BMW Innovation Day 2007: Competence in Driving Dynamics

1. BMW Core Competence Chassis and Suspension: Fundamental Aspects of Supreme Driving Dynamics. 3 1.1 From the development of driving mechanics to the development of a complete driving experience. 4 1.2 BMW driving dynamics: thrilling and safe. 5 1.3 Characteristic: the "DNA" of a BMW. 6 1.4 Drive concept: the focus remains on standard drive. 7 1.5 Giving each BMW its authentic character: the basic chassis. 8 1.6 Keeping in touch with the road: the tyres. 9 1.7 Fuel-efficient and ultra-precise: Electric Power Steering. 10 2. Developing new potentials: chassis control systems. 11 2.1 Adjustable driving comfort: dampers with individual control. 12 2.2 Upgraded driving dynamics: fully controlled body roll. 13 2.3 Optimum synthesis of sportiness and comfort: AdaptiveDrive. 14 2.4 Active Safety with freedom of choice: Dynamic Stability Control. 15 2.5 Optimum directional stability ensured by the variation of drive forces: Dynamic Performance Control. 17 2.6 Steering by longitudinal forces: specific asymmetric torque distribution. 18 2.7 Networked control systems for greater function and individual style: Integrated Chassis Management. 19 2.8 Synergy effect: perfect behaviour in a bend. 20 3. Summary: The paradigm shift in BMW chassis development: from driving mechanics to a genuine driving experience. 21

BMW's slogan and creed is no coincidence: Sheer Driving Pleasure is an integral
concept more than ever before inherent in the development of every BMW. To
enjoy such driving pleasure, the driver must always be in the middle of things,
retaining full responsibility for all driving manoeuvres.
The crucial factors are the ability to experience and calculate the car's
reactions as well as ergonomic control and operation of the car. In a nutshell,
therefore, the driving experience comprises all of the car's features and
qualities.
Sheer Driving Pleasure is not a static phenomenon. Rather, this very special
kind of pleasure is interpreted differently by and in each BMW - with a
different interpretation in a two-seater open-air Z4 than in a luxurious 7
Series, or with a compact 3 Series Coupé offering a different interpretation
than a comfortable X5.
Precisely this is why the driver of every BMW has individual, different
expectations of his or her driving experience. And it is why BMW's development
engineers are convinced that one of their fundamental tasks is to offer each
and every customer the right kind of appropriate experience under all driving
conditions: during the day and at night, in rain or sunshine,
in dense traffic or on an open country road, in each case with the driver's
impression varying significantly.
Since conventional development strategies reach their limits when facing such
diverse challenges, BMW's paradigm shift in chassis and suspension development
is to make the significant change from driving mechanics to the real driving
experience.