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The 2007 X5 will feature FlexRay-powered AdaptiveDrive that will change handling characteristics with a press of a button

BMW Group today announced the inclusion of the FlexRay communications protocol in the newly redesigned X5 Sports Activity Vehicle, which the carmaker hopes to further advance its efforts in its active suspension technologies.

Freescale Semiconductor will be producing the 32-bit FlexRay microcontrollers to help enable 10Mbit/s bandwidth for communication between systems for such automotive applications as active and passive safety, collision avoidance, powertrain management and driver assistance.

BMW’s adoption of FlexRay technology is expected to give drivers improved access to handling and stability control capabilities. With the simple press of a button, drivers of the new BMW X5 can choose a sporting or comfortable ride on the fly. BMW has named its new feature AdaptiveDrive, which is a combination of Active Roll Stabilization and Electronic Damping Control.

FlexRay technology is not exclusive to only BMW; DaimlerChrysler, General Motors and Volkswagen also belong to the FlexRay Consortium.

"The FlexRay communications standard is continuing to gain support with key OEMs in Europe, Japan and the United States and is expected to be used by vehicle makers to enable exciting new safety-critical and performance features, as well as making on-board networking of existing electronics systems more robust," said Chris Webber, vice president of the Automotive Practice at Strategy Analytics. "Bringing this technology to the market first clearly demonstrates BMW's dedication to cutting-edge technology in providing its customer with innovative product features and an enhanced driving experience."

The new BMW X5 will be launched in North America at the end of November 2006 and will be available in other markets worldwide in spring 2007.

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Enough is enough.
By exdeath on 11/20/06, Rating: 0
RE: Enough is enough.
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 1:36:01 PM , Rating: 2
I can't even stand our '06 Avalon sometimes.

What good is that almost 300 HP V6 when the traction control nerfs the acceleration?

And sometimes you wanna punch it when rolling and the auto transmission doesn’t want to down shift and peg the tach when you want it to.

On the other hand, while driving around in town, you barely touch it and you burn the tires? All because there are 20 computers that dynamically learn past driving conditions and tries to adjust?

Sorry, a computer will never replace a driver’s brain or experience, for those of us who can actually drive.


RE: Enough is enough.
By bnme on 11/20/2006 2:01:00 PM , Rating: 5
Except you're comparing one car to another. The systems on a BMW is not the same as the one on a Toyota, or another brand.

I'd take good traction control and an automatic transmission (with "tiptronic"), as would a Formula 1 team and their driver, if they had the choice to go with our without (and they do... traction control and semi-automatic transmissions).

Take the automatic transmission in the new Porsche 911... it's faster than the manual, and it'll know better than most humans when to shift gears, even in turns (read the countless reviews out there... it works very well, even on a race track).

The computers are there to help you, and worry about little things which you could be totally oblivious to, and if the system is good (which is probably true for most luxury and high-end sports cars), it will put the car where you want it to go. Then you can worry about where you want your car to be, and the computers (which have faster reflexes than you), can worry about how to get there, in the fastest and safest manner.

And without a doubt, a lot of drivers out there are not exceptionally good drivers.


RE: Enough is enough.
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 2:12:11 PM , Rating: 2
No offense, but I would not want an automatic(in the classic sense), no matter how much 'control' they give me - I hate torque converters.

Now, the 'automatic' transmissions you seem to be talking about are actually dual clutch manuals, with computers controlling the clutches(and paddles to let the human decide when to shift if it's in 'manual' mode).

Also like you, I would prefer good traction control(with a disable button!) over a car without it that was equal in all other ways.

So basically: The computers are not the problem. The way they're used is the problem(or the solution, depending on the car)


RE: Enough is enough.
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 2:37:52 PM , Rating: 2
Not convinced. I won't be getting rid of my Tremec T56 6 speed manual any time soon. I prefer more than 230 HP, WAY more, and those fancy transmissions are quite delicate. There is a reason the Z06, Viper, Cobra, etc. all use the T56.

All the traction control on the Cobra did was cause severe wheel hop, even with a beefed up braced and reinforced IRS. That much power is going to light up the wheels and cause spin, period, and a computer that is programmed to not allow spin, well you can see the obvious logic conflict here... I suppose it’s not a problem in a 4,000 lb BMW with only 200 HP.

Interestingly enough, I recall seeing several videos of the '03 Cobras pulling over 1g skid pad and hanging with and even passing C5s, C6s, and BMWs. No computer control and with a 30 yr old chassis design to boot.

I'm of the opinion all this technology in cars is to attract the yuppies that can't wait to get the next 1-up on the Jones’. Stuff like this is just something new to brag about because car phones, blue head lights, and TV screens with DVD players are soooo yesterday’s news. Computer controlled this and that, automatic power cup holders with blue LEDs, LCD on the keychain, etc. Just more useless stuff that only exists to fuel the “does your car have this? Mine does!” fodder. (I hear this on campus all the time, it’s disgusting). It’s also the reason all these new cars coming out are well over 4,000 lbs!!!

Call me old school; I just prefer simple things that work without the dress up to distract me from what counts.


RE: Enough is enough.
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 2:40:41 PM , Rating: 2
Interestingly enough, I recall seeing several videos of the '03 Cobras pulling over 1g skid pad and hanging with and even passing C5s, C6s, and BMWs. No computer control and with a 30 yr old chassis design to boot.

Oops, this was meant to be stated in the context of closed road courses with lots of twisties and turns, the kind that people say American cars can't perform well on.


RE: Enough is enough.
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 3:01:11 PM , Rating: 2
To be fair, the '03 cobra is very new technology even compared to the late-90s 'stangs.

It is a very nice car, but way out of my price range. ;P

(And no, not all american cars lack handling, but the american 'classic' muscle car focus was on straight line 1/4 mile acceleration, not high-Gs. There have always been exceptions to that rule though, some of which blew the doors off of almost all comers.)


RE: Enough is enough.
By Merry on 11/20/2006 3:29:24 PM , Rating: 2
some of which blew the doors off of almost all comers.


I'm at a loss as to which cars you're going on about. The new Viper maybe? The only other one I can think of is the Gt40, which was designed by Lola, in the UK, to the best of my knowledge. Its not an insult of any kind, it just happens that your roads are fundamentally different to ours, therefore your cars will have different priorities.


RE: Enough is enough.
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 3:40:21 PM , Rating: 2
Ok, I guess that's fair, all the cars I was thinking about were designed for the rally scene, which means heavy input from European tuner houses. :P


RE: Enough is enough.
By bnme on 11/20/2006 3:22:09 PM , Rating: 2
There's a difference between plasma screens, chrome wheels, and stuff like electronic stability control and "tiptronic" (stating the obvious). One is extra bling to pimp out your car and make it heavier and less drivable, and the other is trying to make your car more, well, drivable.

It's also not that fair to compare these electronic systems in a Chevy to a BMW to a Porsche. These systems perform entirely different depending on how they're implemented. Some of the higher end "semi-automatic" transmissions (no need to use clutch) can shift in a tenth of a second or less, while others take take 3 to 4 tenths of a second. It also isn't like the new 911 Turbo lacks horsepower (450 - 500), and can probably run circles around most cars out there, on full automatic.

Anyways, you're not alone... some people prefer to have a more "raw feeling" while they're driving. But these electronic helpers, if implemented well, don't slow a car down.


RE: Enough is enough.
By lemonadesoda on 11/20/2006 3:44:03 PM , Rating: 2
The Cobra's are beautiful beasts. And classics. But really, you can't compare an engine on wheels with a mass produced, luxury 4 wheel cruiser with 4 doors, 5 seats, a trunk and a ROOF.

Try comparing your Cobra with a European 2 seater sportscar like a McLaren, or Mosler, or Koenigsegg, or Pagani Zonda. Now you've got more equal terms. Or rather. Not equal. LOL


RE: Enough is enough.
By ToeCutter on 11/20/2006 3:50:34 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Except you're comparing one car to another. The systems on a BMW is not the same as the one on a Toyota, or another brand.

Simply not true.

The components might not be identical, but nor are they radically different or superior.

Most of the systems you've described are neither developed or manufactured by BMW. Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers develop and manufacture them. BMW simply integrates them into their products.

The automatic 5-speed in my (former) BMW 540i was manufactured right here the good 'ol US of A, by Allison Transmission, a subsidary of General Motors.

Most cars built in the past 10 years include parts from well over 300 different automotive suppliers.


RE: Enough is enough.
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 4:00:54 PM , Rating: 2
All that is true, but the software settings and details of the implementation differ greatly from car to car, even within the same manufacturer(sometimes because the actual component suppliers change).

As I've said at least twice elsewhere in this thread: It is not the computer controls that are bad, it is how they are used/implemented that CAN be bad. It can also be very good. Many people who drive sports cars have complained about ABS systems kicking in when they aren't needed. This isn't a problem with ABS - this is a problem with their car having ABS that kicks in too early. My car's ABS doesn't kick in unless the wheels lock, simple as that. And in the couple situations they HAVE locked, I have been thankful I decided to buy the ABS option(Despite the two options forced on me as 'requirements' of the ABS system. How the ABS requires a sunroof and subwoofer I'll never know, but that's how they roll out of the factory ;) )


RE: Enough is enough.
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 2:06:40 PM , Rating: 2
You've got good points, but you also illustrate why I simply hate automatics. My car has a 'learning' ECU like most new cars, and I think it does a fine job, but I do drive a manual, so I don't have to worry about torque converters or computerized shifting. And I don't have traction control to cut the fuel when I'm trying to spin the tires... Toyota only offers a few cars where you can disable the traction control, most companies offer a button to turn it off so that you can do what you need to.


RE: Enough is enough.
By ceefka on 11/21/2006 5:21:14 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
but I do drive a manual, so I don't have to worry about torque converters or computerized shifting.


To each his own. Some people drive a computerized automatic to not worry about manual shifting.

You've watched Die Hard 3 too many times.


RE: Enough is enough.
By rushfan2006 on 11/20/2006 4:09:25 PM , Rating: 2
Very very sweet ride....also very VERY much to high priced for my blood.... ;)

But as my dad says about fast cars today (he used to build hot rods back in the '60s with his bud and they raced them of course too)...get all that power and speed to go what? 100 feet to the next red light?

Unless you live out in the sticks or like the Central part of the country....just not enough room to get up and go...especially up here in the North East....way too much congestion.


RE: Enough is enough.
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 4:40:56 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah its stop light to stop light around here. Its all about getting to the speed limit first and how much distance you've put on the person behind you when you do.

You can bet your ass that when I drive my '95 Camry that every Tom, Dick, and Harry who knows they have 10 more HP than I do will be starting it with me at every light. So I feel no remorse when I return the favor in spades of several orders of magnitude.

I live in new construction on the edge of civilization and I have a 20 mile commute to work at 6am. Lots of 55-75 mph divided highway with very few lights and cross roads for 90% of my trip. Added bonus of 25+ mpg :)

God help the ricers who think they can catch me. I also get my share of n00bs with 0 day old temp plates on their brand new Chargers, Eclipses, Magnums, Corvettes, BMWs, etc., who think they are invincible, and out to race everyone on the way home from the lot.

I'm more than happy to do my share in making them loose sleep at night questioning their purchase! roflcopterz


Ich Liebe der BMW
By slickr on 11/20/06, Rating: 0
RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 2:44:46 PM , Rating: 2
You should check out the videos of 3,700 LB American cars owning your BMWs on closed road courses; the kind that BMW lovers claim is their territory. *GRIN*


RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By MightyAA on 11/20/2006 3:00:51 PM , Rating: 3
Regardless, the driver is the most important part of getting the most out of any car. I've (on the track) taken my Saab out and flat out turned in better times than Mustangs, Vette's and Porsches.. 230 hp in a flexy chassis vs much better cars. Anything that takes away my control isn't a good thing.

Like you too, I am not hampered by "lacking" these wonderful features.. I don't even have traction control.