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Love ‘em or loathe ‘em, it’s difficult to deny
that BMW have dragged the motoring world into the 21st century with a range of innovations
which have then filtered down to more mundane motors. This week, BMW Technik, the department responsible for so many of the developments celebrates its fifteenth birthday. When BMW founded "BMW Technik GmbH" 15 years ago, it was the result of an idea of installing an innovative remote office, a type of think-tank, physically separated from all other development groups. The plan was to have selected engineers, technicians and designers from BMW who, for a specific time, would have freedom to experiment in isolation from the day to day constraints of the modern manufacturing business. It was one of the most successful ideas in the history of BMW. Less than five minutes away by car from the corporate headquarters, a concentrated high-technology company was established. The think-tank is not just a design office nor a research laboratory, it is manned by specialists from various fields of research and development. The team is comprised of about a hundred employees who are in continuous dialogue with their BMW Corporation colleagues, primarily with those in the research and engineering centre. Many of the specialists have had their developments put into production. The team’s organisation is project orientated and detached from the current series products at any given time. This small idea factory has its own departments for styling, modeling, construction and developments. Other departments handle packaging, body, engine, technical physics, simulation, chassis, electrics and electronics. In addition to this they have practically every conceivable piece of equipment including their own engine testing station – and the worlds first acoustic wind tunnel. Acoustic Wind Tunnel Every BMW product must go through this 43 metre long and 15 metre high aero-acoustic wind tunnel before it reaches the market in order to minimise cabin noise. Not only cars and motorcycles are tested in the tunnel. Wind speeds of up to 150mph are used to evaluate Motorcycle helmets and sometimes even skiers! Even a historical phenomena was resolved in the acoustic wind tunnel: the reason for the infamous whistling which signalled the rapid approach of the 502 limousine in the fifties, was finally traced to the grille, which today still possesses the typical design of the BMW brand – the BMW "kidney". Z1 BMW Corporation’s first mission for the "Technik GmbH" had absolutely nothing to do with the development of a car. The "ZT" team, so called by BMW internally, entered the scene with the task of inventing innovative car parts and they immediately overwhelmed everybody with whole host of ideas which were then implemented in the Z1 concept.
The Z1 roadster was a pilot project for new materials, for a new style of vehicle design and for the reduction of development times. The work started in the second half of 1985 – three years later the first production version of the Z1 rolled out of the Munich factory. In total 8,000 cars were made. The body of the Z1 is unique. The skeleton is a monocoque style chassis with a bonded synthetic base. The outer body shell is composed of elastic resilient plastic. Particularly notable are the disappearing doors which can be lowered using a electromechanical system. The high side sills contribute significantly to a high level of passenger protection for a car of this type. The Z1 was also the debut of the so-called central point guided, spherical, double suspension arm, which became well known as the Z-axle in the BMW 3 Series. Z18 For its 15th anniversary the "Technik GmbH" is to unveil the Z18 concept. The idea is drawn from the Enduro motorcycle – a mixture of an on/off road bike. It combines the roadster driving feel with the robustness and high seat position of an all-terrain vehicle. It has been designed with smooth surfaces and well defined lines, resembling a boat(!).
The Z18 may be used as a two-seater, a two-seater pickup or a 2+2 with boot space. The prototype has a drive-train like the X5 with a 4.4 litres V8 and four wheel drive in a steel profiled chassis structure and a plastic outer body. Z22 Also on its anniversary the "Technik GmbH" is presenting the Z22. This concept car could have a large impact on future BMW vehicles, it being a ‘mechatronic’ car. Mechatronic is the generic term for "mechanical system with electronic control" and together with lightweight design, this may revolutionise automobile technology in the years to come. The Z22 includes the frightening prospects of more computers controlling the car with "steer-by-wire" and even "brake-by-wire!" The drivers continue to use both the steering wheel and brake pedal, which have no changes to their basic function but they can make full use of the benefits of the new technology based on advanced capabilities and characteristics. Without mechanical components such as the steering column and parts of the foot pedal mechanism, the passengers passive safety and comfort are increased. Conventional mechanical steering has a fixed gear ratio which, even though it becomes more progressive with each turn of the wheel, always transmits the driver’s steering commands the same way. This forces compromises in order to achieve the best balance of characteristics at all speeds and driving situations. Other innovations include
Most if not all of these innovations are likely to find their way into the BMW range in the years to come. Other manufacturers will no doubt follow suit. Z1 Links
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