Munich. The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen has reached the next development phase on the road to series production: Current prototypes are undergoing a comprehensive testing programme; in parallel, the third-generation fuel cell system is entering a new assembly phase at the Hydrogen Competence Centre in Munich. At the same time, preparations for industrialisation and future series production of the hydrogen fuel cell system are underway at the engine facility in Steyr, Austria.

With these steps, the BMW Group is systematically driving the development of its first hydrogen production vehicle. The primary focus is on further validation of the overall system, preparations for industrialisation and the integration of fuel cell technology into a vehicle concept with typical BMW driving dynamics.

“Our ambition for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is clear: a true BMW – with Sheer Driving Pleasure. A perfectly coordinated overall system is crucial for this. Current testing demonstrates how the fuel cell system, high-voltage battery and electric drive train are already successfully integrated and how systematically we are developing the technology towards series production,” says Josef Hochreiter, head of Hydrogen Vehicles at the BMW Group.

Focus on systems integration, efficiency and driving dynamics 

Current testing is focused on validation of the overall system under demanding environmental and operating conditions. The development teams validate the functionality of all components within the integrated vehicle system and optimise the complex control of the systems, even under high loads. The aim is to ensure the full performance capabilities of the drive train at all times, while further optimising BMW's hallmark driving dynamics in the fuel cell electric vehicle.

Current testing confirms the coordinated interaction between the fuel cell system, electric motor, high-voltage battery, BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage and Energy Master. The innovative high-voltage battery and the Energy Master, as the high-voltage system’s central control unit, enable higher recuperation performance and therefore increase overall system efficiency. At the same time, development aims to achieve driving performance on a par with the BMW iX5, including a target acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in less than five seconds.

Fuel cell system enters next phase of construction

Alongside vehicle testing, the next prototype assembly phase for the third-generation fuel cell system is getting underway at the Hydrogen Competence Centre in Munich. The focus is on finalising and validating the testing methodology, as well as further preparations for industrialisation.

The previous prototype phase centred on component buildability and basic qualification of suppliers.

The upcoming process steps establish the necessary conditions for robust and efficient manufacturing processes, making a significant contribution to future series production. Series production of fuel cell systems will take place at BMW Group Plant Steyr in the future.

“Prototype assembly is about much more than manufacturing individual components. Each phase helps us optimise processes, gain experience and systematically share this knowledge with the teams in Steyr. In this way, we are laying the foundation for the next steps on the road to industrialisation,” says Claudia Stephan, head of Technology Development and Fuel Cell Prototype Assembly at the BMW Group.

Industrialisation: Close cooperation between development in Munich and series production in Steyr

With the start of this new assembly phase, the project has reached another important development step on the road to industrialisation. For this purpose, the first test benches and manufacturing equipment have already been set up at BMW Group Plant Steyr, with employees being trained in stages. The insights gained in this way form the basis for further industrialisation steps and the subsequent production ramp-up.

Hydrogen as additional electrical drive train option

With the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, the BMW Group continues to pursue its technology-open approach. Hydrogen can supplement battery-electric vehicles where high range, short refuelling times and high versatility are required.

With a targeted range of up to 750 kilometres* (WLTP), refuelling in less than five minutes and fully-electric driving, fuel cell technology opens up additional possibilities for locally emission-free individual mobility.z

Under the “HyPowerDrive” project, the German Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) is funding the development of the powertrain and tank system for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen as part of IPCEI Hy2Move. The federal government is providing funding of 191 million euros. The project is also being (co-)financed by the state of Bavaria with a total of 82 million euros. The funding is administered by Projektträger Jülich (PtJ) and coordinated by NOW GmbH.

Questions and answers

How is BMW integrating hydrogen into its product line-up?

Following successful global testing of the pilot fleet, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be the first hydrogen-powered BMW Group production model released onto the market. Going forward, the new BMW X5 will offer customers the choice between a battery-electric drive train, plug-in hybrid, petrol, diesel or hydrogen fuel cell technology.

What is currently being tested in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen?

The focus of the current testing is on the interaction of all drive system components. This includes the fuel cell system, high-voltage battery, electric motor, hydrogen tanks and the overall system control unit. Efficiency, driving performance and driving dynamics will also be examined under different operating conditions.

How does the fuel cell system work?

Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen from the tanks reacts with oxygen from the ambient air in an electrochemical reaction. This generates the electric current that drives the electric motor and powers the vehicle. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen uses the third-generation fuel cell system co-developed by the BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation.

Where will the fuel cell system be produced going forward?

The BMW Group is preparing for future series production of the fuel cell system at BMW Group Plant Steyr. At the same time, the competence centres in Munich and Steyr are developing and assembling prototypes, while gaining experience for industrialisation. Additional system components are being manufactured at the BMW Group facility in Landshut.

What are the advantages of hydrogen fuel cell technology?

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer locally emission-free driving, combining electric propulsion with short refuelling times. For the BMW Group, fuel cell technology supplements battery-electric vehicles primarily where high range and high versatility are required.

Munich. The BMW Group is now offering customers even broader scope for personalising analysis of their driving stats in the My BMW App and MINI App. The latest update allows drivers to view their personal carbon footprint for the first time.

“Our usage research shows: The information in My Trips is one of the most popular features in the app,” says Dirk Wiedmann, Senior Vice President Sales Steering and Strategy, Digitalization. “We are now expanding this successful function with carbon footprint calculation, giving our customers simple and straightforward access to sustainability-related information via a popular and widely used channel.”

Emissions from vehicle production and use: two sets of figures make up the driver’s personal footprint. 
The personal carbon footprint function has been designed with a technology-open approach and is available for vehicles with combustion engines, as well as plug-in hybrid and fully electric models. At launch, this feature will be rolled out across selected models in various European countries*. Calculation of the personal footprint is based on two central sets of figures.

• Emissions from vehicle use: My Trips analyses the routes the driver has completed and uses the energy consumed in the process to work out the CO₂ emitted. To this end, CO₂ equivalents are calculated using data from the International Energy Agency (IEA). For vehicles with combustion engines, the app calculates the amount of CO₂ emitted based on the fuel consumed. For battery-electric vehicles, it shows the emissions generated when using the average national energy mix – and also tells the driver how high emissions would be by comparison if green energy was used.
• Emissions from vehicle production: These are emissions generated during the manufacturing process. Emissions are recorded from the processing of raw materials, procurement of materials, transport logistics and the production of the model at hand. The BMW Group already sets out the emissions figures for numerous models in the form of Vehicle Footprint Reports. These are calculated according to recognised standards for life cycle assessments and certified by the TÜV Rheinland agency. They can also be downloaded from the BMW Group website.

Ready for electric mobility: My BMW App helps with the transition.

The My BMW App also includes the Electric Vehicle Analysis introduced last summer. This function allows customers whose BMW is powered by a combustion engine to simulate how well a fully electric BMW fits their personal driving profile. Here, the customer selects an electric BMW model as an alternative vehicle in the app. Once the combustion-engined model has made at least 200 journeys and covered a distance of 2,000 kilometres (over 1,240 miles), the analysis shows the journeys the user could have completed on a single charge with the electric vehicle selected, and also flags up charging stations close to frequently visited destinations. More than 100,000 customers had used this analysis by May 2025.

Over 14 million customers around the world use the My BMW App and MINI App. The My Trips function is available in more than 90 countries and is actively used by 1.9 million users.

* The new function is available to users of vehicles for which a TÜV-certified carbon footprint has been calculated. The feature will launch in Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Luxemburg and Switzerland, and be available in the BMW 1 Series (code 81GE), BMW 2 Series (31GH), BMW X2 (71GM, 21GM), BMW X3 (11GR, 31GP, 65GP), BMW 5 Series (31FK, 11JF, 71FJ), BMW 5 Series Touring (11HH, 11GW, 21GV), BMW M5 (81FK) and BMW iX (41CF) and MINI Cooper (11GC), MINI Cooper C (11GD), MINI Aceman (31GC) and MINI Countryman (41GA, 11GA).

In the event of enquiries please contact:                                                                   

Corporate Communications

Wieland Brúch
BMW Product Communications
Electromobility and Sustainability
Phone: +49-176-601-72652
E-mail: Wieland.Bruch@bmw.de  

Martin Tholund
Spokesperson BMW Digital Car, Electronics and Software, Technology Partnerships, Digital Products and Services
Phone: +49-151-601-77126
E-Mail: Martin.Tholund@bmwgroup.com  

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

E-mail: presse@bmw.de



The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

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Munich/Landshut. The BMW Group is presenting its next leap forward in the field of electric drive technology – and in the process ushering in a new era of all-electric driving. At the Tech Days event in Landshut, the company has provided some initial insights into the development and production of high-voltage batteries and electric drive systems using the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology. Every fully electric Neue Klasse vehicle will enjoy the benefits. The first Neue Klasse model will go into series production later this year at Plant Debrecen in Hungary. Below is an overview of the technology highlights:

• The Energy Master intelligent central control unit on the high-voltage battery – developed by the BMW Group and produced at Plant Landshut.
• A new high-voltage battery concept that, together with the BMW cylindrical cell, promises to bring about a technological quantum leap – including significant improvements in energy density, charging speed and range.
• The BMW Group also demonstrates its technology-openness with electric drive systems – through the use of different electric motor types: SSM and ASM.
• A modular approach to electric motor production gives the BMW Group an exceptional degree of flexibility.
• The BMW Group pools together expertise from the entire electric mobility value chain in Bavaria and Austria – from development, via purchasing and production, to recycling.
• The BMW Group demonstrates both technology-openness and full expertise across all areas of electric mobility.

Adopting a technology-open approach while setting the pace in electric mobility

“For the BMW Group, electric mobility is the future and a key area of growth. We are leading the way with this drivetrain technology. At the same time, we are deliberately taking a technology-open approach, recognizing that mobility needs vary between different regions of the world,” explains Dr Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Purchasing and Supplier Network. “We want to offer our customers the best drive concept for every need. It is possible to do both: offer the best drive technology for every need and be at the forefront of electric mobility.”

Slimmer, faster, further: the high-voltage batteries for Gen6

With the new sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology (Gen6 for short), the BMW Group is making a technological quantum leap. Improvements on the product side include a 30% faster charging speed and 30% increase in range, with certain models achieving even higher figures. Added to which, the Gen6 high-voltage battery concept benefits from the new 800V technology. Gen6 will make its debut this year in the Neue Klasse and subsequently be used to drive models across the BMW Group’s fully electric product range. The concept for the Gen6 high-voltage batteries is fundamentally new and will find applications in all vehicle segments – right up to the high-performance models from BMW M GmbH. Its new, even slimmer design allows the high-voltage battery to be integrated into a spread of different models, regardless of vehicle height. The high-voltage battery takes on the role of a structural component in the bodies of the Neue Klasse models (“pack-to-open-body”), and the new cylindrical cells will be integrated directly into the high-voltage battery (“cell-to-pack”). The new BMW cylindrical cell has a 20% greater energy density than its predecessor, the Gen5 prismatic battery cell. And charging in both directions will be possible: the BMW Group has confirmed bidirectional charging as standard for Gen6.

Highly intelligent central control unit: the BMW Energy Master

All of the elements that enable this technological leap forward come together in the BMW Energy Master. This central control unit is positioned on the high-voltage battery and provides the interface for high- and low-voltage power supply and for data from the high-voltage battery. It also controls the power supply for the electric motor and vehicle electrical system and ensures the safe and intelligent operation of the high-voltage battery. The BMW Group has filed a whole series of new patent applications for the vehicle electrical system, including its electronic fuses. Both the hardware and software of the Energy Master were developed fully in-house at the BMW Group. This ensures technological developments and updates for vehicles can be implemented independently and in real time via Remote Software Upgrades, providing a particular benefit for customers.

“Local for local” approach for high-voltage battery assembly and supplier network

The high-voltage batteries for the Neue Klasse are assembled in five new production facilities that the BMW Group has located close to its vehicle plants as part of a “local for local” approach. For example, cutting-edge assembly locations for Gen6 high-voltage batteries are taking shape in Irlbach-Straßkirchen (Lower Bavaria), Debrecen (Hungary), Shenyang (China), San Luis Potosí (Mexico) and Woodruff, near Spartanburg (USA). This approach safeguards production even in the event of unforeseen political and economic events. In addition, the existing locations are being strengthened, with jobs both secured and created. The “local for local” principle continues in the supplier network for battery cells: in order to cover the demand for Gen6, the BMW Group has reached contractual agreements for five battery cell factories – spread across Europe, China and the USA – with various partners.

“Cell-to-pack” and “pack-to-open-body”

Production of the Gen6 high-voltage batteries follows the “cell-to-pack” and “pack-to-open-body” principles. “Cell-to-pack” involves positioning the cylindrical cells – manufactured by the suppliers according to BMW Group specifications – directly in the housing of the high-voltage battery, without the intermediate step of a module being produced. “Pack-to-open-body” refers to the high-voltage battery’s new role as a structural component in the vehicle architecture. Numerous innovations patented by the BMW Group can be found here.

Know-how from Bavaria and Austria – in demand around the world

Before series production of the high-voltage batteries gets underway worldwide, the production processes will be developed and pre-series batteries subjected to thorough testing. This will happen at the BMW Group pilot plants for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf, Hallbergmoos and Munich. The new series production plants around the world will then be ready. The product and process expertise is centred in Bavaria. Production of the Energy Master will take place at Plant Landshut, which will then supply all the high-voltage battery assembly plants around the world. There, the highly intelligent control unit will be installed on the high-voltage battery. The electric motor with sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology is produced at Plant Steyr in Austria, which is also home to a development centre for electric drive systems and thermal management.

Production of the Energy Master at BMW Group Plant Landshut

A state-of-the-art production system for the BMW Energy Master is taking shape at Plant Landshut. The plant is currently producing the highly complex control unit in pre-series. Series production on the first production line will begin in August 2025, with a further expansion stage to follow in mid-2026. This is the first time the development and production of this central control unit has taken place in-house at the BMW Group. “As the company’s largest in-house component manufacturer, Landshut plays an important role for the Neue Klasse,” says Dr Joachim Post. “The plant is an innovation hub and a driver of transformation.” Around 200 people will be employed in the Energy Master production area at Landshut when production begins, rising to as many as 700 people as it ramps up further. The BMW Group has channelled investment in the high hundreds of millions of euros into the expansion of electric mobility at Plant Landshut since 2020, strengthening both the production facility itself and Germany’s status as an industrial powerhouse for the long term. The modular manufacturing system used to produce the Energy Master was also designed fully in-house by the BMW Group. It is supplied with subcomponents by a supply chain set up by the BMW Group. This extends to the n-tier supply chain for supply-critical components such as semiconductors. The benefits of this set-up can be seen in terms of both costs and supply security. The scalable production system enables the company to respond quickly and flexibly to market requirements. The high degree of automation, involving up to 400 robots in the final expansion stage, maximises efficiency. Comprehensive in-process monitoring, which includes the use of AI-based camera systems, and 100-per-cent end-of-line system checks in a clean-room environment ensure optimum quality.

Different recycling processes within the value chain

As electric mobility ramps up, there is an increasing focus on recycling of high-voltage batteries at the end of their lifecycle. Under a long-term partnership with SK tes – a leading provider of innovative technology lifecycle solutions – cobalt, nickel and lithium from end-of-life batteries are recovered from the BMW Group and integrated into the supply chain for the manufacture of new batteries. This closed-loop approach increases the efficiency and resilience of the BMW Group as part of a circular economy. The BMW Group will follow a similar path in the USA, Mexico and Canada up to 2026 with a separate partnership.

Innovative direct recycling at the BMW Group

The BMW Group is also exploring other recycling options in the value creation process. One example of this is the direct recycling method developed in-house. The BMW Group is working with its joint venture Encory to set up a competence centre for battery cell recycling in Lower Bavaria, where the company will put its direct recycling ideas into practice. This innovative process will enable residual materials from battery cell production and whole battery cells to be mechanically broken down into their valuable constituent components. The raw materials obtained in this way will be re-used directly in the pilot production process for battery cells at the company’s competence centres.

Technology-open approach for electric mobility: the new e-drive system of Gen6

The BMW Group has retained the principle of an electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) for its Gen6 power unit. On this type of synchronous motor, the magnetic field in the rotor is generated by windings fed with direct current rather than permanent magnets. In this way, the strength of the rotor’s magnetic field can be optimally adjusted to the prevailing load conditions. This results in both excellent levels of efficiency at customer-relevant operating points and constant power output at high rotational speeds. As with the Gen5 version, the synchronous motor will be positioned above the rear axle and feature a compact housing incorporating the electric drive unit, power electronics and transmission. Many of the motor’s technical details were created with the help of patented expertise, with the non-potted rotor alone accounting for more than ten patent applications.

Neue Klasse additionally incorporates ASM technology

The Gen6 powertrain employs a second, additional electric motor technology in the form of the asynchronous motor (ASM). Here, instead of being generated by permanent magnets (PSM) or electrical excitation (EESM), the rotor’s magnetic field is induced by the stator. On this type of motor, the rotor takes the form of a metal cage. The asynchronous motor offers the advantage of a more compact design and superior cost efficiency. The ASM motor variants will be fitted at the front axle of Neue Klasse cars with BMW xDrive.

Extensive improvements to EESM technology

Besides the addition of ASM technology, the EESM technology has also undergone a major upgrade for Gen6: rotor, stator and inverter have all been fully designed for the new 800V architecture of the Gen6 tech in order to maximise drive system performance and efficiency. This has been further helped by a complete redesign of the oil and water cooling systems. In addition to this, the experts from the BMW Group have also succeeded in improving the electric motor and central housing in terms of their weight and rigidity too. The transmission still uses a two-stage helical design, but has been further optimised by enhancements to its geometry and cooling, lower friction levels and more pleasant acoustics. The electrically excited synchronous motor’s “brain”, the inverter, now features 800V technology along with silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors to boost efficiency. The inverter is completely integrated into the electric motor’s housing. Its task is to convert the DC power supply from the high-voltage battery to AC for use in the electric motor. The inverter was developed in-house by the BMW Group and is produced at Plant Steyr in Austria.

Lower weight, costs and energy losses – greater efficiency in the vehicle

The results obtained from intelligently incorporating new technologies into the electric powertrain while consistently enhancing existing systems make impressive reading. When compared to a Gen5 xDrive model, a future Neue Klasse model complete with EESM and ASM technology boasts the following improvements: energy losses have been reduced by 40%, costs by 20% and weight by 10%. By combining different types of electric motor, the BMW Group’s technology-open approach is therefore clearly in evidence within the field of electric mobility. In future, customers will be able to choose from models equipped with one, two, three or four electric motors to suit their individual preferences and requirements. The sixth generation BMW eDrive technology is a significant factor in the gain in overall vehicle efficiency of around 20 per cent for the Neue Klasse. This figure is based on a comparison with the current generation of all-electric vehicles from the BMW Group.

Modular concept provides crucial advantage for manufacturing electric motors

The manufacturing concept for the Gen6 electric drive system uses the principle of modular building blocks. This forms the basis for highly flexible manufacturing of various electric drive variants across the entire Neue Klasse model range. The modular "building block” concept leads to positive economies of scale and cost savings in development and production. It also has the effect of improving the scalability of production volumes. The modular approach ensures a high degree of flexibility in production, the supply networks and procurement.

The Gen6 electric drive systems: made in Steyr

Series production of the Gen6 electric drive systems will commence at BMW Group Plant Steyr in summer 2025. Pre-production already got underway at the Austrian facility in September 2024. The pre-production motors are undergoing rigorous testing and some are already being fitted in Neue Klasse test vehicles from Plant Debrecen. By 2030, the BMW Group will have invested over one billion euros at the site since the project’s launch in 2022 to expand its development and production expertise for electric drive systems. Thanks to the increase in capacity, the plant will retain its status as the BMW Group’s leading facility for drive systems. The plant has been developing and building combustion engines for the BMW and MINI brands for over 40 years. Plant Steyr’s many years of experience and high level of expertise in the field of drive systems make it the ideal site for manufacturing the Gen6 electric motors. It has an annual production capacity of 600,000 electric drive units. Diesel and petrol engines continue to be manufactured there alongside the electric motors. By 2030, around half of the on-site employees should be working in electric mobility – a vital step for safeguarding the more than 4,700 jobs at the plant in the long term. In future, all key components of the innovative, highly integrated electric drive unit – i.e. the rotor, stator, transmission, inverter and housing – will be produced at Steyr. This will include manufacturing the inverters in an in-house clean room environment for the first time, thereby taking the engine plant into the realm of electrical engineering. The electric drive components will be built on two new assembly lines at Steyr.

Thermal management: complex interaction, crucial for performance
Thermal management involves highly complex interaction between various systems in an electric vehicle and is of critical importance for a host of performance parameters, including range, real-world consumption, acceleration and charging time. Thermal management is a question of constantly keeping the temperature of the electric motor, power electronics and high-voltage battery in the optimum range, while maintaining standards of passenger comfort at the same time. Efficient thermal management is important for fast charging too. Here, the battery temperature must be kept within a defined window in order to make optimum use of the available charging capacity. Unlike combustion engines, electric motors give off little heat. This means that, depending on the operating state, the battery and the passenger cell have to be not only cooled, but heated too. The Steyr site develops the thermal management systems for all electric vehicles from the BMW Group. The plant’s development centre is also responsible for the brain at the heart of the electric motor – the inverter.

BMW Group Plant Landshut – a multi-talented component manufacturer

BMW Group Plant Landshut is the BMW Group’s largest component plant anywhere in the world, supplying components to all the company’s vehicle and drive system plants. Its workforce of around 3,700 employees produces a broad spectrum of cutting-edge components for vehicles from the BMW Group. Working closely with the BMW Group’s Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) in Munich, Plant Landshut plays a pivotal role as a hub of innovation for the automotive industry. It develops pioneering technologies and manufacturing processes that serve to maintain the company’s competitive edge. Over the course of the Neue Klasse project, the site is investing some €200 million in its light metal foundry to increase annual production capacity for the electric motor housings. The Injector Casting (ICA) process developed and patented in Landshut is a prime example of the plant’s innovative strength. This globally unique process is used to manufacture the electric motors’ highly complex aluminium housings that set new standards for lightweight design and functional integration.

In the event of enquiries please contact:

Corporate Communications

Christian Marxt

Spokesperson Production Network, Powertrain and High-voltage Batteries

Mobile: +49-151-601-79158

E-mail: Christian.Marxt@bmwgroup.com

Carolin Seidel

Spokesperson BMW Group Plant Landshut

Mobile: +49-151-601-90340

E-mail: Carolin.Seidel@bmwgroup.com

Florian Moser

Team Lead Purchasing and Supplier Network, Spokesperson Dr Joachim Post

Mobile: +49-151-601-62847

E-mail: Florian.Moser@bmwgroup.com

Bernhard Ederer

Spokesperson Drive Technology, Battery, Charging, Efficient Dynamics

Mobile: +49-176-601-28556

E-mail: Bernhard.Ederer@bmwgroup.com

Diana Schaidnagel

Spokesperson Sustainability

Mobile: +49-151-601-38407

E-mail: Diana.Schaidnagel@bmw.de

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

Munich. BMW Group and Pirelli have worked together to unveil new 20-inch P Zero Winter 2 tires for the BMW 7 Series which focus on range capabilities, thanks to its “A class” European labelling for rolling resistance. This collaborative effort sets a new benchmark especially for all-electric vehicle tires, offering drivers an exceptional driving experience with extended range, uncompromised comfort, and outstanding performance in winter conditions on different surfaces.

All tires at BMW are developed specifically for BMW models in accordance with the highest quality and technology standards and therefore get the BMW specific Star-Mark as a seal of approval. This ensures that tires on BMW models meet the stringent requirements set by BMW, guaranteeing optimal performance and safety. This is in line with Pirelli’s Perfect Fit strategy, which aims to develop specific tires for the cars to be equipped with.

Compared to summer tires, winter tires impact the car’s range due to a higher rolling resistance because of their compounds and tread pattern designed to offer grip on snowy and wet cold asphalt. The rolling resistance of a tire describes the force required for rolling motion, directly influencing the range of a vehicle. The new 20-inch development in collaboration with Pirelli compensates for these disadvantages resulting in an extended range of up to 50km for the all-electric BMW i7 in comparison to a standard winter tire. The technological advancements in the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 can be attributed to significant breakthroughs, particularly in the areas of tread pattern and tread compound.

"This collaboration between BMW and Pirelli represents a significant milestone in tire technology regarding range capabilities for winter tires" said Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Development Driving Pleasure at the BMW Group. "We are proud to partner with Pirelli to offer our customers an exceptional driving experience that combines the known high level of snow and wet performance with a significant positive impact for our all-electric vehicles during winter times. These tires exemplify our commitment to pushing the boundaries of our cars in every dimension."

This new development from the BMW Group and Pirelli aligned with their sustainability goals by using renewable materials wherever technically appropriate and reducing the CO2 footprint of their plants. This partnership showcases BMW and Pirelli's shared vision for environmentally conscious mobility and their dedication to further push the limits of tire technology. The tire will be available for the BMW 7 Series starting from August 2024. The goal is to roll out this new technology to other future BMW models, starting next with the new BMW X3 in the second half of 2024.


If you have any questions, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Dieter Falkensteiner,
Spokesperson Driving Dynamics
Telephone: +49-15160151813
E-Mail: Dieter.Falkensteiner@bmw.de

Liane Drews,
Head of Product Communications BMW Luxury and Upper Midsize Class
Spokesperson BMW 5 Series, BMW 6 Series, BMW 7 Series
Telephone: +49-170-2272147
E-Mail: Liane.Drews@bmw.de

Almut Stollberg,
Head of Communication Innovation, Design, Technology, Digital Car / Communication E
Telephone: +49-151-601-96543
E-Mail: Almut.Stollberg@bmwgroup.de

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
E-Mail: presse@bmw.de

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

BMW Group Technology Office USA Celebrates 25 Years in Silicon Valley with the North American Debut of the BMW 
Vision Neue Klasse. 

• Advanced R&D facility is one of six BMW Group offices located in key technology hotspots around the world focused on emerging technologies, user-centered thinking, and product design to envision the future of BMW Group products.
• BMW Group Member of the Board of Management, Development, Frank Weber to headline a panel discussion entitled “Humanizing Tech,” moderated by David Pogue.
• BMW Group Technology Office USA opens its doors to media, stakeholders, industry leaders, and partners for a series of immersive workshops, exclusive product previews, and mixed reality, multi-sensory interactive driving experiences. 

Mountain View, California – December 2023 The BMW Group Technology Office USA is celebrating 25 years in Silicon Valley with an event featuring immersive workshops, exclusive technology demonstrations, and exciting mixed reality, multi-sensory driving experiences at Levi's Stadium. The celebration will be highlighted by the North American debut of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse and a panel discussion entitled “Humanizing Technology,” with insights from BMW Group Member of the Board of Management, Development, Frank Weber. Weber will be joined by Futurist, Neuroscientist & Technologist Poppy Crum, Head of Trust & Safety at Airbnb Naba Banerjee, and Head of Product at Meta for Work Micah Collins. The conversation will be moderated by renowned technology expert, David Pogue.

“Cutting-edge technological ideas with a lot of potential, developed in the world’s beating heart of high-tech, and perfected in our worldwide innovation network. This is how our BMW Tech Office in Mountain View works,” said Weber. “I am very excited to see what visionary impulses for our ground-breaking innovations our team will keep on creating in the future.”

As an advanced R&D facility, BMW Group Technology Office USA is focused on emerging technologies, user-centered thinking, and product design to envision the future of BMW Group products.  A team of creative thinkers, visionaries, and engineers are charged with exploring what’s possible, and pushing the envelope to create the best, and most innovative experiences for BMW Group customers. For the first time the BMW Group Technology Office USA opens its doors to media, stakeholders and partners for an inside look and showcase of some of their past, present, and future projects.

„Innovation is in the core of the BMW brand. Our global Technologies Offices Network connects us with the TOP tech regions worldwide. 25 years ago the BMW Technology Office USA has initiated this successful collaboration model. Our team in California has established a large number of fruitful collaborations and many meaningful innovations for our products and services. When I think of the multitude of projects that are currently in the pipeline there are a lot more awesome things to come.” says Rudolf Bencker Senior VP BMW Group Inventions and Innovations Management.

Global Network. 
BMW Group Technology USA became the first BMW Group technology research and development office located outside of Munich when it first opened in Silicon Valley in 1998. Originally based in Palo Alto, the office moved to its current location in Mountain View in 2011.
Today, BMW Group Technology Office USA it is part of a global network of BMW Group technology offices, which are strategically based in key technology hotspots around the world and a critical aspect of the company’s open innovation approach. In addition to Silicon Valley, and Munich, locations include Seoul, Shanghai, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo.

The goal and collective mission of this expansive network is to collect local insight, identify emerging technologies, and work with key partners to envision the future of BMW Group products and customer experiences.

The North American Premiere of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse.
First shown at the International Auto Show (IAA) in Munich in September, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse will make its North American debut. Built on the three pillars of electrification, digitalization, and circularity, the Vision Neue Klasse represents a “New Class” of BMW vehicles which will begin arriving in 2025.

Immersive Workshops – what will be presented:
In a series of workshops, participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the past and present projects developed at the facility, including:

• The AR/VR Journey and its Evolution: Explorations in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), and potential future applications - including hands-on demonstrations of early product prototypes.
• Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA):  A preview of BMW Group’s next generation in-vehicle voice assistant technology.

• Innovation Mindset: Insight from the office’s team of explorers, creators, and builders, and how being located in the U.S. and Silicon Valley impacts their work, featuring a rare look at some previously unreleased projects.
• Electric Vehicle Battery Development: A discussion on future electric vehicle battery technology with BMW Group’s independent venture capital firm, BMW i Ventures, focused on their strategic investments in this space and collaboration with BMW Group Technology Office USA.

In addition: Interactive Driving Experiences.
A series of interactive driving experiences at Levi’s stadium - from a mixed-reality driving experience and a multi-sensory dynamic scent journey, to a first-ever in-car demonstration of Meta’s Quest headset.

• Mixed Reality Driving Experience: A demonstration of how BMW can use mixed reality technology to bring real cars onto virtual racetracks. In this interactive experience, participants will get behind the wheel of a BMW M4 and drive on a closed course while wearing a VR headset to experience the merging of the virtual and physical worlds.
• Innovation Mindset – Intelligent Dynamic Scent Journey: Attendees will go on a dynamic scent journey during this demonstration of project developed at BMW Group Technology Office USA, that went unreleased so far.  Passengers will enjoy a multisensory experience that is shaped by the context of the drive and the world around them. 

• Mixed Reality Meta Quest Driving Experience: BMW Group and Meta are pioneering research and exploring potential use cases for extended reality devices within the digital vehicle ecosystem. This is a first-time, in-vehicle demonstration of the ability to accurately display stable virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) content to passengers in a fast-moving car, even when making turns, going over speed bumps, and accelerating. By integrating Meta Quest’s tracking system with BMW’s sensor data, the researchers enabled a series of stable “car-locked” gaming, entertainment, productivity, and meditation experiences.

• Digital Key Demonstration: This session will discuss BMW’s critical role in developing an early proof of concept for using smartphones as a digital vehicle key, which has enabled an industry standard and opened the door for additional vehicle-related smartphone functionality.

 
In the event of enquiries please contact:
BMW Group Corporate Communications

Christophe Koenig
Head of BMW Group IT, Digital and Driving Experience Communications
Mobile: +49-176-601-56097
E-Mail: Chrsitophe.Koenig@bmw.de


Bernhard Ederer
Communication BMW Group Innovation, Powertrain Technologies
Mobile: +49-176-601-28556
E-Mail: Bernhard.Ederer@bmwgroup.com


Almut Stollberg 
Head of Communication BMW Group Innovation, Design, Technology, Digital Car
Mobile: +49-151-601-96543
E-Mail: Almut.Stollberg@bmw.com

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
E-Mail: presse@bmw.de

Munich. The heart of the BMW brand beats in the premium segment of the mid-range category. Along with the BMW 4 Series Coupé, BMW 4 Series Convertible and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé models, it is the BMW 3 Series that brings out the qualities that are key to hallmark brand driving pleasure in a particularly concentrated form. Now BMW is transferring the brand's characteristic core features to the age of electric mobility – the central purpose in developing the BMW i4. The BMW Group's first purely electrically powered model for the premium mid-range combines driving dynamics, sporty and elegant design, premium quality and the spacious comfort and functionality of a four-door Gran Coupé with locally emissions-free mobility. This heralds a new era of driving pleasure.

The future of electric mobility will be shaped by fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, for which the BMW iX3 – to be produced from 2020 onwards – will act as a pioneer, followed by the BMW iNEXT and the BMW i4. With fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, which also includes the latest innovations in the field of battery cells, the BMW i4 sets new standards in sporty performance, achieving a range of some 600 kilometres.

The development of the BMW i4 is part of a comprehensive product offensive by the BMW Group in the field of models with electrified drive. The company currently has the biggest range of all-electric and plug-in hybrid models within the competitive field. By 2023, the BMW Group will have 25 models with electrified drive in its program. With a model portfolio that includes efficient combustion engines as well as modern plug-in hybrid and purely electric drive, the BMW Group as a globally operating company is taking into account the varying requirements and preferences of its customers in different regions of the world. Irrespective of the type of drive selected, all current and future models feature hallmark brand driving pleasure as part of their specific characteristics.

Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology for optimised dynamics, efficiency and range.

The drive technology of the BMW i4 sets new standards in terms of power density, efficiency and range in locally emissions-free driving. The electric motor, power electronics, charging unit and high-voltage battery have been entirely newly developed. Together they form the BMW eDrive technology of the fifth generation, with which the BMW Group has made further significant advancements in the field of electrified drive. From 2020 onwards, fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology will be introduced first in the BMW iX3 and then in the BMW iNEXT and BMW i4. The electric motor developed for the BMW i4 delivers a maximum output of around 390 kW/530 hp, reaching the level of a V8 engine in current BMW models fitted with a combustion engine. Its spontaneous power delivery gives the BMW i4 outstanding performance characteristics and exceptionally high efficiency.

The fifth generation of BMW eDrive also includes a newly designed high-voltage battery featuring the latest battery cell technology. The design of the high-voltage battery developed for the BMW i4 is characterised by its extremely flat design and optimised energy density. With a weight of some 550 kilograms, it has an energy content of around 80 kWh. This gives the BMW i4 a range of approximately 600 kilometres.

Gran Coupé with characteristic design and performance features.

The all-electric BMW i4 will be produced from 2021 onwards and subsequently launched on the global automotive markets. The new model will be manufactured at the company's main plant in Munich, where other vehicles produced include the BMW 3 Series Sedan with conventional combustion engine and plug-in hybrid drive, the BMW 3 Series Touring with conventional drive and from summer 2020 also with plug-in hybrid drive, the BMW 4 Series Coupé and the BMW M4 Coupé (fuel consumption combined: 10.0 – 9.3 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 227 – 213 g/km). In addition to the sporty, elegant design that is typical of a 4-door coupé of the brand, the BMW i4 is characterised by impressive performance features. The BMW i brand's first Gran Coupé accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in around 4.0 seconds, achieving a top speed of more than 200 km/h.

A flexible vehicle architecture, the flat, low-positioned high-voltage battery and the compact drive technology create a high degree of freedom in realising a model-specific design. The BMW i4 combines the characteristic proportions of a 4-door coupé with the typical design features of a BMW i model. Dynamically stretched lines and a precise surface design go hand in hand with aerodynamically optimised exterior features as well as sustainability accentuations that are specific to BMW i. High entry and exit comfort for the rear passengers and a spacious, variable interior ensure high suitability for both day-to-day trips and long-distance travel. As such, the BMW i4 can be clearly identified as a BMW Gran Coupé – and equally clearly as an electrically powered vehicle.

Modular, flexible drive and battery storage technology.

The electric drive component of the BMW i4, its charging unit and high-voltage battery are all developed in-house by the BMW Group. Production is carried out in-house or according to BMW Group specifications. Here, the experience gained from development of the previous generations of BMW eDrive technology is consistently tapped into with the aim of optimising all components on an ongoing basis.

The BMW Group's comprehensive expertise in the field of electrified drive systems forms the basis for a scalable modular system whose components can be integrated into different vehicle concepts with great flexibility. Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology comprises a highly integrated drive system in which the electric motor, transmission and power electronics are accommodated in a single housing. This drive system is compatible with all vehicle concepts and will be available for different models in a range of output levels. The highly integrated design of the system allows a significant increase in power density as well as a reduction in weight and manufacturing effort. Production of future-generation electric motors will no longer require materials categorised as rare earths.

The next generation charging unit is characterised by a uniform package suitable for all future vehicle architectures. It can be used in plug-in hybrid models as well as in purely electrically powered vehicles and is designed for a charging capacity of up to 150 kW. This allows the high-voltage battery of the BMW i4 to be charged to around 80 per cent of its full energy content in around 35 minutes. This results in a charging time of around six minutes for a range of 100 kilometres.

In the field of high-voltage batteries, too, the advancements introduced with the fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology are based on the BMW Group's in-depth expertise and years of experience. The company has an exceptionally high level of know-how both in the field of battery cell technology and in the manufacture of model-specific high-voltage batteries. This lays the foundation for continuous optimisation of the batteries – both in future plug-in hybrid models and in purely electrically powered vehicles. The BMW Group has been manufacturing modules and model-specific high-voltage batteries for vehicles with electrified drive systems since 2013. An independently developed modular system with a flexible arrangement of the modules enables integration of batteries developed in-house into various vehicle concepts. Consistent ongoing development work is dedicated to optimising the basic characteristics of the battery cells as well as the structure of the modules and their arrangement in the respective model-specific storage unit. For example, the batteries used in the BMW i4 and other future electric vehicles have a higher number of cells per module, a reduced number of components, a more compact design and increased flexibility with regard to their geometry.

With the establishment of the Battery Cell Competence Centre in Munich, the BMW Group has further expanded its research and development expertise in this area, which is crucial to the future of electromobility. The focus is on fundamental research in areas where there is an impact on customer-related factors such as energy density, accessible peak output, service life, safety, charging characteristics, response at different temperatures and manufacturing costs. At the new Battery Cell Competence Centre, research is being conducted in particular into the potential for further optimisation of cell chemistry and cell design. The selection and composition of materials for the anode, cathode, electrolyte and separator as well as the format of the battery cells made of these materials will have a key impact on the quality of high-voltage batteries used in future models with electrified propulsion.

Please note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW Group headquarters in Germany. No adaptations have been made for the Canadian market.

Donington , 25 August 2015. BMW will be lining up for the FIA Formula E Championship once again in 2015/16 . The second season of the race series gets underway in Beijing on 17 October 2015, and BMW will be on hand as the Official Vehicle Partner.

The futuristic BMW i8 sports car (fuel consumption combined: 2.1 l/100 km / 134.5 mpg imp; CO2 emissions combined: 49 g/km) will once again see action as the Safety Car in the trailblazing race series for electrically-powered formula machines. And the all-electric (and therefore emission-free) BMW i3 (energy consumption combined: 12.9 kWh; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km) will perform the role of Medical Car, as it did in the series’ inaugural season. Added to which, a pair of BMW C evolution electric scooters and a BMW X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid (fuel consumption combined: 3.4–3.3 l/100 km / 83.1–85.6 mpg imp; CO2 emissions combined: 78–77 g/km; figures based on the EU test cycle, may vary depending on the tyre format specified) will be making their Formula E debuts, as models from other BMW Group brands join the BMW i cars in the eDrive family .

“BMW i and Formula E make a great match,” said Jörg Reimann, Vice President BMW Brand Experience. “The world governing body of motor sport, the FIA, is branching out in a new and extremely interesting direction with the FIA Formula E Championship – and we have been on board from the outset. The series got off to a highly successful start in its first year on the calendar, with its all-electric formula racing cars, tight street circuits running through the heart of major world cities and innovative ideas engaging fans via social networks. BMW has been involved in Formula E from the word go. It signed up as the Official Vehicle Partner to supply the BMW i8 Safety Car and BMW i3 Medical Car. And this commitment has given the company a platform on which to press its claim as a leader in electric mobility. We’ve succeeded in bringing the driving pleasure for which BMW is renowned to the attention of millions of people in major cities around the world. The ball is very much rolling now; in 2014 and 2015 we laid the foundations for a successful partnership, and it’s one which will continue into the second season of the championship in 2015/2016.”

Formula E will become an “open” championship in its second season. Compared with the inaugural edition of the series, in which all the cars were technically identical, eight of the ten teams will line up for the new season with their own technology. The technical changes will be concentrated on the powertrain – specifically the electric motor, the inverter, the transmission and the cooling system – and see the cars differing in terms of speeds, soundtrack and, above all, efficiency levels over the race distance.

The 2014/15 Formula E calendar featured e leven races in ten countries on three continents. Ten teams took their places on the grid for that opening season, each with two drivers at the wheel of standardised cars . Nelson Piquet Jr. wrapped up the title in the final race in London – and duly took his place in the history books as the first ever champion in this new series.

The new season will begin on 17 October 2015 and again take in eleven races in ten countries.

For further information on FIA Formula E go to: www.fiaformulae.com

Further information on official fuel consumption figures and specific CO2 emission values of new passenger cars is included in the following

guideline: “Leitfaden über Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen” (Guideline for fuel

consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained free of charge from all

dealerships, from the Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at

http://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html.

The 2015/2016 season: Official FIA Formula E Vehicle Partner extends its line-up of models featuring new BMW eDrive technology.

The eDrive technology introduced through BMW i since 2013 will be carried over gradually into models from the core BMW brand. It will be included in the following vehicles as part of the Formula E race series.

BMW C evolution.

BMW Motorrad is supplying the FIA Formula E organisation with two BMW C evolution electric scooters for use as shuttles. The scooters enable zero-emission riding:

• Range in everyday use on battery-electric power only (EU):
  100 kilometres (62 miles)
• Maximum output: 35 kW (47.5 hp)
• Maximum torque: 72 Nm (53 lb-ft)
• Top speed: 120 km/h / 75 mph (electronically governed)
• 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph): 6.2 seconds; 0 – 50 km/h (31 mph): 2.7 seconds
• Innovations: reverse assist, Torque Control Assist, four riding modes, ABS, hybrid chassis, TFT colour display, LED daytime running light and sidelight, electrical safety to passenger car standard.

BMW X5 xDrive40e.

Available from autumn 2015, the BMW X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid will be deployed as the Official FIA Formula E Rescue Car over the course of the new Formula E season and has been adapted to the technical requirements of the FIA.

• Range on electric power only (EU): up to 31 kilometres (19 miles)
• Overall range: over 800 kilometres (497 miles)
• System output: 313 hp
• Maximum system torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft)
• Top speed: 210 km/h / 130 mph (120 km/h / 75 mph on electric power only)
• 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph): 6.8 seconds

Modifications to comply with FIA Formula E requirements:

• Bank of LED lights and stroboscope light
• FIA radio equipment and transponder integrated into the vehicle electronics
  
  

BMW i3.

The battery-electric BMW i3 will continue as the Official FIA Formula E Medical Car. Two BMW i3 cars will be supplied for the electric race series:

• Range on electric power only (EU): up to 160 kilometres (100 miles)
• Maximum output: 170 hp
• Maximum torque: 250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
• Top speed: 150 km/h / 93 mph (governed)
• 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph): 7.2 seconds

Modifications to comply with FIA Formula E requirements:

• Bank of LED lights, fire extinguisher, paintwork and decals
• FIA radio equipment and transponder integrated into the vehicle electronics
• Attachment points for medical equipment
  
  

BMW i8.

The BMW i8 is the most progressive sports car of our times and, by combining the performance and appeal of a sports car with small car fuel economy, created a new segment as the first sustainable sports car. It offers zero-emission driving in town (eDrive) and efficient sports car performance out of town, where a highly turbocharged and efficient 1.5-litre petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology also comes into play.

With its revolutionary vehicle concept – which brings together a carbon-fibre passenger cell, aluminium chassis and benchmark aerodynamics for its segment (Cd: 0.26) – the BMW i8 represents the company’s technological cutting edge.

The BMW i8 will continue as the Official FIA Formula E Qualcomm Safety Car through the second season of Formula E. The modifications to the two new Safety Cars are far more performance-oriented and they have been adapted to meet the FIA’s technical regulations ahead of the new season, which gets underway in Beijing on 17 October.

The new BMW i8 Safety Car is the world’s first vehicle equipped for inductive charging with 7.2 kilowatts of power using Qualcomm Halo™ prototype technology . This allows the high-voltage battery of the BMW i8 to be fully recharged in around one hour only.

• Range on electric power only (EU): up to 37 kilometres (23 miles)
• Overall range: over 600 kilometres (373 miles)
• System output of FIA Formula E Safety Car: approx. 380 hp
• Maximum system torque: > 570 Nm (420 lb-ft)
• Top speed: 250 km/h / 155 mph (using electric power only: 120 km/h / 75 mph)
• 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph): < 4.4 seconds; 80 – 120 km/h (50 – 75 mph): 2.6 seconds

Modifications to comply with FIA Formula E requirements:

• Certified safety cell – bolted and bonded to load-bearing elements of the body. Use of patented tube joints.
• New bank of LED lights and stroboscope light
• FIA radio equipment and transponder integrated into the vehicle electronics
• 2 x additional 12V sockets with 25A fuse
• Carbon-fibre racing seats
• Carbon-fibre centre console
• Six-point safety belt
• Removal of interior trim and airbags
• Modified trim elements on safety cell
• Modified position of safety belts
• Official decals

Technical modifications to the new BMW i8 Safety Car over the standard production car:

Chassis

• Modified chassis mount points and upper wishbones
• Custom-made Bilstein springs / dampers
• 15 mm lowered chassis

Wheels / tyres

• 20” ATS racing rims: black, powder-coated
  (front: 245/ 35 R20, rear: 285/ 30 R20)
• Michelin Pilot Super Sport sports tyres

Brakes

• Motorsports brake discs and callipers (six-piston at the front, four-piston at the rear)
• Improved ventilation / cooling for the front discs
  Direct in-flow of air via the front spoiler and deflector plates
• Modification to the rear section of the underbody (additional air intakes, spoiler) and airflow to the brake discs via supply tube and deflector plates

Aerodynamics

• Kidney grille split at half height
  Modified front-end airflow
• 850-watt fan (front)
• Number of dynamic pressure flaps in fan shroud increased
• Modified bonnet outlet cover and airflow
• Modified air deflectors
• New air deflectors and air deflector plate on the underfloor of the car
• Rear window replaced by plastic cover with air outlets
• Sound absorption panelling for the engine removed
• Two additional fans in the engine compartment
• C-pillar ventilation removed
• Lower-mounted engine soundproofing removed
• New anti-roll bar bearings
• Extension of diffuser below the combustion engine (75 mm)
• Heat insulation for the exhaust system
• Additional carbon-fibre spoiler lips at the rear
• Additional diffusers on the underfloor of the car (front and rear)

High-voltage battery

• Battery cell modified for testing purposes, now has higher electric output (+ approx. 10 kW)

Modified roll cage

• Seamlessly drawn precision pipe (25 CrMo4)
• Yield strength: 640 Nm/mm²
• Tensile strength: 695 Nm/mm²
• Bolts quenched and tempered
• Roll cage weight: 48 kilograms
• First FIA-certified BMW i8 roll cage

New inductive prototype charging system (Qualcomm Halo™)

• BMW i8 FIA Formula E Qualcomm Safety Car is the world’s first vehicle to offer 7.2 kW inductive charging based on Qualcomm Halo™ prototype technology
• Tested under all extreme climatic conditions
• EMC-approved

Munich. Please notice: On 25 August 2015, 4 pm, a press release on the continuance of BMW’s partnership with FIA Formula E will be published in BMW Group Press Club. The official announcement will take place in Donington Park/ UK during official FIA Formula E tests.

Picture material will be produced in Donington Park on site to be published
at 04.00 pm CET in BMW Group press club as well.

Munich / Stuttgart. Four wins in the latest International Engine of the Year Awards plainly demonstrate the BMW Group’s engine-building prowess. The drive unit in the BMW i8 earned two class wins as well as being declared overall winner, with a further class win being garnered by the engine of the BMW M3 and BMW M4.

The BMW i8 unit was voted class winner for its BMW TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder petrol engine, while the overall drive unit of the BMW i8 claimed a further class win as the best “new engine”. Its combination of electric motor and petrol engine also earned it overall victory. In the 2.5 to 3.0-litre displacement category, the M TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in-line petrol engine of the BMW M3 and BMW M4 came out on top.

This fourfold success for the BMW Group at the International Engine of the Year Awards 2015 furnishes further evidence of the performance potential of the Efficient Dynamics technology package, which since 2007 has enabled a continuous enhancement of driving pleasure while at the same time cutting fuel consumption and emissions.

The International Engine of the Year Awards were launched in 1999, since when 66 class and overall wins have gone to engines developed for BMW models. Each year an expert panel of judges, this time comprising 65 motoring journalists from 31 countries, selects the best engines in numerous categories. The prize-winners were presented with their awards on Wednesday, 17 June 2015, against the backdrop of the Engine Expo trade fair in Stuttgart.

 The three-cylinder combustion engine in the BMW i8 develops 170 kW/231 hp and drives the rear wheels, while the 96 kW/131 hp electric motor draws its energy from a lithium-ion battery, which can be charged from a conventional domestic power socket, and sends its power to the front axle. This bespoke plug-in hybrid system, developed and produced by the BMW Group, enables a range of up to 37 kilometres (23 miles) in the EU test cycle and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) on electric power alone, coupled with a “glued-to-the-road” all-wheel driving experience headlined by powerful acceleration and a dynamically-biased distribution of power through keenly taken corners. The more powerful of the two sources drives the rear wheels and uses the electric boost from the hybrid system to deliver hallmark BMW driving pleasure while at the same time offering ground breaking levels of efficiency. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 4.4 seconds, yet combined fuel consumption – as calculated in the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles – stands at 2.1 litres per 100 kilometres (approx. 135 mpg imp) plus 11.9 kWh of electricity. This equates to CO2 emissions of 49 grams per kilometre.

The M TwinPower Turbo six-in-line petrol engine in the BMW M3 and BMW M4 is exceptionally high-revving for a turbocharged engine, resulting in linear power delivery over a wide engine speed range and a unique engine note. M TwinPower Turbo technology ensures that peak torque is on tap over a broad rpm range. A further hallmark of this engine is its outstanding efficiency.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures, specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: “Leitfaden über Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen” (Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained from all dealerships, from the Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html. LeitfadenCO2 (GuidelineCO2) (PDF ‒ 2.7 MB)

Munich/Landshut. On the Monday morning after Germany had won the football World Cup final against Argentina, the Landshut/Ellermühle speedway stadium at the AC Landshut club witnessed one of sport’s more unusual match-ups. It was the first time a representative of a leading German car magazine took a BMW M235i with M Performance Parts onto the almost 400-metre-long track to compete in a drifting contest against BMW motorcycle dealer and four-times dirt-track world champion Karl Maier on a speedway bike.

The respective starting points for the driver and rider could not have been more different. The BMW M235i M Performance is powered by a 3.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine developing 326 hp and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft), has a DIN vehicle weight of 1,470 kilograms and measures almost four-and-a-half metres in length. The speedway motorcycle, meanwhile, has an air-cooled 500 cc single-cylinder engine, weighs 80 kg (as per speedway regulations), makes do with just a single gear and has no brakes. The specially designed methanol-fuelled machine produces up to 80 hp and has been built exclusively for speedway track use.

Equipped with original M Performance Parts, the BMW M235i provided the perfect recipe for consistent drifts through the approximately 12-metre-wide corners of the Landshut track, just as it does on the road. The driving dynamics for which BMW is renowned are the result of 50:50 weight distribution, a low centre of gravity, BMW M Performance sports suspension (lowered by 20 mm compared to standard specification), a mechanical limited-slip differential at the rear axle and forged 19-inch light-alloy wheels. In June 2014 the car’s BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine was crowned “Engine of the Year”. With peak torque of 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) on tap from 1,300 – 4,500 rpm, it offers consistent power delivery across the entire rev range to complement the car’s finely balanced chassis.  

Despite the vastly different profiles of their machines, both driver and rider succeeded in fulfilling a common goal: five hours of “sheer drifting pleasure” on the tightest of tracks. Its first ever meeting with the speedway bike gave the BMW M235i M Performance the chance to demonstrate its dynamic performance capability for the first time on dirt rather than asphalt.

Five hours of uninterrupted sideways action had failed to sate Karl Maier’s appetite, so the former world champion rounded off the day with a few laps of the track on a specially modified BMW S1000 RR with studded tyres. The RR weighs a shade over 200 kg with a full tank of fuel on board and develops output of 193 hp. But the directional stability, outstanding handling and communicative responses of the super-sports machine allowed Maier to drift his way smoothly over the speedway track, setting the seal on what was dynamically a quite extraordinary day.

Munich / Stuttgart. The BMW Group has extended its run of success in the International Engine of the Year Awards by recording two more class wins. The company’s latest distinctions in the globally renowned competition came courtesy of two drive units which bring sporty performance characteristics to current BMW and MINI vehicles in particularly efficient style. In a repeat of last year, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology fitted in models including the BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series finished top of its displacement category. And the 1.6-litre four-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo engine from the MINI Cooper S went one better, celebrating its third class win in a row. The Engine of the Year Awards were presented on 5 June 2013 at the Engine Expo fair in Stuttgart.

Instantaneous power delivery and a level of efficiency unmatched by any rival were the cornerstones of the BMW Group’s successful showing in the Engine of the Year Awards. The winners in each category and overall are decided by an international jury, made up this year of 84 motoring journalists from 35 countries. The company’s success in two categories of the International Engine of the Year Awards represents further evidence of its globally recognised development expertise in the area of drive system technology. Since 1999, the BMW Group has racked up over 60 class and overall wins in the competition.

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology once again provided the key to success in the 1.8 – 2.0-litre displacement class. In the winning BMW four-cylinder engine this package of technology comprises a twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Direct Injection and BMW Valvetronic fully variable valve control. The 180 kW/245 hp version of the engine is used to power the BMW 328i, BMW 528i, BMW Z4 sDrive28i, BMW X3 xDrive28i and BMW X1 xDrive28i.

The other class conqueror in the BMW Group’s engine line-up also won over the Engine of the Year Awards jury – for the third consecutive year – with its impressive balance of sports performance and economy. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo unit, again the dominant force in the 1.4 – 1.8-litre category, boasts twin-scroll turbocharging with an overboost function, direct petrol injection and valve control based on the Valvetronic system. Its maximum output of 135 kW/184 hp enables the MINI Cooper S to accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.0 seconds and deliver average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres (48.7 mpg imp). This highly efficient drive unit is now also available for the MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper S Paceman, where it can be combined with the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system.

2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Sports Activity Coupé technical specifications, features and amenities, wheels and tires, paint, upholstery and trim, colour linked parts and pricing. Please note that this information is specific to Canada.

1. Source of innovation. 25 years of BMW (Forschung und) Technik GmbH. (summary version)

2. Making the force of innovation tangible. The concept vehicles of BMW Technik GmbH.

BMW Z1:  First project becomes an immediate legend.

BMW Z1 Coupé: The base for the platform concept.

BMW E1: premiere in the sphere of electric vehicles.

BMW Z13: an interior concept that breaks the mould of convention.

BMW Z18: The first off-road roadster.

BMW Z21: fascinating driving fun Just 4/2.

BMW Z22: a masterpiece in mechatronic design.

BMW Z29: driving machine made from Formula 1 materials.

3. The future of sheer driving pleasure. Efficient Dynamics – from research to road.

Fuel-cell hybrid technology for emission-free mobility in city traffic.

BMW has been developing fuel-cell technology since 1997.

APU supplies the on-board power – and also provides drive energy for the first time.

Reformer technology: fewer emissions during cold start.

Synthesis gas obtained from liquid fuel is free of residues.

Hybrid concepts: More efficiency, more driving pleasure – right from the start.

Development of hybrid technology since the 1990s.

Option for the future, available now owing to intensive research: hydrogen as fuel.

4. More driving pleasure, comfort and safety through smart networking. Connected Drive – a dynamic concept with fascinating perspectives.

Strategic support in demanding driving situations: the narrow-passage assistant.

Automated driving in hazard situations: the emergency stop assistant.

Optimised vehicle localisation: with the TrackTrainer on the North Loop of the Nürburgring.

Independent manoeuvring in very tight spaces: the garage parker.

Networking is the future: vehicle-to-vehicle communication for enhanced safety and efficiency.

Research project for innovative control systems: Drive Stick.

From sailing to vehicle: optimised head-up display technology.

Identification and integration of new technologies as a recipe for success: BMW ConnectedDrive Services with unique, world-class functionality.

Innovative services for alternative drive concepts.

BMW Key: Additional functions through networking.

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 technical specifications, features and amenities, wheels and tires, paint, upholstery and trim, colour linked parts and pricing.

Munich. The Space Shuttle crew is getting a taste of the future of mobility at
BMW. The astronauts, who normally head into space propelled by hydrogen, have
adopted the role of earthbound passengers to experience the world's first
hydrogen-powered saloon, the BMW Hydrogen 7. It is an obvious move considering
that NASA was already using the American fleet of these vehicles for test
purposes at Cape Canaveral in autumn 2007. Commander Stephen Frick takes stock
of his impressions: "It's impressive to see hydrogen functioning so smoothly in
cars as well. What I find most striking is that a car running on hydrogen
performs just as well as a petrol-driven model." Dr Draeger, Member of the
board of management of BMW AG for development, adds: "We feel honored that the
astronauts of the Atlantis Space Shuttle value our commitment towards
sustainable mobility. Only in concert with partners from society, industry and
politics will we be able to establish hydrogen as the fuel of the future.
However, this is a marathon, not a sprint."

The Space Shuttle crew's visit to the BMW Group marks one of the stages on
their tour of Germany. After returning from a space mission it is traditional
for the European astronaut on board, on behalf of the ESA, to invite his
colleagues to Europe on a crew tour. This includes special events at select
venues at which the astronauts talk about their mission and life in space. It
was their wish to use this opportunity to see some concrete examples at the
"coalface" and to compare notes with BMW engineers.

Munich. The BMW Group picked up as many as four awards at the CAROLINA Internet
Auto Award 2007 by AutoScout24, Europe's largest automobile portal. With its
EfficientDynamics program, BMW won in the special category "Best Innovation".

"EfficientDynamics" is BMW's package of measures to optimise fuel consumption
which is sold in models ranging from the BMW 1 Series to the BMW X5. The
measures include High Precision Injection in the modern petrol direct injection
engines, Brake Energy Regeneration, automatic air intake flaps, Auto Start/Stop
Function and intelligent lightweight construction. With these measures, 40% of
new cars made by the BMW Group have an exhaust emissions level below 140 grams
CO2 / km, from MINI to BMW and Rolls-Royce.

The BMW Concept X6 was judged "Best New IAA Feature"; the majority of those
questioned at the IAA were enthusiastic about the idea of a Sport Activity
Vehicle in coupé form. MINI was also highly successful: the compact, sporty car
not only won the small car category by a comfortable margin, it was also
awarded the title "Most Popular Car in Europe".

The Internet Auto Award is the biggest public internet award of the automotive
trade in Europe, with some 350,000 people voting. The editorial team of
AutoScout24 chose the "Best Innovation". All winners received the CAROLINA, an
extravagantly styled metal trophy.
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