Driving pleasure is in the DNA of every BMW M. Many components and technologies are responsible. One key factor is the Adaptive BMW M Suspension: it combines excellent handling with the highest levels of driving safety and allows the driver an impressive amount of control of the vehicle right up to the limit. In short: the typical high-performance character of an M model is based to a great extent on the components of this chassis. And that applies to all M vehicles: from Sedan to Coupé to SAV – every concept-relevant set-up bears the signature of the Adaptive M Suspension.
THE ADAPTIVE M SUSPENSION:
- Electronically controlled shock absorbers
- Stepless adjustment of damping forces via electro-magnetic valves
- Damping of front and rear axles independently adjustable
- Less wheel and body movement compared to standard suspension
- Wider track, higher camber
ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED SHOCK ABSORBERS.
Perhaps the most visible part of the Adaptive M Suspension is hidden behind the alloy wheels: the special shock absorbers. Electromagnetically controlled valves in the damper pistons allow the damping forces to be adjusted steplessly. When the valves are opened, more oil can flow from one damper pipe into the other and the damping effect is reduced. In this way, the chassis can balance out unevenesses more effectively and driving comfort increases. When they’re closed, the damping is tauter and the handling more direct: a desirable effect for driving fast on roads and racetracks.
The system can regulate all dampers individually and independently. Sensors ascertain the current movement of the chassis, the condition of the driving surface and the driver’s preference, e.g. the steering speed in a chicane. The optimal damping forces are calculated in a few milliseconds and constantly steplessly adjusted.
THREE BASIC SETTINGS AVAILABLE.
OPTIMIZED AXLE GEOMETRY AND KINEMATICS.
To guarantee the perfect functionality of the adaptive dampers, the engineers rework the entire axle geometry of each M car. This means that all components for the M specific kinematics and elasto-kinematics characteristics are redesigned and constructed anew. In the BMW M5, for example, the rear axle is therefore equipped with reinforced components compared to the standard chassis: a harder stabilizer, stiffer wishbones and harder rubber bearings.
The front axle gets a wider track, more camber, a lower roll centre and a bigger castor angle for the wheels. With a greater king-pin angle, the wheel on the outside of a curve can support itself better in bends. Stiffer elastomer bearings give the driver more direct feedback and increase the vehicle’s overall precision.
THE CHASSIS - IMPORTANT ELEMENT FOR MAXIMUM DRIVING DYNAMICS.
Shock absorbers and axles are the central elements of the Adaptive M Suspension. For ideal working conditions, these flexible components need one thing in particular: a stiff chassis. The BMW M engineers thus favour additional lateral and cross struts, which reinforce both the front and rear of the BMW M5. Thanks to the increased stiffness of the whole vehicle, precision and driveability when driving at the limit are significantly increased.
High performance in every detail: all the measures taken with the Adaptive M Suspension add up to the driving experience for which BMW M automobiles are known.
