BMW: First With Regenerative Braking Petrol Model

BMW’s new 5-Series saloon will be the first non-hybrid model to come equipped with a regenerative braking system.

The system (named Brake Energy Regeneration by BMW) works by harnessing energy lost through braking. Thanks to an intelligent alternator, that energy is used to re-charge the car’s battery, thus lowering emissions and improving fuel efficieny by around three percent.

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quizz - 1/12/2007 1:12:56 PM

+4 Boost

Tres Cool!

This is the sort of innovation that all the car companies need to share. Short of a hybrid, there are so much unexplored current technology that will assist in reducing fuel usage.

Jacob - 1/12/2007 2:29:26 PM

+5 Boost

I'm impressed!!!

SupraNeverBack - 1/12/2007 2:40:33 PM

+1 Boost

Congrats to BMW, finally figured out one component of a hybrid system.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/12/2007 9:56:02 PM

+1 Boost

They're already developing a hybrid with Mercedes and GM... it's not like they're super hard to produce.

urbansouljah - 1/14/2007 12:02:14 PM

+2 Boost

And it can work on both gas and diesel models. It's a win win.

matt635 - 1/12/2007 3:20:19 PM

+1 Boost

then maybe you should stop paying attention to completly irrelevant made-up photoshops published by magazines and websites as "exclusives".

matt635 - 1/12/2007 4:29:58 PM

+3 Boost

Actually I havent given you a -1. maybe somebody else has noiced your petty attempt to discredit BMW's future designs!

matt635 - 1/12/2007 4:01:53 PM

+3 Boost

Anyone familiar with the rules and regs for F1 in the next few years should see the motivation behind this.

I am a BMW fan, but the timing of this and the announcement of the Kinetic Energy Recovery systems in F1 is a little obvious

Rupert - 1/12/2007 5:43:38 PM

+1 Boost

good idea.
but citroen do the stopped in traffic thing too.
sorry bmw.
but good idea, at least you're trying.

SilverAero - 1/12/2007 6:13:39 PM

0 Boost

smart, but its just another thing thats bound to break.

SilverAero - 1/12/2007 6:14:06 PM

-1 Boost

no pun intended

Rupert - 1/13/2007 3:49:06 PM

+2 Boost

it also stops the engine at traffic lights etc

vdiv - 1/13/2007 5:58:20 PM

+3 Boost

Charging the battery does not come for free. The alternator has to work harder when the battery needs charging than when it is charged and that costs you some in fuel economy.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/12/2007 9:57:30 PM

+2 Boost

I don't think this is a bad photoshop, actually. Evolutionary and contemporary; very chic.

Otherwise, this is an innovative system on a conventional gasoline-powered car.