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BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept: Official Details Page 2

 
8 13,679 views Aug 29, 2009
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BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

Is this the future look of BMW? BMW only says the grand tourer body uses aerodynamics extensively as functional design elements. A low front end and active louvers cool the drivetrain when needed, and close to improve airflow when unnecessary. The racing-inspired details continue with well-managed airflow--so tightly tuned, the EfficientDynamics concept generates a coefficient of drag of 0.22, while today's best production cars sit at 0.24 (pointedly, that car is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe.)

By BMW's measure, the EfficientDynamics concept sits in the midst of BMW's high-performance coupe range. It measures 181.1 inches long, 74.8 inches wide, and 48.8 inches tall, and weighs 3076 pounds. The concept has 5.3 cubic feet of luggage space, enough for two golf bags.

The body of the EfficientDynamics concept is lightweight in design and execution. The suspension and shell are aluminum, the roof and door skins autochromic polycarbonate glass. Inside, it's more of the same: Kevlar frames the seats, and connects them to the center console, but elsewhere, sustainability is penned into the colors and materials chosen.

LED lighting inside has ambient hues, while the headlights and taillights are linked to the ambient lighting to shift its color and intensity, depending on exterior conditions. A head-up display and night vision are configured into the gauges and driver displays.

Sophisticated software underpins virtually every system of the EfficientDynamics concept. That software takes constant readings from the car's systems and interprets the data to enable more efficient operation. An example: the navigation system's traffic data can cue the drivetrain to shut down the concept's cooling fans to prepare it for more efficient highway operation. Even the air conditioning and electric power-steering sensitivity are constantly tweaked in this way for optimum performance.

MotorAuthority is headed to Germany in a few weeks to bring you more on the Vision EfficientDynamics concept, live from Frankfurt. And, in tandem with the EfficientDynamics concept, we'll bring you the latest on the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid and BMW 7-Series ActiveHybrid, too. For all of High Gear Media's live coverage of the show and these new hybrids, follow the links below--or write your own preview of the show, the cars and the concepts by signing up to become a High Gear Media contributor.

MORE:

TheCarConnection: 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show
MotorAuthority Covers the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show
 GreenCarReports: 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Green Cars

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HI-RES GALLERY: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept




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Comments (8)

  1. By bepsf Posted: 8/29/2009 5:48pm PDT

    "The hybrid powertrain is actually two distinct applications, a "conventional" hybrid system applied to the rear wheels and a hybrid motor hooked to the front wheels. The rear-wheel hybrid system operates in tandem with the diesel engine, while the front system operates on battery power alone."
    Um, the front motor isn't a hybrid without an IC engine component...
    ...therefore, it's called an "Electric" motor
     
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  2. By  gazzed Posted: 8/29/2009 6:04pm PDT

    I think it's a really cool concept from the guys at BMW, although it slices through the air at a very low 0.22 late production Porsche 924 achieved a drag coefficient of 0.24 without resorting to a lot of aero add-ons and that was a long time ago.. It has a lot aerodynamic features especially those floating body panels that doubles as wings/winglets which is largely F1 inspired, dunno about the purpose of those twin-kidney grille opening and having an ambient l.e.d. lighting on them are though. Fantastic performance and fuel economy ( 0-60mph = 4.8 and 63mpg! ) from a 1.5 3cyl. turbodiesel with the help of 2 in-board electric motors wow!
     
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  3. fb_1071016701 avatar fb_1071016701 Posted: 8/30/2009 7:22am PDT

    It is an eye catching and attention grabbing conccept for all the right reasons. It certainly looks the part and knowing BMW it will most likely perform as well as it looks.
     
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  4. By TZ Posted: 8/30/2009 10:03am PDT

    So BMW knocked 275 lbs off the weight of 328 Coupe or 507 lbs off a 328xi coupe, and we are to be impressed by the weight savings?! This car is still over 3000 lbs!! A Honda Insight (although it is 9 inches shorter) is able to come in at 2723 lbs for a production ready hybrid. Yes I know it is a concept car, but BMW sure seems to be making it more complicated than it needs to be. Think how expensive it will be to fix or maintain........bottom line a 2500lb. curb weight (or less) would be impressive, 3076lbs is not. Ford built a composite LTD in 1979 and it weighed 2500lbs vs the production versions 3740 lbs. curb weight (and the LTD was 209 inches long vs BMW's 181). A BMW with the dimentions listed, a curb weight of 2000 - 2200 lbs, seats 4, costs $40K, and a turbo diesel engine would be impressive and FUN! If this car were to make it to production as is, ti would probably cost as much as a Tesla roadster.
     
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  5. By  Alister Posted: 8/30/2009 9:52pm PDT

    They cancelled their F1 program for this????? Ten years from now we will all be saying two things. 1.Remember hybrids? 2. Wow, that does'nt sound like a diesel.
    I'm stunned! The only thing out there with this is the styling.
     
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  6. By  Used truck listings Posted: 8/31/2009 12:37am PDT

    It’s amazing what car manufacturers claim in their concepts, isn’t it? The great thing is, nobody can prove them wrong! :)
    btw, looks quite similar to the Citroen GT Concept around the rear. I think. No bad thing!
     
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  7. By Tigersworld Posted: 8/31/2009 4:34pm PDT

    EfficientDynamics means to me under 20k if it is going to be called "Dynamic" no where did it mention price. When they dont give ball park price up front WATCH OUT you will pay for it. Sorry I'll stick around with my daily driver 09 R1 Yamaha and wait for 2nd and 3rd generation vehicals like this.
     
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  8. By Bob Saget Posted: 2/8/2011 8:25pm PST

    Hi I just felt like commenting because this car looks cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
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