BMW 2004 Annual Report Download - page 126

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[Variable Twin Turbo technology]
The BMW diesel innovation VariableTwinTurbo con-
sists of two different-sized, successively activated
turbochargers. Depending on engine speed, the in-
take air is compressed by one of the turbochargers
or by both, as required. This multi-stage charging
process is regulated by specially designed electronics.
The 20 percent or so increase in power that can be
achieved with Variable Twin Turbo technology com-
pared with state-of-the-art diesel engines greatly
exceeds that of former individual stages. At the same
time, Variable Twin Turbo technology broadens the
diesel engine’s usable speed range significantly.
[xDrive]
xDrive is a new, intelligent all-wheel drive system with
active dynamic suspension control. It ensures not
only optimum traction in difficult road conditions, but
also increased driving safety and more dynamic
performance thanks to its electronically controlled,
fully variable flow of power between front and rear
axles.
[Sports Activity Vehicle]
The BMW X5 is the first-ever Sports ActivityVehicle –
a combination of a typical BMW sedan featuring
sporting and comfortable driving features on the
one hand, with far-reaching driving abilities in terrain
on the other. This creates a new market segment.
In 2004, the BMW Group added another SAV, the
BMW X3, to its model range.
[Subscribed capital]
The share capital of a company is computed by
multiplying the nominal value of the shares by the
number of shares.
[Supplier relationship management]
Supplier relationship management (SRM) uses f o-
cused procurement strategies to organise net-
worked
supplier relationships, optimise processes
for supplier qualification and selection, ensure the
application of uniform standards throughout the
group and create efficient sourcing and procure-
ment processes along the whole added-value
chain.
[Sustainability]
The process of stable, ongoing development.The
United Nations Conference on the Environment
and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992
resolved a global action plan for combating poverty,
ensuring a suitable population policy, promoting
urban development, human rights, trade, agriculture,
environmental protection, research and technology.
Referred to as Agenda 21, this action plan serves
to ensure sustainable development preserving the
world’s natural resources and limiting the emission
of pollutants into the environment to a volume the
world can absorb or degrade.
[VALVETRONIC]
VALVETRONIC provides variable valve lift, taking
over the function of the throttle butterfly which is
no longer required. The result is an engine able to
breathe freely, saving fuel in the process.