BMW EV wheel that increases range by 10 km

BMW has unveiled the image of Aerodynamic Wheels developed for its new electric vehicle iX3. It is said that the range can be increased by 2% and extended 10km in the WLTP mode by simply installing a lightweight wheel with superior aerodynamic performance compared to the existing wheel. The iX3, which will be released within this year, is an electric car model of the X3, a compact SUV equipped with an internal combustion engine. Compared to the wheels on the X3, the new aerodynamic wheels have a 5% reduction in air resistance.

Moreover, the new wheel is 15% lighter, even compared to the wheels that have emphasized aerodynamics so far. Not only does it reduce the burden on the battery and motor, increase the cruising distance, but also improve the exercise performance and ride comfort because the vehicle spring load becomes lighter.

The black part of the wheel that becomes the base is cast aluminum, which is no different from the general vehicle aluminum wheel. The point is that a metal plate that rectifies air is embedded in the outer periphery of the V-shaped spokes. Aero wheels have been designed by many manufacturers including BMW, aiming to reduce air resistance by arranging the chaotic airflow in the wheel arch. However, in most cases, there was a dilemma of increasing the weight due to the number of plate-shaped parts that rectify air on the wheel surface, and the metal that constitutes it.

However, the metallic plate seen on BMW’s aerodynamic wheels is basically made of resin, which is lighter than metal, and aluminum that only gives off a metallic color on the surface. Acquired a patent for a manufacturing method by accurately inserting a resin plate into the spokes of an aluminum wheel. One of the objectives is to maintain a higher texture than to cover the entire resin covered wheel.

In addition, if the wheel body painting and insertion direction are combined, a point can be given to the body color using not only metallic but also various colors such as gloss or matte.

This technology is expected to be adopted not only in the iX3, but also in a variety of new electric vehicles from BMW in the future. Aerodynamic wheels will also be installed on the iNext and the 4-door coupe i4, which will be announced in 2021. However, considering the need to create a wheel with a variety of designs suitable for different models without compromising this aerodynamic performance and light weight, it seems that the designer’s effort will increase. Related information can be found here .