X1: First test mule spy shots

[Wagner]

I hate that test mule...I hate it..hate it..hate it....

Got to love the trailer sporting BMW rims.

[Fredo]

Hiw do they know that's the X1? The suspension mounts do like those of a 4X4 I suppose

[X5Dawg]

Originally Posted by CGSTL

You've got to be kidding me! How could they possibly test anything under that skin and on those GMC Harvester wheels?

I was thinking the exact same thing - what would they be testing with that thing??

[scott27]

This vehicle is known inside BMW as "FABEAN" - a suspension / body stress measurement vehicle. This test vehicle is used to test suspension work of a certain vehicle (X1 in this case) at different loads - measuring the stress / forces on suspension & body. With this vehicle we check IRL the computer calculations we have made during the initial suspension development.

Later the data from FABEAN are applied to suspension load simulator - where we eg. simulate entire vehicle millage on the Ring during the whole lifecycle of the car. Yet this test is done in 2 weeks only!
With this simulation we check the structure of the suspension - and tweak it if needed way before the prototype production starts.

[AlpineMsix]

Originally Posted by scott27

This vehicle is known inside BMW as "FABEAN" - a suspension / body stress measurement vehicle. This test vehicle is used to test suspension work of a certain vehicle (X1 in this case) at different loads - measuring the stress / forces on suspension & body. With this vehicle we check IRL the computer calculations we have made during the initial suspension development.

Later the data from FABEAN are applied to suspension load simulator - where we eg. simulate entire vehicle millage on the Ring during the whole lifecycle of the car. Yet this test is done in 2 weeks only!
With this simulation we check the structure of the suspension - and tweak it if needed way before the prototype production starts.

thank you, always have wondered what the hell these metal things are makes sense now

[d-rive]

Nice car :P

[LeMansX5]

Chop from 1-series and X6 with an M3 hood hump.