Miele's new W 600 toploader series represents a convincing product concept. Alongside meeting the highest of requirements regarding gentle laundry care, user convenience and low consumption, Miele's new series of toploaders also meets calls for low sound emissions in both the washing and spinning cycles. This was recently confirmed by an independent product test carried out by Germany's SLG GmbH materials testing institute.
In this independent test, Miele's W 647 WPM was named the 'quietest toploader on the market'. This claim applies to both the wash and spin cycles. Alongside the Miele model, the test also covered five other toploaders from reputable manufacturers. This certificate is equally relevant to all other Miele toploaders from the W 600 series fitted with the same noise-abatement package. Models with lower spin speeds achieve the same low sound emissions even without insulation. Low noise levels are, of course, of particular significance on toploaders which are typically installed in bathrooms. In situations where even quieter operation is important, for instance at night when children are sleeping, an 'Extra quiet' option can be selected to reduce drum rotation even further and omit the spin cycle entirely. This new option is to be introduced first on toploaders.
Low noise levels are the result of a sophisticated technical design. Firstly, selected W 600 toploaders feature an insulation package which results in even the spin cycle being whisper-quiet. The machine design centres on a spaceframe construction with a floor tray, further preventing noise emanating from the machine along the floor. A DC motor with PWM (pulse width modulation) controls ensures quiet, smooth-running properties. In addition to this, all Miele toploaders have a third lid, in addition to the drum hatch and the machine lid, which further dampens sound emissions. The patented ComfortLift feature links the two outer lids to simplify handling.
Low consumption
A Triple A rating – best marks for energy efficiency, wash and spin performance – guarantees perfect wash and spin results. Thanks to the launch of an innovative spin profile even models W 643 WPM and W 647 WPM with a maximum spin speed of 1400 rpm achieve an A rating for spin efficiency. Models from the W 627 WPM upwards featuring Miele's patented sensor rinse also achieve a very low water consumption of only 45 litres. With respect to energy efficiency, Miele toploaders in the standard programme are 10% more efficient than A-rated models. This is achieved through a special spin profile. And, of course, the lower the residual moisture, the shorter the drying cycle that follows!
User convenience
The new toploaders are on a par with their frontloading counterparts when it comes to user convenience. User friendliness is assured on all W 600 toploaders through the design of the casing, the ComfortLift feature and the automatic drum positioning system. The latter ensures that the drum is automatically aligned with the drum hatch and secured in position on opening the lid. Depending on the model, Miele toploaders also excel in terms of the wide range of languages they offer, their transport base and a range of user interfaces involving rotary selectors and light-touch switches. Drum lighting, previously the preserve of only frontloaders, now also features on toploaders. Model W 647 WPM has a maintenance-free power LED. In order to keep energy consumption as low as possible, the drum lighting switches off automatically 10 seconds after closing the lid, or after five minutes if the lid is left open and the machine is switched on.
Miele's machine design is protected by international patent rights. A striking feature is the lid with a front bevel and a drum hatch inclined to face the user. The integrated control panel in the front section of the lid with a 38° incline ensures not only optimum clarity and simple programme selection, it also offers user convenience when loading and unloading the drum. The inclined loading hatch offers a clearer view into the drum. A machine height of 90 cm and a raised drum axis means that users do not need to stoop or reach in as far to retrieve laundry from the drum.
Patented design
A 20-year life cycle is de rigueur at Miele in the design and manufacture of new machines. At the same time, Miele always endeavours to incorporate innovative thinking and technology in its new products. This applies not only to external, visible features but also to what goes on behind the scenes. At the same time, Miele tries never to lose sight of its main aim of offering customers tangible improvements. And the new water-containing outer drum subscribes to this very principle, a drum design first implemented on a range of products for the North American market and now used on toploaders. The patented design is a combination of high-end materials in the form of a fibre-glass reinforced polypropylene drum and a cast-iron bearing cross.
Laundry care made easy
Modern consumers also expect a washing machine to be not only 'thorough' but also 'gentle' to laundry. Miele realised at an early stage that fabric care is also almost as important as the thoroughness of a wash, and steered developments in this direction accordingly. Thanks to a combination of patented Miele honeycomb drum and redesigned programmes, Miele washing machines guarantee optimum gentle laundry care together with low consumption. A further important contribution to gentle laundry care is Miele's programme selection philosophy which involves eliminating potential damage to laundry caused by incorrect programme selection. Miele standard and special programmes in themselves represent a significant contribution towards gentle laundry care. Programmes are designed to achieve optimum treatment of fabrics without compromising wash and rinse results, combined with low water consumption.
The fascia on all Miele toploaders is characterised by simplicity and clarity, ensuring simple operation despite a wide range of programmes. Miele offers two approaches to programme selection: rotary selectors and light-touch switches. User-friendly operating concepts are the results of useability tests which are regularly performed by Miele. The purpose of these tests is to determine the preferences and habits of target-group users at an early stage in the product engineering process. Useability tests are on-going trials and surveys which flank R&D activities and are not simply 'one-off' tests. Incorporating the results in new products guarantees simple, self-explanatory controls.
