Hot! BMW AG: What's Next

[mini_cooper4]

Apparently Tesla-Bots trying to get a more detailed look at the Vision iDynamics.
View attachment 429527

They don't look too impressed.

 

[SCOTT27]

They don't look too impressed.

It's a concept. It's a foretelling of a future model once it is brought to reality in regards to conforming to legislative purpose without diminishing its potential. If they are not scared yet? Then they will be. The response and not just by BMW will be more of a flood rather than an advance. Of course if the current Model S will be with us by the time of its launch.
It would join the Fiat 500 as one of the oldest cars still available.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Personally, I am very much looking forward to the presentation of BMWs' 8 series/M8. I have a hunch that BMW will nail that killer combo consisting of highest integrity pertaining to the proportions of the architecture + effective, accentuating sculpturing and details. My expectations are high indeed. I envision nothing less than an absolutely drop-dead gorgeous automobile.

 

[TheNewBATMAN]

Personally, I am very much looking forward to the presentation of BMWs' 8 series/M8. I have a hunch that BMW will nail that killer combo consisting of highest integrity pertaining to the proportions of the architecture + effective, accentuating sculpturing and details. My expectations are high indeed. I envision nothing less than an absolutely drop-dead gorgeous automobile.

Yes, me too. But the interior could be underwhelming.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Yes, me too. But the interior could be underwhelming.

Although often being subjected to criticism, I very much like BMWs' approach to interiors. More conservative than the neuvo-M-B wide flatscreen dominated architecture or Audis' "robotic", highly technoid theme, the BMW approach appeals to me in its' distinctly modern yet...for lack of a better term..."car-like" traditional approach.

While the likes of Porsche and Bentley reign supreme (for me) in the interior sweepstakes, BMW gets my nod when it comes to the 3 usual suspect Germans. I find the G11 7er and G30 5er very pleasant places to be. And even the aging 3 or 4 series are appealing. Especially in higher-spec configurations.

 

[SKY]

Although often being subjected to criticism, I very much like BMWs' approach to interiors. More conservative than the neuvo-M-B wide flatscreen dominated architecture or Audis' "robotic", highly technoid theme, the BMW approach appeals to me in its' distinctly modern yet...for lack of a better term..."car-like" traditional approach.

While the likes of Porsche and Bentley reign supreme (for me) in the interior sweepstakes, BMW gets my nod when it comes to the 3 usual suspect Germans. I find the G11 7er and G30 5er very pleasant places to be. And even the aging 3 or 4 series are appealing. Especially in higher-spec configurations.

The G30 5er interior is the epitome of BMW's current interior design theme. What appears on the horizon for the G20 3er is promissing as well. My only concern is that very same desing language the new 3er seems to incorporate, does not fit that will with the larger models, as seen with the X7 interior.

 

[Centurion]

The G30 5er interior is the epitome of BMW's current interior design theme. What appears on the horizon for the G20 3er is promissing as well. My only concern is that very same desing language the new 3er seems to incorporate, does not fit that will with the larger models, as seen with the X7 interior.

Whilst the Z5 and 8-Series Concepts wear the new interior design language well, the dashboard in the X7 looks a bit too clinical. The 2018 X5 will be will give a taster of how larger beemers will enshrine front passengers in luxury.

 

[EnI]

BMW Group: The new era of E-mobility

Very interesting read indeed ... Insight into the BMW Group's e-mobility future ...


Links:

- Speech, Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development, Tech Workshops 2017.

- Statement, Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sneak Preview Model Year 2018, Strategy Update

Read & discuss ...

 

[Rainer271]

 

[Rainer271]

Very interesting read ... an insight into the BMW Group's future ... a report from VIP "Sneak Preview" event. Now we can finally discuss the event & info. Woo-hoo!

Klaus Fröhlich also said the autonomous driving will change the interior design and BMW want to start a trend. Their claim is to invent the experience of interior in a new way.
BMW will show us next year how that can look in detail.

BMW Entwicklung: Fröhlich über autonomes Fahren, Elektro & Co.

Edit: EnI has added Klaus Fröhlich's speech. Thanks EnI.

 

[Centurion]

Woah! What a bonanza of insightful information. On Sunday a full tank for my X3 20d cost me £85 and will only last 4 weeks despite me averaging 5 miles a day. An electric car or hybrid will be my next car as I will be able to cover 95% of trips in electric mode only, and save 90% in fuel costs.

I see mentions of X and Sedan models, what about touring models?

1. A Touring 330e hybrid or electric will be my ideal car. Will either model exist in year 2020? 2. What will the cargo space sacrifice be for BEV or PHEV customers?
3. For 30e and 40e hybrids, what will be the size of the combustion engine? An existing engine or a new smaller engine? @EnI @SCOTT27


A few points
Range: 278, 341 and 435 miles is awesome.
Wireless charging: Even if slow this will be extremely handy.

Integrated engine + gearbox + electronics: Imagine the cost of engine-out of repairs or even diagnostic!!!

15min charging: "The anticipated charging capacity is up to 450 kilowatts, three times the maximum charging capacity available at stations today. A voltage of 900 volts and an amplitude of 500 amperes for a projected charging time of under 15 minutes pose major challenges on all components involved. "

Wearing rubber boots will be recommended!

 

[klier]

Wearing rubber boots will be recommended!

So true

 

[martinbo]

Phew - total information overload and so many questions but so interesting and exciting at the same time. It's this kind of stuff that makes me an enthusiast of BMW products.

That gearbox and e-machine combo is very interesting to me - it's currently not common production practice to combine electric motors with gearboxes. So, I'm very intrigued to find out more about the mechanics.

Integrated engine + gearbox + electronics: Imagine the cost of engine-out of repairs or even diagnostic!!!

At the risk of being pedantic (but you know me ) it's important to use the correct terminology when describing types of powerplants in cars. An electric motor is not an engine and similarly, for semantic sake, an engine is often incorrectly called a motor. Now, some will argue this position on terminology (who doesn't use the term "outboard motor"?) but in going forward into the new dispensation I believe it is important and practical to make the distinction between [combustion] engines and [electric] motors.

So, given that "engine" is in fact an electric motor and, knowing of the low serviceability of electric motors (it's not like Mike the mechanic is going to strip one and re-wire it) the issue of engine-out repairs becomes less of one.

 

[klier]

So, given that "engine" is in fact an electric motor and, knowing of the low serviceability of electric motors (it's not like Mike the mechanic is going to strip one and re-wire it) the issue of engine-out repairs becomes less of one.

I think you're right. I have been flying electric brushless helicopters for years (the small model ones ), and these engines don't even have moving parts and basically are unable to break down.

 

[SCOTT27]

If you look at the advances of Wet-Ware. Just imagine the car of the future is completely managed by a single chip the size of a fingernail. Scary stuff...

 

[Centurion]

Phew - total information overload and so many questions but so interesting and exciting at the same time. It's this kind of stuff that makes me an enthusiast of BMW products.

That gearbox and e-machine combo is very interesting to me - it's currently not common production practice to combine electric motors with gearboxes. So, I'm very intrigued to find out more about the mechanics.


At the risk of being pedantic (but you know me ) it's important to use the correct terminology when describing types of powerplants in cars. An electric motor is not an engine and similarly, for semantic sake, an engine is often incorrectly called a motor. Now, some will argue this position on terminology (who doesn't use the term "outboard motor"?) but in going forward into the new dispensation I believe it is important and practical to make the distinction between [combustion] engines and [electric] motors.

So, given that "engine" is in fact an electric motor and, knowing of the low serviceability of electric motors (it's not like Mike the mechanic is going to strip one and re-wire it) the issue of engine-out repairs becomes less of one.

Good point. I forgot that. It's electric motors we are talking about, not a W8 in a Passat.

Going forward, what should be call these electric engines? Motors is a bit simplistic if other components are integrated into the same housing. Maybe power unit is a good choice, or is it too F1-centric?

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

sooooooo nein on a new gen V8?

Don't get me wrong, electrfication and autonomous are important for the future of BMW, or any big established brand for that matter. But I curious to know with all those irons in the fire, where does the future of big petrol engines fit in the near future.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

where does the future of big petrol engines fit in the near future.

In the history books

 

[aleks_16]

In the history books

That was cruel.

You hurt my feelings

 

[hovabongZA]

I can confirm that if still be a BMW fan in 2025.