BMW experimenting with electronic noise canceling tech for diesels

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 31 May 2010 09:03:00 EST

BMW sound engineer Manuel Reichle and the 635d - Click above for high-res image gallery

When considering how to go about improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions, we typically think of smaller engines, alternative fuels and electrification. One area that doesn't typically come to mind is that of sound design and acoustics. While the noises produced by a vehicle don't directly affect fuel efficiency, soundtracks are important because they are often a prime determinant in whether a given powertrain solution is acceptable to drivers and passengers.

Companies like BMW, General Motors, Honda and others have been actively pursuing mechanisms of controlling noise at the source in order to create more flexibility for modifying the powertrains. A key example is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox with its 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine. GM added active noise cancellation so it could allow the engine to spend more time running at lower speeds where the engine tends to make more of a low booming sound. Without the noise cancellation technology, the engine's sountrack would turn off drivers.

Similarly, BMW has been carefully studying the structures of engine blocks and engine bays. Careful application of ribs and tuning of the structural shapes have allowed these structures to be made lighter without risk of excessive vibration. Similarly, adding insulation materials closer to the engine also reduces the amount needed overall as well as facilitating the use of other types of engines that might be inherently noisier.

All of these factors play into making more efficient vehicles that are appealing to customers. After all, if consumers don't want to buy a vehicle for reasons that have nothing to do with function, all of the efficiency advantages they might offer will be left stuck in 'park.'

Gallery: BMW Acoustic development

[Source: BMW]

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Frankfurt Preview: BMW reveals Vision EfficientDynamics turbodiesel plug-in hybrid concept [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Technology, BMW, Electric, Diesel

BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

After several months of speculation and official teases for the past week, we now finally have all the details on the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept that BMW will show at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a couple of weeks. The speculation about the concept's powertrain has gone in several directions, almost all of which were correct. The new concept is a plug-in hybrid with a three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Conceived with the idea of melding the performance of a M3 with exceptionally low fuel consumption, BMW claims a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds while scoring 62.6 mpg (U.S.) on the E.U. combined test cycle.

There has been considerable speculation that future BMWs will go to smaller engines including a three-cylinder. The concept uses a 1.5-liter turbodiesel that is essentially half of the fabulous 3.0-liter found in the 335d. The triple is rated at a hefty 163 hp with peak torque of 214 lb-ft. The engine is paired with a six-speed DCT derived from the unit used in the M3 and Z4.

Adding fuel to recent reports that BMW would not continue developing the two-mode hybrid system that will debut soon in the X6, the concept uses a new strong hybrid system. The new system is a further development of the mild hybrid that is debuting in the ActiveHybrid 7. As in the 7, a more powerful 33-hp electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and transmission. A second 80-hp motor provides drive to the front axle. The total net output of the drive system is 356 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Continue reading more after the jump.

Gallery: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: BMW reveals Vision EfficientDynamics turbodiesel plug-in hybrid concept [w/VIDEO]

Frankfurt Preview: BMW reveals Vision EfficientDynamics turbodiesel plug-in hybrid concept [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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