New fuel saving option on tap for BMW 1-Series and 5-Series

The bottom of the range 1-series and the 5-Series will soon have regenerative braking, which conserves energy when the car is being braked, or is freewheeling. These cars will also include so-called "stop-start" systems, which automatically switch off the engine when the car is stationary, and reignite it when the accelerator is pressed. Source: Detroit News

S4cabriofoxone - 3/8/2007 11:02:47 PM

-1 Boost

Paperweights?

The 5 Series is no heavyweight, much less a slow sedan.

I think the turning off of the engine is a very innovative idea. Do hybrids do that? I honestly forgot- I thought they just turned on the gas engine when you went above about 5mph, and the electric motor didn't run by itself again.

sewingmachine - 3/8/2007 11:54:10 PM

+1 Boost

hmmm, sounds alot like toyotas hybrids.

aussiecarnut - 3/9/2007 12:57:16 AM

+1 Boost

do we know if this will come in the current generation as an option, or will we have to wait for this until the next gen's come through?

M53R - 3/9/2007 6:24:43 AM

+1 Boost

Its on the facelifted 5 series and facelifted 1 series. (2008? model).

Brembo - 3/9/2007 8:47:49 AM

+1 Boost

I wandered what would in a hot 90 degree day when you're stuck in traffic with no room to move. The car shuts off the engine and no AC.

I don't think I would like that experience.

But I assume the BMW engineers have that solve............I hope. It would be a big OOPS.

Brembo - 3/9/2007 8:48:51 AM

+1 Boost

That is if they're not considering hybrid system.

Will_ - 3/9/2007 9:17:18 AM

-1 Boost

It's hybrid technology without an electric motor. It's almost like cutting your car completely off every time you reach a stoplight or stop sign.

Rupert - 3/9/2007 10:33:45 AM

+1 Boost

Citroen offer a similar system on the C2.

d1sinfo - 3/9/2007 9:38:07 AM

+1 Boost

It is very likely that things like the AC, and power steering pumps are going the way of electric power. This could eliminate the problem of the engine being off, and car getting steamy :)

It is also hard to see this feature on a manual transmission, but I guess they probably have it figured out.

Josh

d1sinfo - 3/12/2007 10:14:41 AM

+1 Boost

That doesn't sound very BMW. They spend massive amounts of money and time to ensure they don't have that image. I would assume it would be no different when it comes to hybrid type concepts.

Josh