Because I had some pre-awareness of how technology-laden the 545i is, I was as prepared for the iDrive challenge as
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| The ever-industrious engineers at BMW have developed a steering system that magnifies the amount of effect driver input has at low and medium driving speeds. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
humanly possible, and keen to experience BMW's Active Steering technology - which incidentally won AJAC's (Auto Journalists Association of Canada) 2004 award for "Best New Technology." The ever-industrious engineers at BMW have developed a steering system that magnifies the amount of effect driver input has at low and medium driving speeds, giving the car go-cart-like nimbleness and agility. Conversely the technology diminishes the amount of effect driver input has at high speeds, making the car less susceptible to unintentional movement. This electro-mechanical magic is accomplished via the use of a planetary gear integrated into the steering column, enabling an electric motor to increase or decrease the steering angle of the front wheels depending on the vehicle's speed.
So what's the benefit you ask? Well, it's under debate by many automotive journalists and just like lawyers, no group of car critics can agree on anything. Many feel that BMW's Active Steering system does not contribute enough to handling performance to make up for what they say is an unnatural feel. I disagree. Now that I have sampled this technology for myself, I fall squarely in the pro-Active camp. I enjoyed the instant turn-in at low speeds and favored the straight-line stability at high speeds. Slow speed maneuvering of the fairly large, Active Steering equipped 545i is delightful. Less than two rotations of the steering wheel are needed to travel from lock to lock during parking
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| I disagree with journalists who say BMW's Active Steering system does not contribute enough to handling performance to make up for what they say is an unnatural feel. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
situations. Most automotive steering setups require more than three rotations to complete this task. Driving about town, through parking lots and around tight corners is accomplished with ease and precision, although there may be an adjustment period necessary to eliminate the tendency to cut corners too sharp, risking a clipped curb or scraped fender - ouch. Drive the 545i at highway speeds and above, and gone is the twitchiness that often accompanies sports cars engineered with lightening quick turn-in. In real world, city and highway driving Active Steering prevails over conventional systems requiring significantly more effort. Without track-testing the 545i, I won't wade into the debate any further; other than to say the combination of these juxtaposing strengths makes the 545i one fine handling ride.
