m3conv.pdf

Product Selling Points

January 2008

BMW M3 Convertible

M DCT Drivelogic

Product

Argumentation

Sheer

Driving Pleasure

The BMW M3 Convertible

with M DCT Drivelogic.

Open season for motorsport.

Management

Marketing

Sales

New Automobiles

Sales

Used Automobiles

After Sales

Administration

Innovation. Crafted at BMW M.

BMW M3 Convertible M DCT Drivelogic 03

A world ﬁ rst, available on all BMW M3 models:

the M DCT Drivelogic Dual Clutch Transmission,

for uninterrupted acceleration.

Introducing the fastest gearbox ever built: the M DCT Drivelogic. Now nothing interrupts the ﬂ ow

of power to the wheels. The result is that the BMW M3 Convertible accelerates signiﬁ cantly faster

(0.2 seconds faster from 0 to 100 km/h) than with a manual transmission. This is the ﬁ rst time a dual-clutch

transmission has been ﬁ tted on a car in this class.

Four generations of technology leadership,

thanks to technology transfer between

motorsport and production models.

1996. Sequential M Gearbox on the

BMW M3: the ﬁ rst automatic transmission

in a sports car.

2001. Second-generation Sequential M

Gearbox featuring Drivelogic functionality

in the BMW M3.

2005. A third generation of groundbreaking

technology: 7-speed transmission with

double selector rod technology in the BMW M5

and BMW M6.

2008. Introduction of M DCT Drivelogic Dual

Clutch Transmission on all BMW M3 models.

Once again, BMW M has raised the bar for

the competition.

7 th gear

6 th gear

5 th

4 th

3 rd

2 nd

With conventional

transmission

With M DCT Drivelogic –

0–100 km/h in

0.2 seconds less

1 st gear

BMW M3 Convertible M DCT Drivelogic 05

How do you create a transmission where the

ﬂ ow of torque is never interrupted?

New M DCT Drivelogic (optional).

Uninterrupted acceleration from a standstill all the way up to maximum speed – the combination of new

M DCT Drivelogic and 420 horsepower delivers a truly unforgettable experience. From spring 2008, the

new Dual Clutch Transmission will be available as an option on all BMW M3 models. Drivers can switch

between the seven gears in the same way as they would in a Formula One car. Gear changes are made via

either the shift paddles on the steering wheel or the gear selector lever – there is no clutch pedal, and

no need to lift your foot off the accelerator. If you want a more relaxed driving experience, select automatic

mode and the system will initiate gear changes itself.

In line with the M philosophy of bringing motorsport technology to road-going vehicles, M DCT Drivelogic

is a transmission that’s perfectly suited to the demands of racetrack driving. Optimum acceleration is

ensured by the intelligent application of increased torque in the clutching process, allowing a dynamic

driving style to be sustained over extended periods of time.

Clutch 1

Clutch 2

M DCT Drivelogic – how it works.

Engine

Clutch 1

Clutch 2

With conventional transmissions, every gear change

involves three stages: declutching, selecting a new gear,

and re-engaging the clutch. But with M DCT Drivelogic,

there is just one stage. Because there are two clutches,

the clutch that is connected to the engine can be

disengaged while the other is already being engaged

with the next gear. This effectively eliminates shift

times, and ensures there is no interruption in the

transmission of power to the wheels.

The M Dual Clutch Transmission essentially works in

the same way for both up and down-shifts. However,

which gear is preselected depends on how rapidly the

accelerator is depressed. With kick-down, the system

selects the gear that will provide the best acceleration.

Gear set 1

Gear set 2

1 st

2 nd

gear selected

gear preselected

Wheels

Not just gear selection, but preselection too –

the key to the new BMW M dual clutch technology.

In simple terms, what the BMW M engineers have done is take a 7-speed gearbox and split it into two smaller

gear sets, each with their own clutch. One gear set contains the even-numbered gears (2, 4 and 6), and

the other the odd-numbered gears (1, 3, 5 and 7), as well as reverse. This allows two gears to be engaged

simultaneously – while one gear is carrying engine torque to the drive shaft, a gear from the other set can

also be engaged. This means that when a gear change is made, the new gear is connected to the power

in the instant that the previous one is disconnected, so nothing interrupts the ﬂ ow of torque to the wheels.

Depending on which Drivelogic setting is selected, gear changes can be totally seamless (Drivelogic 1)

or clearly noticeable (Drivelogic 5).

Gear set 1

Gear set 2

By combining two gear sets into one.

BMW M3 Convertible M DCT Drivelogic 07

Gear changes that work like Formula One –

and feel like Formula One.

How new M DCT Drivelogic

converts engine output into drive.

The beneﬁ ts at a glance.

The BMW M3 with M DCT Drivelogic features similar transmission technology to that found in the BMW Sauber F1 car illustrated.

In other words, the BMW M3 now offers a comparable gearshift experience to Formula One, based on the same technological principles.

– Uninterrupted ﬂ ow of power. Makes maximum use of the available power of the engine, by ensuring

it is never disconnected from the wheels.

– Sportier driving experience. 7-speed transmission with optimized gear ratios.

– Improved driving dynamics. Reduced dynamic load changes and improved roadholding when

changing gears in corners.

– Enhanced comfort. Automatic, almost imperceptible gear changes in the most comfort-oriented setting.

– Greater practicality. Similar to conventional automatic transmissions, the disengageable low-speed

assist offers drive-at-idle for low-speed driving, heavy trafﬁ c, and parking/manoeuvring.

– Lower fuel consumption. Uses up to 1.4 litres less fuel per 100 kilometres than models with manual

transmission (comparison is with BMW M3 Convertible over EU urban cycle).

– Ease of use. The engine can be started whatever position the gear selector lever is in.

– Automatic park brake. The Auto-P function uses the transmission to automatically activate a park

brake when the engine is switched off, for maximum convenience.

– Automatic gear shifts. Gears selected for maximum acceleration with kick-down and a touch of the

down-shift paddle.

The BMW M3 with Dual Clutch Technology.

There’s no faster way to change gear.

Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are all looking at dual-clutch transmissions, but as yet none of the

direct competitors to the BMW M3 offers a solution of this type. Porsche started experimenting with

the technology as far back as the 1980s, when it raced a prototype with a dual-clutch transmission built

by ZF, and is expected to introduce this on production models in 2008. The company currently offers

both manual and conventional automatic (Tiptronic S) transmissions.

Audi does already include dual clutch transmission technology on some production models, but these

have much less power and torque than the BMW M3. AMG too offers nothing comparable, and the

Mercedes CLK 63 AMG is only available with the AMG Speedshift 7G Tronic automatic transmission.

What this means is that no competitor model offers the beneﬁ ts of dual-clutch technology. The BMW M3

is the only car in its class available with a high-performance sports transmission of this kind.