BMW prides itself in the drivability of its electric vehicles as noted in the brand’s tagline – “Electric Driving Pleasure”. Thanks to its instantaneous torque from zero revolutions, electric vehicles can be difficult to tame but owing to the clever traction control system of the i3, anyone can enjoy an electric BMW anytime, anywhere.
Sporting a BMW eDrive system that deploys 181 hp and 270 Nm of torque from zero rpm, BMW had to employ an innovative traction control to tame the instantaneous power delivery. The traction control system used in the i3 helps improve traction and stability in less than ideal weather and road conditions, especially when accelerating out of tight corners.
Head of Chassis Development at BMW, Peter Langen, explains: “With their high levels of torque and instantaneous responses to every movement of the accelerator, electric motors already make significantly higher demands on driving stability systems than conventional power units.”
Unlike conventional driving stability systems, the i3’s traction control system operates 50 times faster by doing the calculations directly in the powertrain. This cuts down the long signal paths in conventional systems, resulting in quicker and more accurate reactions in the traction control system.
Now, BMW has confirmed that the i3’s innovative traction control system will be fitted into all BMW and MINI models (front-, rear- and all-wheel drive included) to provide drivers greater assurance and driving pleasure in adverse driving conditions.
