Drive modes are nothing new, however BMW might go for extra detailed customization in future efficiency EVs.
First noticed by CarBuzz, a latest patent software filed with the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) goes past present drive modes, permitting drivers to tailor issues like throttle mapping and torque supply to dramatically change the conduct of a automotive.
As a substitute of a restricted variety of modes like Sport and Eco with fastened settings, this method would give drivers a graph from which they may select customized settings, in accordance with the appliance. It takes benefit of the larger flexibility of electrical motors, which could be powered up or down in a linear trend, like a dimmer swap. And since most electrical powertrains use single-speed gearboxes, automobile pace extra instantly correlates to accelerator-pedal place.
Benefiting from these qualities, BMW’s proposed system relies round acceleration and pace curves. The acceleration curve is just like the throttle mapping utilized in present internal-combustion vehicles, and the pace curve equalizes a sure pedal place to a sure pace. Each could be adjusted by dragging the curve line alongside a graph displayed on a automobile’s touchscreen, per the appliance, which additionally means that BMW’s Hans Zimmer-designed EV sounds might shift relying on these changes.
BMW tailor-made EV drive mode patent picture
As CarBuzz notes, there are just a few potential advantages to this method. By selecting non-linear pace or acceleration curves, drivers might mimic the conduct of an internal-combustion automotive, briefly disabling the flat torque curve inherent to an electrical motor in favor of the peaks and valleys of a gasoline engine’s torque curve. Automobiles may be programmed to speed up extra steadily than they might in any other case, offering a security internet for novice drivers or these not used to the ability or sudden acceleration of efficiency EVs.
Patented concepts do not at all times make it to manufacturing, however we all know that BMW is planning electrical M vehicles. It already sells the iX M60 and i4 M50, and not too long ago confirmed the 650-hp i7 M70. It has additionally teased fashions with extra intensive upgrades, together with a four-motor drivetrain.
