BMW: Electric Dreams

It appears like any other 5 Series GT model but the gadgetry under the bonnet of this car could soon be heralding the dawn of a new era in luxury motoring. In as little as five years from now, electric motors are likely to be providing most of the driving force for flagship products from BMW. Backed by higher-capacity batteries, they should be capable of powering more than 60 miles on a single charge to make it possible for most day-to-day travel to be completed free from harmful tailpipe emissions. According to research engineers, lithium-ion packs sized up to 20 kilowatt hours double the capacity of present versions are set to account for two-thirds of the power output of medium and large cars, relegating the internal combustion engine to the relatively minor role of meeting the remaining power requirement.

Fifteen years after it launched its EfficientDynamics programme, BMW is preparing to swell the ranks of hybrid motoring with the launch of two plug-in models, the X5 sport utility in the spring and the 3 Series saloon 12 months later. In each case, 94bhp electric motors are mated with 2.0-litre, twin turbocharged petrol engines to deliver high performance and dramatically improved economy compared with regular versions. Preliminary figures show the X5 eDrive to be capable of accelerating from rest to 62mph in under seven seconds and returning 74mpg average fuel economy with just 90g/km emissions, and with a full battery charge it has an all-electric range of 18 miles.

However, BMW’s plans for the next step in plug-in hybrid drive have just taken a significant move forward after board members paid a visit to the German firm’s secret test facility at Miramas in southern France a few weeks ago. There, they sampled the upmarket 5 Series GT model being used to demonstrate motors and battery equipment described by the engineers as ‘highly electrified’ and have given the go-ahead to more research into the technology billed as Power eDrive. “We started to work on this two years ago and we believe it has definite benefits for the customer. The board members approved pushing the project because they liked what they saw,” said Dr Merten Jung, head of research into future electric drivetrain development.

In a rare look behind the scenes, deep within the bowels of BMW’s top-secret test facility, we get a glimpse at BMW’s plans for an electric future.

After trying the research vehicle for ourselves at Miramas, we’re not surprised. Power output is prodigious from a 247bhp electric motor driving the rear wheels and another at the front, along with a 200bhp petrol engine used to boost performance as well as a range extender. Out on the circuit, it proved to have the demeanour of a 550i with attitude, and though figures are secret, it showed impressive acceleration for a vehicle weighing more than two tonnes, with the ability to cover 62 miles in zero emissions mode and offering a range of more than 600 miles. Like the X5 and 3 Series plug-in models, the demonstrator makes use of electronics developed for the i3 and i8 electric cars, that are already on sale, and delivers drive via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

 “This is our vision of the electric vehicle of the future. We want to increase the efficiency and dynamism of hybrid vehicles, and we are confident our technology will be a natural choice for use in upmarket vehicle segments, where it should be offering unrestricted everyday practicality as well as good long-distance capability from 2020” said Jung. “We have gained a lot of knowledge about components and batteries as a result of the electric car programme and lithumion technology is improving all the time, especially for automotive applications. While it’s true that we’re still at a relatively early stage in our work, with a long way to go, we’re confident that we can make hybrid technology more affordable, and that Power eDrive has a big future” Jung added.