BMW Has 2-Year Steering Exclusive

BMW AG engineers say the auto maker has a 2-year worldwide exclusive to use its new Active Steering system, which launches as an option for the all-new '04 5-Series.

The technology electronically augments a vehicle's power-steering system to enhance responsiveness and provide a new level of safety.

In North America, Active Steering will be available only as part of a $3,300 Sport package for the 525i, 530i and 545i that also includes sport suspension with Active Roll Stabilization, upgraded seats and larger wheels and tires. The Sport Package is standard for the high-performance 545i 6-speed.

The Active Steering system uses an electronically controlled auxiliary planetary gearbox to augment the 5-Series' standard hydraulically driven Servotronic power-assisted steering.

A company executive says BMW negotiated a 2-year exclusivity agreement with ZF Linksysteme, BMW's partner in developing Active Steering. ZF Linksysteme is a joint venture between German suppliers Robert Bosch GmbH and ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

ZF Linksysteme developed the Active Steering hardware, which is supplied as a module, but BMW engineers are responsible for the software that dictates system parameters.