According to German media, BMW is hard at work to develop a car with a fuel economy of 0.4 liter per 100 km or 588 MPG. Apparently at a meeting for e-mobility BMW has shown the industry experts a prototype similar to the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics.
After a consultation with BMW, we can now release a few more details about the project and thus bring a little more light into the darkness.
First, the Munich showcase of that prototype was never really intended for the public and it is not scheduled for mass production. At least for now. Rather, it is a BMW project that tests what is technically feasible: space for four people, around 350 liters of boot volume, about 180 km/h top speed and 0.4 liters fuel consumption per 100 kilometers.
These impressive values have been achieved thanks to consistent lightweight construction with the help of a lot of carbon, the wind tunnel testing to achieve a drag coefficient of 0.18 and optimized aerodynamics. The car weighs less than 1200 kgs. The combustion in this vehicle does not drive the wheels. It is a pure range extender. But not just “jumping in” when battery is empty, rather more when – at speeds above approx. 70-80 km/h – it is worth letting it run in a very efficient operating area.
Although a mass production of this vehicle is planned, we will get individual items first.
Many already compare the unnamed project with the VW XL1 due to the desire for minimal consumption. But BMW would certainly like to build a car that is more suitable for every day use, for example four instead of two seats, considerably more luggage space and a better drag coefficient.
In a statement for our sister-magazine Bimmertoday, BMW says that the technology platform of this project will focus on “individual mobility, lightweight body construction, revolutionary unconventional exterior with benchmark aerodynamic values and a plug-in hybrid drive with significantly increased electric driving experience and significantly improved overall range. ”
Furthermore, BMW says the vehicle is roadworthy and approved with a special authorization to operate on public roads. “A launch of this vehicle is planned and it is mainly used for further formal pre-development projects,” BMW says.
“It is conceivable that individual components and elements incorporated in this research vehicle will be part of future production models.”
It remains to be seen if this secret project is the basis for the rumored BMW i5 or the electric SUV.
Official Statement:
Efficient Dynamics research vehicle
The Efficient Dynamics research vehicle mentioned during an expert conference is a pure technology test vehicle with focus on light weight design, aerodynamics and electrification of the future.
Major target is the demonstration of improved all-day usability at significantly reduced CO2 emission.
The carrier of technology focuses on all aspects which will significantly influence individual mobility of the future: a self-supporting CFK lightweight body concept, revolutionary and unconventional exterior showing benchmark aerodynamics and an highly electrified plug-in hybrid drive train with substantially increased electric range and long distance capability.
The vehicle is street legal and licensed as a usual experimental vehicle for street legal test drives. An industrialization of this vehicle is not meant to be and not possible.
There is no plan for a potential market launch, but rather the vehicles qualifies for future singular research and pre-development projects.
Supposedly single components of this research vehicle might find its way into future series production.
We kindly ask for your understanding that not least for competitive reasons we cannot give detailed information on this vehicle.
