Brake Regeneration

[spudw]

A pretty decadent way to communicate a fairly straightforward concept... http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/a...-for-03-14-07/

I think we have confirmation this technology will be on the 1er...

[bryan@mwerks]

Originally Posted by spudwest

A pretty decadent way to communicate a fairly straightforward concept... http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/a...-for-03-14-07/

I think we have confirmation this technology will be on the 1er...

As I understood it, we may not get Brake Regen right away on the 1er. But perhaps in its second year.

Their brake regen system is actually more of an "active alternator" system than a true regenerative braking system. There are no generators on the wheel hubs at all. The alternator freewheels during acclereation and cruising for better economy and performance. It becomes engaged when the throttle is lifted or the brakes are applied, and the additional drag aids in braking (slightly). The battery also has a threshold level that it must stay above for operation, somewhere in the 80% full range. So if you're cruising and the battery drops below that level, the alternator will re-engage until that lower limit is reached again. And the alternator always freewheels under WOT.

It's a step in the right direction for them without compromising their sporting reputation.