2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7

---

BMW is proud to present the most supreme and luxurious rendition of hybrid technology ever seen so far in the automobile: BMW ActiveHybrid 7. Based on the BMW 7 Series, this unique car sets new standards for effi ciency in the luxury class. BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is the fi rst car in the world to combine a V8 gasoline engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor as a mild hybrid concept.

This symbiosis of an upgraded eight-cylinder with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and High Precision Injection with a three-phase synchronous electric motor gives BMW ActiveHybrid 7 overall system output of 342 kW/465 hp and maximum torque of 700 Newton-metres/516 lb-ft. Power is transmitted via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the electric motor positioned in compact confi guration between the combustion engine and the converter on the automatic transmission receiving its supply of energy from a lithium-ion battery developed especially for use in the automobile.

Precisely controlled interaction of both power sources serves to optimise not only the effi ciency but also the dynamic performance and superior comfort of BMW ActiveHybrid 7. The result is a truly thrilling driving experience and, at the same time, a unique demonstration of hybrid technology with its outstanding potential. BMW ActiveHybrid 7accelerates to 100 km/h in a mere 4.9 seconds, while keeping average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle to 9.4 litres/ 100 kilometres (equivalent to 29.1 mpg imp) and restricting CO2 emissions to just 219 grams per kilometre.

Hybrid technology also provides new options for the particularly efficient use and enjoyment of additional comfort functions. As an example, BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is the fi rst BMW with automatic transmission to feature an Auto Start Stop function avoiding idle speed operation of the engine when at a standstill or in traffi c jams. A further signifi cant advantage is that the air conditioning and ventilation system remains fully operational also with the engine switched off, power being supplied directly through the 120-volt on-board network operating on the lithium-ion battery.

This unique concept of engine management for the fi rst allows truly effective climate control also at a standstill in a luxury performance car, cooling the interior of BMW ActiveHybrid 7 to a signifi cantly lower temperature right from the start, before the driver even fi res the engine. Special displays in the instrument cluster and the Control Display inform the occupants of the degree of effi ciency and the current operating status of the hybrid components. Nineteen-inch light-alloy rims in aerodynamically optimised ten-spoke turbine wheel design created exclusively for BMW ActiveHybrid 7 as well as model designations on the luggage compartment lid, the C—–ars behind the side windows and on the door cutouts clearly set aside the hybrid models from their “regular” counterparts right from the start. And last but certainly not least, BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is also available in Bluewater metallic exterior paintwork exclusive to this very special model.

Like the existing models within the BMW 7 Series, BMW’s fi rst luxury saloon with hybrid drive is entering the market in two body variants. The extended version of BMW ActiveHybrid 7 comes with wheelbase increased by 14 centimetres or 5.5″, benefi ting exclusively the rear-seat passengers. And to optimise the driving experience and grand touring comfort for individual requirements, both models are available with a wide range of options from the portfolio of equipment and accessories offered on the BMW 7 Series.

BMW ActiveHybrid as a major element of the BMW Effi cientDynamics development strategy.

Right from the start, the regular production models in the new BMW 7 Series come with a broad scope of BMW Effi cientDynamics technologies quite unparalleled worldwide in their diversity and effects. Now BMW ActiveHybrid technology offers yet another option, hybrid technology for the fi rst time achieving the unique standard already defi ned by BMW in the luxury performance segment. BMW ActiveHybrid 7 takes a truly innovative approach in ensuring outstanding effi ciency in the luxury class. At the same time this unique saloon offers dynamic driving characteristics at a level by far exceeding everything hybrid cars have been able to offer so far.

Appropriate use of the electric motor also in the interest of driving comfort likewise ensures yet another signifi cant step into the future provided by the development of hybrid components focusing on both the requirements of the luxury class and the characteristics so typical of a genuine BMW. The result is an extremely effi cient luxury performance saloon at the same time offering unprecedented Sheer Driving Pleasure for a hybrid car.

BMW ActiveHybrid is an important module within the BMW Effi cientDynamics development strategy offering technologies able to signifi cantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions on every new model and at the same time enhance driving performance to an unprecedented standard.

Now the innovative drivetrain technology of BMW ActiveHybrid 7 serves to further enhance the effi ciency of the car and the driving pleasure it is able to offer, with the gasoline engine and electric motor being perfectly coordinated with one another to provide a signifi cant improvement of dynamic performance and motoring comfort and, at the same time, to capitalise on the use of energy in the fuel under a wide range of different driving conditions.

BMW uses hybrid technology wherever it can make a particularly effective contribution to the reduction of fuel consumption and emissions. As a rule, the savings potential of hybrid technology increases with the power of the combustion engine interacting with the system. Precisely this is why BMW ActiveHybrid technology in conjunction with a V8 power unit achieves a signifi cantly greater effect than when combined, say, with a six- or fourcylinder engine.

In the case of BMW ActiveHybrid 7 precise coordination of the electric motor and the V8 power unit serves to optimise the effi ciency of the combustion engine under all kinds of different loads and under many conditions. And through its use in a luxury performance saloon, BMW’s sophisticated ActiveHybrid technology offers a particularly convincing rendition of its exclusive character.

Intelligent energy management optimising the generation, storage and use of electric power

The drivetrain technology in BMW ActiveHybrid 7 ensures a particularly intelligent standard of energy management within the car serving to make maximum use of the energy contained in the fuel in generating superior driving dynamics and at the same time to increase motoring comfort to an even higher standard, thus generating Sheer Driving Pleasure from each and every drop of fuel. The intelligent hybrid concept comprises both the generation and use of electrical energy, with loss-free storage of electric power ensured by the highperformance lithium-ion battery. Both the process of charging the battery and the supply of power to the electric motor as well as all other power-consuming items are ensured and masterminded by power electronics developed specifi – cally for BMW ActiveHybrid 7.

Electric power generated on no extra fuel as an additional energy reserve

BMW ActiveHybrid technology uses energy converted into heat and therefore wasted in conventional cars through the operation and use of the brakes. In terms of power generation, this unique technology is therefore an ongoing development proceeding from the Brake Energy Regeneration used by BMW on all model series in the brand’s current gasoline and diesel models with BMW Effi cientDynamics.

Referred to also as the recuperation of power, Brake Energy Regeneration concentrates the development of electric power for the on-board network on appropriate running conditions either with the car in overrun or when applying the brakes. Then, when accelerating, energy is fed into the on-board network from the lithium-ion battery, relieving the combustion engine of the task of converting some of the energy contained in the fuel directly into electric current, and thus enabling the engine to provide more power for the actual process of accelerating.

The result is even faster and dynamic acceleration, while the electrical energy obtained in this way is generated without any additional consumption of fuel as soon as the car is rolling or the driver applies the brakes.

As long as the driver requires only a small amount of brake power, the system uses only the electrical brake force, with the mechanical brakes being activated only when the driver presses down the brake pedal harder for more stopping power.

DSC Dynamic Stability Control serves to mastermind the balance of electrical and mechanical braking, naturally maintaining all the driver’s freedom in dosing the brakes. A fi nal – and again an important – point is that the driver does not even perceive the transition from braking with electric power to braking with the mechanical brake system.

Two interconnected on-board networks for flexible management of energy

Electric power generated in overrun and when applying the brakes on BMW ActiveHybrid 7 in a neutral process without any additional consumption of fuel is fed into the car’s two on-board networks: BMW ActiveHybrid 7 features both a conventional 12-volt on-board network fed by an AGM (absorbent glass mat) battery and a high-voltage battery featuring lithium-ion technology and operating at 120 V. This lithium-ion battery supplies power to the electric motor as soon as it is required to perform an additional drive function or serves to start the combustion engine.

The a/c compressor on BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is also integrated in the 120-volt network, with all other electrically operated functions of the car being supplied with power from the 12-volt network.

The two on-board networks are connected with one another by a voltage converter providing fl exible energy management also serving to operate all electrical functions on the car on electric power generated without any additional consumption of fuel. The 12-volt battery is fed with energy from the high-voltage network, which it supports itself whenever necessary, for example when starting the combustion engine cold.

Cutting-edge energy storage technology: lithium-ion battery with superior capacity and multi-cycle operating strength

Introducing the lithium-ion battery, BMW is taking yet a further step into the future with particularly effi cient and, at the same time, fl exible use of electric power in the car. This means that energy generated in the recuperation process must be fed at all times and, depending on driving conditions, in a varying rhythm to a storage unit where it is kept available for subsequent use whenever required. A further requirement is to use a battery with signifi cant storage capacity for covering long distances without overrun or application of the brakes and without any bottlenecks in the supply process.

The AGM batteries already used in all conventional production cars with Brake Energy Regeneration offer the advantage of being able to handle frequent and irregular charge and discharge cycles without any loss of power. A mild hybrid concept, on the other hand, makes even greater demands, thus requiring a high-voltage battery with a much higher level of performance to also supply the electric motor with the energy capacity required for its drive function. The system developed for BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is based on the most advanced lithium-ion technology meeting the greatest demands in terms of power loads and lasting operation.

Lithium-ion batteries have already proven their particularly high storage capacity and cycle resistance in many other applications such as mobile phones and laptops. The energy storage unit used in BMW ActiveHybrid 7 confi rms the potential of this technology once again, this time under particularly demanding conditions in the automobile. The useful energy provided by this high-performance battery is 400 watt hours, with the battery itself comprising 35 cells as well as an integrated control unit permanently analysing the charge level and ensuring appropriate dependability under all kinds of driving conditions and throughout a wide range of temperatures.

Despite its high level of performance, the lithium-ion battery measures just 37 x 22 x 23 centimetres (14.6 x 8.7 x 9.1 inches) and weighs a mere 27 kg or 59.5 lb. Hence, it is hardly larger than a conventional car battery and is housed conveniently in the luggage compartment between the wheel arches of BMW ActiveHybrid 7, safely surrounded by a high-strength special casing. This ensures perfect protection of the battery and at the same time helps to give the car precise weight distribution.

The space required is about the same as the space taken up by the additional compressor for the rear-seat air conditioning in the conventional BMW 7 Series, with this compressor not being featured in BMW ActiveHybrid 7. The luggage compartment with its capacity of 460 litres/16.1 cu ft therefore offers adequate space for four 46-inch golf bags also in BMW ActiveHybrid 7.