The new BMW 7 Series’ four wheel steering system adjusts its operations to the car’s speed

The new BMW 7 Series is equipped with four-wheel steering or 4WS to help one to manoeuvre the car’s considerable bulk effectively.

The saloon, which weighs nearly two tonnes, is fitted with a steering system that adjusts the way it operates based on the car’s speed. Below 55kmph, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels. Above that, all four wheels turn in the same direction to allow for sharper cornering and quick lane changing.

Operating the 4WS in the 7 Series is BMW’s own FlexRay high-speed data transmission technology. The system works 20 times faster than conventional systems. So communication between the electronic dampers, steering and other systems of the car is quick, providing the driver with a consistent and linear driving feel.

Yet another car fitted with 4WS is Nissan’s iconic GTR. Given Nissan’s tremendous performance though, its steering system is tuned differently than the one in the Big Bimmer.