[e90driver]

FROM AOL:

BMW to add stop-start system in 2007

Autocar reports that BMW plans to launch its Automatic Engine Start/Stop System next year - one of the fuel economy and emissions reduction components of its "Efficient Dynamics" technology package, as the company aims to meet its commitment to the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers 2008 CO2 emissions reduction targets.

Officially called "Auto Start/Stop," the system automatically switches off the engine when the car comes to a standstill. As soon as the driver puts in the clutch or depresses the gas pedal, the engine restarts automatically. BMW's "Intelligent Software" links together the various sensors required with the starter motor and the alternator control to make the process work.

Auto Start/Stop, along with BMW's High Precision Injection (lean-burn direct injection) and Brake Energy Regeneration technologies, will appear across a broad model range, with the Start/Stop technology to be introduced in four- and six-cylinder 1-, 3- and 5-Series models.

[bimmer4me]

So what kind of fuel effeciencies are planned to be gained by this technology? 10%? 30%? 50%??

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by bimmer4me

So what kind of fuel effeciencies are planned to be gained by this technology? 10%? 30%? 50%??

The new Di engines are supposed to be 15 to 20% more fuel efficient than the current Valvetronic engines

[stressdoc]

Every little drop counts. Sell a 100,000 bimmers, and improve their fuel efficiency by 1%, and you have saved the world a lot of oil & pollution.

Just hope it has an override though, stoplight drags could get embarrassing.

[E90Fleet]

Called "Brake Energy Regeneration," BMW's solution is to plop in an oversized battery and engage the alternator only during deceleration. By actively controlling the alternator and battery charge electronically, the alternator just freewheels happily during cruise and acceleration while the battery supplies the necessary juice for the car.

Referring to this system as regenerative braking is something of a misnomer. True regenerative braking implies that the batteries are the prime motive power source, when in fact BMW is still using the battery in a conventional manner to power auxiliaries. The system is rather clever nonetheless. And in the EU drive cycle, Brake Energy Regeneration alone reduced fuel consumption by 3 percent and freed up to the drive wheels the power that otherwise would have been used to turn the alternator. It's a kind of free lunch. Just without the beer.

[E90Fleet]

On the Road
We drove a preproduction 3 Series equipped with a stratified charge normally aspirated inline six, Brake Energy Regeneration, an electric water pump and electric-assist steering. Special screens in our car were rigged up to show whether the lean-burn or regen modes were active. Although traffic on public roads prevented spirited driving, we got a flavor for its drivability.

The transition from lean-burn to homogeneous charge operation was seamless; the engine was smooth and tractable when pulling from any engine speed. Most notable was the large envelope over which lean-burn operation was active. If it weren't for the screen, we'd have never known. Regenerative braking, however, was detectable, but barely — it felt like the brakes would continue hauling the car down a bit faster than we really intended. We expect this will be fully sorted by the time it reaches production.

What was most significant was that there was no indication that we were driving anything other than a normal 3 Series. This seems to validate BMW's short-term powertrain strategy, though we'll have to take BMW's word on the total real-world fuel savings it produces. The march of full hybrids is inevitable, and the technology has already been integrated into vehicles of several types. Just as BMW is spreading the incremental efficiency advantages of select technologies over various vehicles, so can full hybrid technology. Accordingly, BMW's joint venture with GM and DaimlerChrysler in developing full hybrid systems is in full swing, and will bear fruit in 2008. Whirl, baby, whirl.

[Nikki]

So is the A/C going to turn off?

[Artz 330]

when u start of stop the engine, it eats more gas. Im confused.

knowing BmW, lol, ever where we drive were gonna see all these BMW owners getting honked at for not leaving the traffic light ASAP. lol

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Nikki

So is the A/C going to turn off?

Im guessing it will be made electrically driven, just like the power steering will

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Artz 330

when u start of stop the engine, it eats more gas. Im confused.

Not with the new Direct Injection engines and super efficient starting systems

[findtom]

That would be soooo incredibly annoying.

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Im guessing it will be made electrically driven, just like the power steering will

Hmm, that's cool. It doesn't really seem too much of a hassle to me because I've stalled once in the road and all you have to do is just tap the start button and it starts right back up in a split second.

[rchanou]

you think our e90's will be more sought after since we won't have this system?

[E90Fleet]

Automatic engine start/stop serves to prevent the loss of primary energy and is activated whenever the engine is idling. The automatic start/stop technology used by BMW switches off the drive unit for example when stopping at traffic light. Then, to start the engine again, all the driver has to do is press the
clutch pedal. Provisional calculations based on the EU test cycle show that this function alone is able to reduce the average fuel consumption of a
BMW 3 Series by up to 0.5 litres/100 kilometres.

[E90Fleet]

Dont worry people, this system is designed with the new types of engines with high pressure fuel systems and the start is said to be instant, just like a electric motor ( on or off instantly)

No having to wait for the starter motor to spin the engine a few times to start it.

[Nikki]

Is this definitely going to be in the USA? It says it's on the 1, 3, and 5 series, so it is a european release. Is the 1 series coming here? Please say yes! lol

[3s-a-charm]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

On the Road
We drove a preproduction 3 Series equipped with a stratified charge normally aspirated inline six, Brake Energy Regeneration, an electric water pump and electric-assist steering. Special screens in our car were rigged up to show whether the lean-burn or regen modes were active. Although traffic on public roads prevented spirited driving, we got a flavor for its drivability.

The transition from lean-burn to homogeneous charge operation was seamless; the engine was smooth and tractable when pulling from any engine speed. Most notable was the large envelope over which lean-burn operation was active. If it weren't for the screen, we'd have never known. Regenerative braking, however, was detectable, but barely — it felt like the brakes would continue hauling the car down a bit faster than we really intended. We expect this will be fully sorted by the time it reaches production.

What was most significant was that there was no indication that we were driving anything other than a normal 3 Series. This seems to validate BMW's short-term powertrain strategy, though we'll have to take BMW's word on the total real-world fuel savings it produces. The march of full hybrids is inevitable, and the technology has already been integrated into vehicles of several types. Just as BMW is spreading the incremental efficiency advantages of select technologies over various vehicles, so can full hybrid technology. Accordingly, BMW's joint venture with GM and DaimlerChrysler in developing full hybrid systems is in full swing, and will bear fruit in 2008. Whirl, baby, whirl.

... Yah, but can you beat a 350z?

Just kidding - good to see BMW is pioneering new technology and implementing it for the masses. Kudos!

[rchanou]

so this is part of a package? and then it will become standard in european cars in 2008? will this be standard in US cars?

[E90Fleet]

BMW will start introducing these systems some time next year

Exactly which models will have them isnt known yet, but some will make its appearance on the E92 330i

Dont think USA has the correct fuel yet, so will wait a bit for the new DI engines ( still need to find out ho they are making the 335i work there )

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by rchanou

so this is part of a package? and then it will become standard in european cars in 2008? will this be standard in US cars?

Id say it all will be standard everywhere in the next 4 years or so

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by findtom

That would be soooo incredibly annoying.

I agree. I also think it's going to wear the ignition system and starter out very quickly for many owner. Boy, the problems they'll have with that system will have people

[Gearcraft]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I agree. I also think it's going to wear the ignition system and starter out very quickly for many owner. Boy, the problems they'll have with that system will have people

i was thininking of that too. cause sometimes i step on and off the clutch just to inch my car closer when the light is red. sometimes to let other drivers squeeze in. so im also wondering how quickly it would wear the parts thats used for starting the car.

but i also think BMW knows what they're doing. we'll see what happens.