edatoakrun
Well-known member
edited title with official (?) name, 10/26/16
Not many details on the drivetrain, but two points in this PR release are significant, IMO.
BMW seems to realize the obvious, that the ability to utilize the electric motor(s) to provide AWD is a huge benefit, that almost all PHEV manufactures have simply wasted with their 2WD PHEV designs.
And every PHEV (and every BEVx) should allow the driver to control the generator, to allow the vehicle to retain or increase charge, for future driving or to allow the pack to be discharged after arriving at the destination, when desired.
Not many details on the drivetrain, but two points in this PR release are significant, IMO.
BMW seems to realize the obvious, that the ability to utilize the electric motor(s) to provide AWD is a huge benefit, that almost all PHEV manufactures have simply wasted with their 2WD PHEV designs.
And every PHEV (and every BEVx) should allow the driver to control the generator, to allow the vehicle to retain or increase charge, for future driving or to allow the pack to be discharged after arriving at the destination, when desired.
https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0264783EN/charging-ahead-–-the-mini-goes-electricCharging ahead – The MINI goes electric
Munich. Hallmark MINI driving fun combined with zero tailpipe emissions. With the introduction of the first plug-in hybrid model by the British premium brand, this will soon be a reality. The series development process for this car has almost been completed. It features a combustion engine and an electric motor enabling purely electric propulsion for the first time in a MINI. This marks the beginning of a new phase for MINI, and offers a glimpse into a future that is charged with excitement for MINI customers and those drivers yet to experience the thrill of a hybrid.
Head of MINI brand management Sebastian Mackensen and Head of MINI series management Peter Wolf offer insight into this new near-series test vehicle, and explain how it retains go-kart feeling in the true spirit of a MINI during a test drive of this model.
“With this model we want to convince MINI customers of the benefits of hybrid drive”, says Mackensen, “and impress everyone who already has hybrid driving experience with MINI’s unique go-kart driving feel.” The key to achieving this lies in intelligent energy management which is used to control how the combustion engine and electric motor operate together. For this reason, the first MINI plug-in hybrid model is not solely focused on efficiency, but uncompromising in pursuit of driving fun.
At first glance, you wouldn’t recognise the test car as a hybrid model. ...
However, MINI’s go-kart driving characteristics consists of more than just fast acceleration. Above all, this hybrid MINI has to prove how precisely it handles when taking bends on the most exciting, twisting roads. This is where MINI’s plug-in hybrid concept plays its next trump card. “As far as the chassis and suspension are concerned, nothing changes from the conventionally driven model variants”, says Wolf, “and the set-up benefits a lot from the hybrid concept”. Thanks to the eDrive components, which are positioned very low down at the rear, the car’s centre of gravity is lowered and the weight is evenly balanced between the front and rear axle – ideal for achieving an even higher level of legendary MINI agility.
The Hybrid concept provides yet another benefit: the electric motor transmits its power to the rear wheels, the combustion engine to the front wheels. Since the intelligent energy management is linked to the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), traction and drive stability are optimised via the drive system. “As soon as there is any risk of drive slip, the second drive unit is activated to provide additional traction when starting off or ensuring a high level of steering precision when cornering”, explains Wolf.
Intelligent energy management offers a further opportunity for both power sources to work together effectively. Driving on the motorway, Mackensen activates a third mode with the eDrive toggle switch: SAVE BATTERY. In this mode, the combustion engine powers the car whilst at the same time, the high voltage battery can retain charge at a constant level or indeed increase charge via a generator. Extended driving in SAVE BATTERY mode enables enough power generation for purely electric driving later...