BMW 330e ordered...
Discussion
I don't think that's right. If the engine is delivering its maximum power there can't be any left to generate the significant quantities of electricity to power the motor. And if there was, well it'd be better off using that power to the gearbox directly and then the losses generating electric then powering the motor would be eliminated.
Regarding the driving off when plugged in question, my C350e won't go into gear if you're plugged in. I wanted to roll forward a metre on my drive the other day to get the bin out, but it wouldn't let me until I'd unplugged.
I wish my point was on the left, kerbside. It looks very vulnerable on the offside when you're parked on the street charging. The car behind could easily clip the door as he's pulling out. In London the electric spots are barely longer than the car (being designed probably for early electric cars which were generally small) so it's pretty cramped in there.
Another good reason for getting the hell out of the electric bay as soon as charged up.
I wish my point was on the left, kerbside. It looks very vulnerable on the offside when you're parked on the street charging. The car behind could easily clip the door as he's pulling out. In London the electric spots are barely longer than the car (being designed probably for early electric cars which were generally small) so it's pretty cramped in there.
Another good reason for getting the hell out of the electric bay as soon as charged up.
supermono said:
I don't think that's right. If the engine is delivering its maximum power there can't be any left to generate the significant quantities of electricity to power the motor. And if there was, well it'd be better off using that power to the gearbox directly and then the losses generating electric then powering the motor would be eliminated.
It is right mate, read the technical data and watch the review videos which explain in more detail how it works. 
Happy_Harris1431 said:
supermono said:
I don't think that's right. If the engine is delivering its maximum power there can't be any left to generate the significant quantities of electricity to power the motor. And if there was, well it'd be better off using that power to the gearbox directly and then the losses generating electric then powering the motor would be eliminated.
It is right mate, read the technical data and watch the review videos which explain in more detail how it works. I haven't seen the full data yet, but I think you're mistaken on the basis that the petrol engine produces 180 or so bhp.
It's not, therefore, possible for the car to produce 250 bhp unless there is still charge in the battery.
If the petrol engine produces 180 bhp, where is the additional 70 bhp coming from for the electric motor? It's more likely that the battery never goes fully flat, without deliberate intervention from the driver.
Not unless BMW have re-written the laws of physics or invented perpetual motion, which they haven't.
Logically, I think I'm correct, that if you never plug the car in, you will never have the full power!
As a side note, as a lot of people will have this sort of car as their company car, which will mean the government will lose quite a bit of easy income. How do we think they will address this in the not so distant future?
As a side note, as a lot of people will have this sort of car as their company car, which will mean the government will lose quite a bit of easy income. How do we think they will address this in the not so distant future?
BMW said:
In situations in which the combustion engine would have a low power-efficiency factor, the system shifts up to a higher load range with a better power-efficiency factor. That means that the combustion engine produces additional power. This power is used to create electricity for the battery via the electric motor/generator, which can later be used for electric driving or efficiently supporting the combustion engine
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/3series/sedan/2015/showroom/bmw_edrive.htmlcJD said:
BMW said:
In situations in which the combustion engine would have a low power-efficiency factor, the system shifts up to a higher load range with a better power-efficiency factor. That means that the combustion engine produces additional power. This power is used to create electricity for the battery via the electric motor/generator, which can later be used for electric driving or efficiently supporting the combustion engine
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/3series/sedan/2015/showroom/bmw_edrive.htmlcSo it seems that the engine can produce more than its quoted power when needed, although I can't see by how much.
Looks like that will pave the way for a higher output version in due course.
Super Slo Mo said:
nteresting stuff although that link seems very light on detail.
So it seems that the engine can produce more than its quoted power when needed, although I can't see by how much.
Looks like that will pave the way for a higher output version in due course.
It is very light on detail, but that's not what it means.So it seems that the engine can produce more than its quoted power when needed, although I can't see by how much.
Looks like that will pave the way for a higher output version in due course.
What it means is that in situations where the engine is required to be running and the torque demand from it falls into an inefficient area of the curve, the ECU increases the amount of torque supplied by the engine so that it can operate in a more effcient area of the curve, and the excess torque is siphoned into the generator (motor/e-machine). As it will more efficeint to run the engine at a higher power than is needed to move the car AND charge the battery than it would be to just move the car. There will also be a secondary state (sport mode maybe?) where anytime the the torque demand from the ICE is not 100% it will again supply more than required and siphon some off to the generator.
So as above, with a totally flat battery, of course the car can only produce 180bhp, BUT the control logic will be such that it never lets the battery go flat.
Remember the debate about how the battery on a McLaren P1 was going to go flat halfway around the Nurburgring becuase it didnt have regenarative braking? Well it's like that.
I am purely rambling though, you would need a powertrain person to explain it properly, someone like Max_torque
I'm close to pushing the button on a 330e. Really like the look of this car, and I'm pretty sure I can drive most of the working week without coming off electric. The BiK by itself makes it worthwhile.
It's a lease - 9+23, working out a £270+VAT.
Looking at an M-Sport with the M Sport Plus Pack, Professional Sat Nav, Heated Seats, Split folding rear seats and sliding armrest. Mineral grey, black interior
Anyone know of any better deals with these sorts of options? Any other options really worth having?
It's a lease - 9+23, working out a £270+VAT.
Looking at an M-Sport with the M Sport Plus Pack, Professional Sat Nav, Heated Seats, Split folding rear seats and sliding armrest. Mineral grey, black interior
Anyone know of any better deals with these sorts of options? Any other options really worth having?
JD said:
What it means is that in situations where the engine is required to be running and the torque demand from it falls into an inefficient area of the curve, the ECU increases the amount of torque supplied by the engine so that it can operate in a more effcient area of the curve, and the excess torque is siphoned into the generator (motor/e-machine). As it will more efficeint to run the engine at a higher power than is needed to move the car AND charge the battery than it would be to just move the car. There will also be a secondary state (sport mode maybe?) where anytime the the torque demand from the ICE is not 100% it will again supply more than required and siphon some off to the generator.
you would need a powertrain person to explain it properly, someone like Max_torque
That makes more sense actually. Logically of course, on the face of it it's not efficient to use the engine to charge the battery, although needs must at times, but if it's then able to make the engine more efficient whilst doing so then it stacks up.you would need a powertrain person to explain it properly, someone like Max_torque
Of course, it's not so simple as to say that the engine being in a more efficient phase means that it uses less fuel, there's more to it than that, but I'm sure you know that already.
Not that I'm an expert, I merely touched on the subject in my final year project many moons ago.
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