BMW is trying something new with the 1 Series, in an experiment it’s not shouting about just yet in case it falls flat.
Don’t worry, it’s nothing too far-out. We’re not getting a front-drive 1 Series or anything (yet). No, BMW’s playing with the idea of adding engine output meter functionality, via the multi-menu flexibility of its iDrive control system.
The 1 Series features a so-called ‘control display’, showing current power and torque output of the engine. These figures are displayed on very BMW-style electronic dials, whose orange markings ping up and down to show just what the engine’s up to.
They are very cool, fascinating to watch and reveal plenty. Three things they illustrate:
- The importance of torque
Power is a function of torque and revs, and it’s torque that does the work for you. Notice how the torque dials fills up slightly faster than the power dial, particularly at low revs?
That’s because it’s the Nms that are getting it moving, rather than power. That’s more critical at higher revs only – you’ll also see that the torque dial hits its peak quickly, with power rising as the revs grow. Which is more relevant more of the time, then?
- European markings
Power is displayed in kW; torque, in Nm. It’s not clear if this will be reconfigured for UK use – and, if so, into what. We like bhp; PS will be close enough for a digi-meter, I guess. We also prefer lb.ft for torque, but car makers are increasingly using Nm.
Could BMW’s choice of units help contextualise and familiarise people with modern Euro power units – and if so, could this help pan-EU standardisation if BMW sticks with what’s shown here?
- How overboost works
The 1 Series’ TwinPower Turbo engine in the new 116i has an overboost function, that raises maximum torque from 220Nm to 240Nm. The 118i shown here does not: its 250Nm is constant. Even so, the ‘peak’ pointer on the torque dial flicks back and forth from 240Nm to 205Nm a couple of times, as it will in the 116i… still, therefore, showing the principal of time-dependent functionality of overboost…
Feedback
‘We’re introducing it on the 1 Series to get customer feedback,’ said BMW’s Dieter Leimig. ‘If it is positive, it will go onto other cars.’
Being a dial geek, I like BMW’s new feature. Other makers have done it – Nissan GT-R springs to mind* – but this is something real-world and easily added to other BMWs with the ConnectedDrive (and Professional nav) system.
If they go down well, expect to see them on the new 3 Series, due out later this year. After that? Well, I’m eager to see what M does with them…
Are dials and instrumentation finally be, after years of being stripped back, about to get interesting again? On behalf of dial geeks everywhere, fingers crossed.
Oh, and if you want to see them in action, check out this video from the launch of the new BMW 1 Series:
* The last-gen Hyundai Coupe also sported a torque dial, on the centre console. Calibrated in Nm, maybe it was (*cough*) responsible for inspiring BMW?
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