Photo's-Next Gen X5 Powertrain Testing???

[palbay]

Another case of.... I'm not really sure what this is.At first glance it looks like a mundane towing limits test for an X5.But the pic's beg a few questions.This is the E70 model prior to the LCI refresh.Unbadged and no tag at all.No tag means no extended over the road testing.Between Plant gates (this X5 did in fact drive between two plant gates) and on Plant grounds.If testing engine/chassis tweaks for the current LCI X5 wouldn't you use the series production model and NOT an out of production model X5??? In all the years I've been shooting pic's...I've never before seen a towing test conducted around the Plant.I'm not around 24/7...but you would think that I would have crossed paths with a towing test prior to this.I've seen the early test mules in Death Valley conducting towing test but nothing around the Plant.This X5 was moving very,very slow...maybe 5-10 MPH.Just wondering if this vehicle is conducting some early powertrain testing for the coming F40 due in 2013.No reason I can think of to be certifying towing limits on an out of production X5 model.Interesting to say the least.Maybe there is a simple explanation....I'm stumped.Thanks. PalBay

[Meiac09]

interesting paint/tape job... It had no tag? I've seen a couple Euro- LCI models on Woodruff with Manufacturer tags on it, and the '01 diesel around the Zentrum but thats it. Maybe its the tri-turbo diesel!

[JCL]

Originally Posted by palbay

Another case of.... I'm not really sure what this is.........Maybe there is a simple explanation....I'm stumped.Thanks. PalBay

5-10 mph on private property. Only one of two safety chains connected. Trailer lights do not appear to be connected. A pile of whatever, appears to be a framework with dolly wheels, on an auto transporter. Load doesn't appear to be tied down, and it isn't level. I'd be going 5 mph as well.

I think they were using a vehicle that was handy to move a pile of stuff. That would be my simple explanation.

Looked at it again...I think it is a stage or platform, with access steps. Broken down into several sections.

[palbay]

Originally Posted by JCL

5-10 mph on private property. Only one of two safety chains connected. Trailer lights do not appear to be connected. A pile of whatever, appears to be a framework with dolly wheels, on an auto transporter. Load doesn't appear to be tied down, and it isn't level. I'd be going 5 mph as well.

I think they were using a vehicle that was handy to move a pile of stuff. That would be my simple explanation.

Looked at it again...I think it is a stage or platform, with access steps. Broken down into several sections.

Thanks...I'm certain the trailer is a towing certification rig.The white slabs are calibrated blocks of concrete....the white sheets of paper attached to the rig had weights printed on them.The unknown was what is the X5 testing relative to any future drivetrains.Thanks again. PalBay

[JCL]

Originally Posted by palbay

The unknown was what is the X5 testing relative to any future drivetrains.Thanks again. PalBay

Given that the 'blocks of concrete' are sitting on 6" castors, at rear window level, and not visibly secured, perhaps they were testing rear window impact resistance upon braking.

Still looks like a pile of stuff being moved.

[palbay]

Originally Posted by JCL

Given that the 'blocks of concrete' are sitting on 6" castors, at rear window level, and not visibly secured, perhaps they were testing rear window impact resistance upon braking.

Still looks like a pile of stuff being moved.

You are in fact correct.It has been pointed out to me by someone in the know that this is not a current test car.A yard car.Could have been an old test car,ie no badges.Sorry for any confusion.The "Spy Shooter" in me goes on high alert when I see unbadged slow moving BMW's. The pic's and post did elicit some new info on the next gen X5 from "BMW Insider" Scott 27.Thanks. PalBay If you cast your mind back to Genf 2008 and the BMW X5 Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept car, and you can see how the Vision will become a reality in more than one concept.
The BMW 5er Active Hybrid will be launched next year with six cylinder combined with electric motor.
But to really put the cat amongst the pidgeons , BMW are moving forward with the drivetrain featured in this original concept for the next X5.
Which means it's back up engine will be a four cylinder diesel combined to electric motors.
In europe there is the Active Hybrid models in one corner and the vast variety of diesels offering efficiency and more choice in the other.
Less so in the US for both the current X6 and 7 Active Hybrid models.

Back to go back to the original concept.
Part of the BMW EfficientDynamics program, this concept vehicle is the first application of a four-cylinder diesel engine with BMW ActiveHybrid technology in a large SAV. Here, the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder diesel engine supplies a maximum output of 204 horsepower and the 15-kilowatt motor adds 17 hp more, for a total of 221 hp.
Output from both engine and motor is sent to all four wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, with BMW's xDrive torque vectoring all-wheel-drive. The transmission, developed jointly by BMW and ZF Getriebe GmbH, is ready for serial production. This 8-speed automatic helps reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions through its direct connection to the engine and minimized torque-converter slip. BMW's xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system divides power variably between the front and rear axles.
The concept uses two parallel vehicle electrical systems, a conventional 12 volt system supplied by the AGM starter battery and an additional 120 volt system that's supplied by a generator and lithium-ion battery pack located in the luggage compartment. Rather than a conventional engine-driven generator, a compact generator is integrated in the aluminum crankcase housing. The high-power electronic system is flange-mounted directly onto the gearbox for a more compact design. Brake Energy Regeneration helps charge the battery.

A high-power, one square meter solar panel on the roof provides up to one kilowatt-hour of energy and preheats the transmission fluid to reduce friction during a cold start. After startup, the solar panel helps power accessories, particularly during idle when auto start/stop is functioning. During standstill it's designed to provide electricity for the climate control system, infotainment, phone charging, or the vehicle's battery charger.
Even the wheel rims were designed to help reduce fuel consumption in the interest of optimizing efficiency. The aerodynamic shaping of the spokes reduces rim ventilation power requirements by one kilowatt at 100 mph.




This would effectively make the next generation X5 Active Hybrid model the most efficient SAV in it's segment.
This could be such a current mule because of the proximity of the factory but Munich have some X5's with the prototype drivetrain on todays platform undergoing evaluation. __________________
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