BMW 2006 Annual Report Download - page 35

34 Group Management Report
10 Group Management Report
10 A Review of the Financial Year
12 General EconomicEnvironment
15 Review of operations
38 BMW Stock and Bonds
41 Disclosures pursuant to §289 (4)
and §315 (4) HGB
43 Financial Analysis
43 – Internal Management System
44 – Earnings performance
46 – Financial position
48 – Net assets position
50 – Subsequent events report
50 – Value added statement
53 – Key performance figures
54 – Comments on BMW AG
58 Risk Management
62 Outlook
slow speeds and in traffic jams, but also ensuring
more comfort and safety in flowing traffic conditions.
The system will become available in BMW brand
cars during the course of 2007.
New dynamic driving simulator
In July 2006, the BMW Group’s new dynamic driving
simulator was commissioned, a further step for-
ward towards improving development and testing in
realistic conditions. This driving simulator enables
specialists to create test conditions that had pre-
viously only been possible with real cars on testing
grounds. In terms of the efficiency of development
work, it is essential that functionality, reliability and
the handling of innovative systems, such as driver
assist systems, can be fully tested at an early stage
in the development process. The driving simulator
therefore allows the timing of the practice test for
new systems to be brought forward. Being able to
carry out development work under laboratory con-
ditions brings significant benefits compared to a real
test drive. Every situation can be recreated as often
as necessary, thus enhancing the validity of statis-
tically evaluated results.
– the V10-5.0 litre engine (BMW M5 and BMW M6):
Winner in the 4.0 plus litre category
– the 3.2 litre straight six cylinder engine (BMW M3,
BMW Z4 M Roadster and Z4 M Coupé): Winner
in the 3.0 to 4.0 litre category
– the 3.0 litre twin turbo diesel engine (BMW 535d):
Winner in the 2.5 to 3.0 litre category
In November, ten days even before its official market
launch, the new MINI won one of the most presti-
gious international car awards, the Golden Steering
Wheel 2006. An international panel of 25 jurors
comprising motor sports personalities, automobile
experts and well-known car drivers tested the vehi-
cles for two days and adjudicated them in15 cate-
gories. In its class, the new MINI came out as winner
in seven of the 15 categories.
New absorber facilities built to test electro-
magnetic tolerance
In October 2006, new facilities to test electromag-
netic tolerance were commissioned at the BMW
Group’s Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ)in
Munich. For the first time, this test equipment en-
ables specialists to simulate the interaction of elec-
tronic systems and assist functions under realistic
driving conditions in order to ensure their reliable
functioning. In this context, engineers have to take
into account the fact that these systems create
electromagnetic fields of varying strengths which,
under given circumstances, can interact with or be
affected by electromagnetic fields from outside
the car. All incidences of interference are analysed
punctiliously in order to rule out malfunctions.
The new test complex, unique in this configura-
tion in the automobile industry, is also equipped
with roller testing facilities and computer-controlled
moveable dummies. It therefore allows the activation
of driving stability systems at exactly defined speeds
and the impact of other driver assist systems to be
simulated.
Driver assist systems make for the perfect drive
The BMW Group presented in July 2006 the Active
Cruise Control system with Stop & Go function at
one of its innovation days. This is an assist system
conceived first and foremost for driving on motor-
ways and fast roads. It covers a range of speeds
from 180 km/h down to zero. Active Cruise Control
with Stop&Go function accelerates and slows
down the car fully automatically, thus relieving the
driver not only in long convoy driving conditions, at