PressClub United Kingdom · Article.
July News in Brief.
Fri Jul 21 12:40:00 CEST 2017 Press Release
Digital Charging Service: Intelligent and sustainable battery charging for BMW i and BMW iPerformance vehicles. • Fast, safe and convenient charging with the new BMW i Wallbox Plus and BMW i Wallbox Connect. •BMW Accident Call (A-Call): New BMW Teleservice available providing assistance for low speed accidents. • BMW i wins International Engine of the Year award for the third year. • BMW is a triple winner at the Auto Express Awards 2017.
Press Contact.
Chris Overall
BMW Group
Tel: +44-1252-92-1809
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Author.
Chris Overall
BMW Group
Digital Charging Service: Intelligent and sustainable battery
charging for BMW i and BMW iPerformance vehicles.
The BMW i brand has become a pioneer in the field of sustainable
and individual mobility, not only thanks to ground breaking vehicle
concepts and drive technologies but also with the innovative services
on offer.
The latest innovation is unique to the BMW Group and offers
customers the opportunity to take advantage of favourable electricity
tariffs or a high proportion of self-generated solar energy during the
battery charging process of BMW i and BMW iPerformance vehicles.
The BMW Digital Charging Service takes into account not only
tariffs with a variable price in the daytime, but also those that
include predetermined highest and lowest prices. As a result,
customers can take advantage of particularly favourable overnight rates.
It works by automatically scheduling the start and finish times
of each charging process with a view to achieving the best possible
cost efficiency or maximum proportion of green electricity. The
charging schedule always ensures that the vehicle has the maximum
battery capacity at the desired departure time and that the interior
is also fully pre-conditioned.
In conjunction with the new BMW i Wallbox Connect, the Digital
Charging Service can also optimise the use of the customer’s home
solar panels to ensure the most cost-efficient method of vehicle
charging. The amount of locally generated solar electricity is
predicted based on the system’s performance data and the current
weather forecast. Using this data, it is possible to determine the
proportion of solar electricity that is not consumed in the home at
the time of being produced and therefore be used for emission-free
mobility.
For vehicles built from July 2017 onwards, the BMW Digital
Charging Service is included for one year; thereafter, customers can
renew their subscription to the service in the ConnectedDrive Store
for an annual fee of just £45. For vehicles built pre July 2017,
Digital Charging Service can be retrospectively added and renewed via
the Connected Drive Store for the same annual fee.
Fast, safe and convenient charging with the new BMW i Wallbox
Plus and BMW i Wallbox Connect.
The new BMW i Wallbox
Plus is one of two home charging units available from BMW for the BMW
i3, i8 and iPerformance Vehicles. Launched earlier this year, the BMW
i Wallbox is 40 per cent more compact compared to its predecessor
models and for added security includes integrated authentication using
an RFID card (Radio Frequency Identification), enabling automatic
identification of several vehicles.
With a charging output up to 11kW (with a three-phase supply),
customers can recharge their vehicles 70 per cent faster than with a
standard charging cable, for example, BMW i3 customers can charge
their vehicles to 80 per cent capacity in less than three hours.
The new BMW i Wallbox Connect benefits from all the same
features as the BMW i Wallbox Plus, however adds further intelligent
and interactive functionality. The BMW i Wallbox Connect is fully
Wi-Fi enabled for simple integration to home networks and compatible
smart home systems, these include Loxone and MyGEKKO. Intelligent
charging is also possible with Digital Charging now available from BMW.
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*Dependent on the local electricity infrastructure. Charging time corresponds to a charge of 80% of maximum capacity and based on a single-phase supply current
BMW Accident Call (A-Call): New BMW Teleservice feature
available providing assistance for low speed
accidents.
BMW A-Call is a new, free of charge service
which sits within the BMW teleservices offering. It provides instant
assistance, 24 hours a day whenever the vehicle detects a low speed
accident or collision prior to airbag deployment. Once detected, the
customer can connect to BMW Accident Assistance Agent in just one
click via the iDrive system.
Depending on the extent of the damage, the Accident Assistance
Agent can arrange for recovery of the vehicle or, if driveable, the
customer can be sent information of their chosen Approved BMW Body
Shop directly to the Head Unit of the vehicle. By doing so customers
can be assured that only Genuine BMW Parts and materials will be used
and fitted by fully trained BMW technicians.
BMW A-Call will be available on the new BMW 7 series and BMW 5
Series models from July 2017 and all new models thereafter.
BMW i wins International Engine of the Year award for the
third year.
For the third year in a row the drive
system powering the BMW i8 has triumphed in its class – the 1.4-litre
to 1.8-litre displacement category – at the International Engine of
the Year Awards.
This bespoke plug-in hybrid system, developed and produced by
the BMW Group, enables a range of up to 23 miles in the EU test cycle
and a top speed of 75mph on electric power alone. This coupled with
all-wheel driving and powerful acceleration creates exemplary
performance as well as ground breaking levels of efficiency.
The International Engine of the Year Awards were launched in
1999, since when a total of 68 class and overall wins have gone to
power units developed for BMW models.
BMW is a triple winner at the Auto Express Awards
2017.
Three categories were awarded to BMW at this
year’s awards: the BMW 5 Series was awarded the Best Executive Car of
the Year; the BMW i3 was awarded Electric car of the Year and the BMW
i and iPerformance vehicles claimed the title of Auto Express 2017
Technology Award. The BMW 3 Series also received a commendation as the
Best Compact Executive Car.
The BMW i8 was praised for its impressive economy given the
performance of the car and the judges were impressive with how this
technology has carried over to more modern models including the 3
Series, 7 Series and most recently the new BMW 5 Series Saloon
iPerformance. This model was also commended on its driver assistance
features and key advances in technology with launch of the BMW
Connected App and in-car tech now available.
The BMW i3 REx was the winning model of the Electric Car of the
Year award. Auto Express judges, said: “The i3 remains as appealing as
ever. Its cabin feels smart, clever and sophisticated, with some of
the best infotainment in the business and use of sustainable materials
reinforcing the car’s eco-friendly theme without impacting on quality.”
The BMW 5 Series reclaimed its crown to win the Best Executive
Car award, thanks to its blend of style, refinement and technology.
The judges chose the BMW 520d SE as their favourite model. They
commented: “The SE version gets the same impressive and intuitive
infotainment system, a digital dash and just as much comfort, agility
and quality. The 2.0 diesel engine also offers the best balance of
performance and economy.”
Ends
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI,
Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading
premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides
premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW
Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries
and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2016, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.367 million cars and
145,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax was approximately
€ 9.67 billion on revenues amounting to € 94.16 billion. As of 31
December 2016, the BMW Group had a workforce of 124,729 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
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Twitter: @BMW_UK
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LinkedIn: BMW Group UK Limited
YouTube: BMW UK
For further information please contact:
Gavin Ward BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 01252 921261
Email: Gavin.Ward@bmw.co.uk
Lauren Prema BMW Media Relations Executive
Tel: 07815 370746
Email: Lauren.Prema@bmw.co.uk
Piers Scott General Manager, Product and Internal Communications
Tel: 01252 921265
Email: Piers.Scott@bmw.co.uk
Graham Biggs Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 01252 921256
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk