BMW might have cracked the Bluemotion code

bwilson4web · Jul 11, 2012

I don't like posting a review of a future car but it sounds like BMW might have figured out the control laws needed for a Bluemotion, single-motor hybrid:

The ActiveHybrid 3 is BMW's fourth series-production hybrid. After the short-lived X6 ActiveHybrid and the more recently introduced ActiveHybrid 7 and ActiveHybrid 5, there is now another gasoline-electric-powered BMW to tempt U.S. car buyers.

. . . its official 0-to-62-mph acceleration claim, which sees it outrun the 335i sedan at 5.3 seconds versus 5.5 seconds. Both have a limited 155-mph top speed.

Impressively, the ActiveHybrid 3 is also claimed to return an average 39.9 mpg on the combined European cycle. That also beats the 335i sedan, which is rated at 32.7 mpg on the same test procedure.
. . .
Mounted longitudinally up front is the 335i's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It is supported by a brushless electric motor mounted in the forward section of the gearbox housing, developing 55 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque.
Click to expand...

Source: 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3: Drive review - Autoweek

Now we really need to see the USA EPA numbers and understand if this is "39.9 mpg" using Imperial or the smaller USA gallons. Also, the EU numbers tend to be 'generous', another reason to be cautious. But to go from 32.7 to 39.9 MPG suggests they've figured out the right set of control laws to use with Bluemotion.

Bob Wilson

BMW might have cracked the Bluemotion code

bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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BMW might have cracked the Bluemotion code

bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3