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan in all
its dynamic, efficient and innovative qualities,
at the same time representing the ongoing
development of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and
the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 with their drivetrain
technology already in production”.
Powering the vehicle is a combination of
electric drive connected through an automatic
clutch to a straight-six gasoline engine with
TwinPower Turbo technology, and eightspeed
automatic transmission. It allows all-
electric motoring in city traffic. Drawing from
a high-voltage battery at the back of the
car, the electric motor develops maximum
output of 40 kW. Features include Brake
Energy Regeneration, which is already found
in BMW’s current production models. The
specially developed high-voltage battery is
fitted in a reinforced casing near the rear axle –
optimizing safety and weight distribution. The
battery also delivers electric power to the car’s
on-board network. All electrical functions,
such as the audio system, climate control or
navigation continue operating when running
on battery power.
Intelligent systems in the BMW Concept
BMW Plant Landshut, resource-saving cleaning of plastic
components by the “snowcleaning”-method.
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5 Series: The new 5 Series.
5 Series ActiveHybrid enable the vehicle to
plan ahead using data provided by engine and
chassis management as well as the sensors
in the driver assistance systems on board
the car. Data from the navigation system is
factored into the calculations. Should the
system determine, for example, that a steep
downhill stretch lies ahead, the charge level of
the battery is allowed to drop in anticipation
of the boost from the braking energy going
down hill. Similarly, the system may switch to
all-electric drive along the final stretch of road.
This forward-looking function is able to extend
the cruising range on electric power by up to
30%, according to BMW. AI