BMW Heaven - The BMW Knowledge Base - BMW options & electronic systems

Fully Integrated Road Safety Technology

BMW's tried-and-tested F.I.R.S.T. (Fully Integrated Road Safety Technology) safety concept co-ordinates all safety features to provide optimum, all-inclusive safety on the road: active and passive safety, protection of the car itself and protection for other road users. Important elements in this protective system include the combination of protective airbags and the exceptional strength of the doors, which prevent external objects entering the vehicle in the event of a side-on collision.

Hill Descent Control

Hill Descent Control (HDC) assists drivers when negotiating a steep downhill route. It is activated when the automobile exceeds a particular speed when on a descent, and it slows the vehicle down automatically to just over walking speed, while also stabilizing the car and reducing the risk of locking the wheels. It also gives the driver even greater control over their car without the need to keep the brake pressed constantly. They can vary their speed within certain limits by pressing the brake, accelerator or by using the cruise control buttons. Any drivers behind are warned automatically by the BMW?s brake lights.

Head-up Display (HUD)

HUD makes an important contribution to active safety and superior motoring comfort by presenting important information directly in the driver's line of vision. The virtual picture presented by HUD is generated by a projector integrated in the instrument panel and transmitted onto the specially designed windscreen, where it appears in the driver's line of sight, roughly at the end of the engine compartment lid. The driver is therefore able to take in this information without ever taking his eyes off the road.

ID Airbags

Several airbags protect the passengers of a BMW in the event of a collision. The standard-fitting driver and front passenger airbags function according to the Impact-Depending (ID) system, which calculates the danger posed to the driver and front passenger by taking factors such as the strength of the impact into account; the airbag is then inflated the appropriate size.

iDrive

iDrive is an intuitive, ergonomic design concept which puts the driver back at the centre of vehicle control. It splits the control systems into two main areas within the cockpit - the driving area, immediately in front of the driver and the comfort area, running up the centre console and the middle of the dash, dominated by the large circular knob (the Controller) and the Control Display.

Impact Dampers

One important safety feature in every BMW is the sophisticated composite construction of hydraulic-pneumatic impact absorbers, mechanical impact elements and deformable side elements. The bumpers with their reversible aluminium impact dampers can absorb blows of up to 6 km/h without so much as a scratch. Special deformation zones at the front and rear of the car can withstand impact speeds of 15 km/h; they keep repairs costs down as they can simply be replaced. Only at higher speeds do the engine supports begin to deform in a predefined way - they do so precisely to the extent necessary to protect any people involved in an accident as well as the vehicle itself.

Intercooler

BMW diesel automobiles contain an intercooler, a special heat transferral unit in which the air compressed and heated by the turbocharger is cooled so it can be passed to the combustion chamber. Cooler air contains more oxygen molecules: this enables the fuel to burn with increased efficiency, resulting in improved performance as well as lower fuel consumption and emissions.

ISOFIX Child Seat

The ISOFIX system offers seats suitable for newborn babies through to seven year-olds. It features special mounting points, for the sole purpose of attaching child seats. This makes it impossible to fit a seat incorrectly. Telescopic bars on the BMW seat fit into the seatbelt fastening points ensuring installation directly to the body of the car. The first BMW Baby Seat with ISOFIX technology is available for the 0+ age group. This backward facing seat with an integrated belt system is suitable for infants up to 13 kg (approx 18 months). The forward facing BMW Junior Seat I-II ISOFIX System is for children from 9-25 kg (9 months - 7 years approx).

Inflatable Tubular Structure Airbags

The Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS) head airbag and the side airbags, which both come as part of the standard fittings, combine to provide excellent side impact protection for the car's occupants. If hit from the side, ITS head airbags safeguard against the dangerous effect by which the occupants' heads are flung to one side and hit off the door (hyperflexion) and it prevents injury caused by objects entering the car. The sides of these airbags are integrated with the frame of the roof and inflate instantly thanks to their honeycomb structure. When expanded, they cover the safety belt's height adjuster and front side windows diagonally, thereby delivering the best protection irrespective of the occupant's size or position in their seat.

Life Cycle Impulse

BMW"s acronym for a mid-life facelift: each BMW gets a facelift after the car has been in production for about 2-3 years. The BMW mostly gets updated interior and exterior as well as new engines.

Limited Slip Differential

A differential fitted with a mechanism that limits the speed and torque differences between its two outputs. Limited slip ensures that some torque is always distributed to both wheels, even when one is on very slippery pavement.

Variable M Differential Lock

A little extra traction can make all the difference, and the torque-sensitive, variable M differential lock identifies exactly when traction is needed. Even when wheel grip varies enormously, roadholding remains excellent as the locking power between the left and right rear wheels can be raised to 100%. Sports car drivers know what this feature delivers: it optimises handling, improves safety and enhances the thrust provided by the BMW's rear wheel drive.

M double-Vanos

M double-Vanos (double-variable camshaft control) significantly improves the torque curve of the six-cylinder petrol engine. Valve timing both on the intake and outlet camshaft is adjusted to the power and torque required of the engine as a function of gas pedal position (load-related) and engine speed. M double-Vanos requires very high oil pressure (approx. 80 - 120 bar) in order to adjust the camshafts as quickly and precisely as possible. This ensures supreme torque at low engine speeds and equally impressive output at high speeds. The engine's idling qualities, in turn, are improved by the reduction of unburnt residual gases, and special engine management maps for the warm-up period enhance the efficiency of the catalytic converter.

M Dynamic Mode

Activate the M Dynamic mode and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) gives your sports ambitions free reign. Drive slip for both longitudinal and transverse dynamics increases at all speed levels because DSC does not instantly intervene in the automobile's motion. This does not impact on safety however: it is just a means to increase driving pleasure.

M Servotronic

M Servotronic is a special form of power steering geared not to engine speed, like conventional power steering systems, but rather to the car's actual road speed. In practice this means ample power assistance when parking and manoeuvring at low speeds, followed by gradual reduction of power assistance as road speed increases to ensure greater direct contact with the road at high speeds and, as a result, an even higher standard of steering precision. Using the sports switch, the driver can also choose a second steering control curve for even sportier feedback from the steering.

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October 11, 2008, 02:31:30 am

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