The Electrical Powertrain Technology of BMW Group.

Authors

Dipl.-Ing. S. Juraschek, Dipl.-Ing. A. Buchner, Dr.-Ing. B. Schinnerl, BMW Group, Munich

Year

2018

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Series 12, No 807

Summary

Electric powertrains are mainly associated with buzz words such as "local pollutant-free" and "ecological driving." However, the emotive and character-forming qualities of electric powertrains are rather overlooked. These include torque strength, immediate torque availability, spontaneity and directness.
The BMW Group focuses its development mainly on these character-influencing parameters of the e-machine. This results in a great deal of potential, but also challenges in implementing the technologies in such a way as to fully meet customer expectations of a premium vehicle powertrain, and the associated driving pleasure. The different types of e-machine play a decisive role in development, as do the electromagnetic design and challenges in construction regarding performance, longevity, robustness, weight, sustainability, efficiency and acoustics of the electric powertrain. In addition to this, technological limits are redefined in developing powertrains for the Formula E.
The BMW Group aspires to have in-house system competence for the e-drive: Development and technological know-how, innovation and production are anchored as in-house core competencies, enabling the BMW Group to extend its competitive advantage. Another milestone confirming this concept is the development of the 5th generation integrated electric BMW drive unit as part of BMW's scalable modular E-drive systems. These modular designs will be available for all BMW model series from 2021.