BMW 2003 Annual Report Download - page 25

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001 BMW Group in figures
004 Report of the Supervisory Board
008 Supervisory Board
011 Board of Management
012 Group Management Report
12 A Review of the Financial Year
29 Outlook
30 Financial Analysis
44 Risk Management
047 BMW Stock
050 Corporate Governance
054 Group Financial Statements
118 BMW AG Principal Subsidiaries
120 BMW Group 10-year Comparison
122 BMW Group Locations
124 Glossary, Index
Research and development shaped by product
offensive
Numerous new models, engines and innovations
characterised the research and development activi-
ties of the BMW Group in 2003.
The new BMW 5 Series Limousine, for exam-
ple, synthesizes many innovative features. The
BMW Group is the first automobile manufacturer in
the world to use a mixed construction technique
in the preliminary stages of body making which
combines structures made of steel and aluminium.
Amongst other contributory factors, it is due to
this technology that, depending on the model, the
total weight of the car is up to 55 kg lighter than its
predecessor – with corresponding positive effects
on consumption and driving dynamics.
The active steering system is another world
“first” which is available as an optional feature, and
for which the BMW Group was awarded the German
industry prize for innovation in 2003. This electroni-
cally controlled system also won the Technology
Award of the Year 2004, awarded by the American
specialist magazine “Automobile Magazine” and
the Trophée d’Innovation awarded by the French
magazine “L’Automobile Magazine”.
Under normal driving conditions, the active
steering system provides a more direct response at
low to medium speeds. This reduces the amount of
effort involved in steering and makes the car con-
siderably easier to handle. At higher speeds, steering
is less direct and ensures stability for straight driving
and well-controlled steering. Numerous other inno-
vations, such as the Head-Up Display, which can
be supplied on request, the adaptive light control,
Dynamic Drive or the six gear system all underline
the leading innovative and technological position of
the new BMW 5 Series.
The new BMW 6 Coupé – the car with which
the BMW Group carries on the tradition of the origi-
nal 6 Series (1976 –1989) and of the great luxury
coupés – offers completely new technological
features. The aluminium/steel-mix bodywork is com-
plemented by the rear lid opening and plastic side
panels of the 6 Series Coupé. These features help
to reduce the weight and permit virtually equal
axle load distribution, and also have a favourable
effect on driving dynamics and fuel consumption.
In 2004, a four-seater cabrio will complete the new
6 Series.
The outstanding characteristic of the high-per-
formance BMW M3 CSL model is its consistently
lightweight construction.The entire roof, for example,
is made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic. Increased
curve speed and optimal agility are achieved
through the combination of low total weight and a
lower centre of gravity.
The new BMW X3 came into being in a very
short space of time thanks to an innovative approach
to development. The BMW Group was responsible
entirely for the development of the X3 concept, whilst
some of the series development was in the hands
of Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in Graz, Austria,
where the new Sports Activity Vehicle is also being
manufactured on a contract production basis.
One highlight of the BMW X3 is its four-wheel
system, xDrive, which offers a continuous and fully
variable distribution of power between the front and
rear axles. The system immediately recognises
when it is necessary to alter power distribution and
reacts in an extremely short time. xDrive therefore
offers a significant increase in agility and driving
enjoyment, and, at the same time, improves safety.
Stability control systems, such as DSC, do not need
to come into action until a considerably later stage
than in traditional four-wheel drive systems. With
xDrive, it is also possible to make better progress
on unsealed or smooth surfaces since power is
transmitted rapidly to the wheels to increase road
adhesion when there is a threat of wheel-spin and
hence loss of traction.
The revised BMW X5 model is also equipped
with the new xDrive four-wheel system and more
powerful engines. The model revision is completed
by a new aesthetic appearance.