BMW heads for steer and brake by wire.

BMW's latest concept car takes advantage of a host of cost-effective and weight-saving electronic technologies. John Hartley reports on how the BMWs of tomorrow are shaping up

In its latest concept car, designed to be ready for production in 2005, BMW has combined a whole range of high-tech features including steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire and the use of large carbon fibre body panels. Its engineers have also devised an interim system called Active Steering.

The Z22 is not just one more concept car, but one intended to take advantage of the large number of cost-effective electronics systems coming into use. To benefit from the new electro-mechanical systems, BMW has designed a car with a new layout. For example, the four-cylinder engine and Continuous Variable Transmission are mounted in front of the rear axle, where the fact that they are connected to the driver's controls by wires only, …