Intelligent energy management featuring Brake Energy Regeneration likewise serves to further enhance the efficiency of the V8 power unit in the
new BMW M3. In this case the power required for the on-board network is generated specifically during overrun and during application of the brakes, serving to charge the car’s battery at exactly the right time without taking up any of the energy contained in the car’s fuel. As long as the engine is “pulling” the car, therefore, the alternator generally remains disengaged. Apart from particularly efficient generation of electric power, this also serves to provide more drive power and traction for supreme acceleration at all times.
I thought this was pretty cool. Has this been offered on a car before?
Possibly not on a car, although it will be across the range in new BMW's very soon.
However regenerative braking has been used for many years on commercial vehicles used on Alpine roads in Europe. Mainly as a brake assist to easy the heat load on the normal friction brakes.
The BMW innovation is a battery and electronics system to make the best of this even on flat roads. They reckon about 2 - 3% saving on fuel consumption.
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M5 - Weapon of Mass Consumption
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