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kbannon 
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 Topic: BMW wins more awards
Posted: 31-July-2008 at 21:22 |
 What Car? Green awards 2008 - Editor's award - BMW Efficient Dynamics
22 July 2008
Amid the hullabaloo over headline-grabbing future technologies, it's
easy to overlook the giant emission-saving strides that have already
been made by BMW.
Efficient
Dynamics is the name of BMW's game. Its goals are simple: to improve
carbon dioxide emissions, increase mpg and reduce weight, while still
delivering the driving experience BMW buyers demand.
These goals
are achieved by making small savings across the whole car. It's not as
sexy as talk of hybrids, but the outcome is as effective as anything
else that's available now, and in some cases more so.
BMW uses a
combination of high-precision direct injection, brake-energy
regeneration, active aerodynamics, electric power steering, an optimum
gearshift indicator and low-rolling-resistance tyres to reduce
emissions.
Then there's Auto Start-Stop, which automatically
switches the engine off while you are stationary in traffic to save
fuel, then switches it back on again when you engage gear.
Other
manufacturers may have some of these technologies, but only BMW has
managed to combine them all. The company now has 21 models that achieve
over 48mpg while emitting 140g/km or less of CO2, which covers around
40% of its range.
In some cases the effect has been dramatic:
the 320d Touring now has a CO2 rating of 131g/km - 17% lower than last
year's model.
Longer-term, BMW admits that it will have to
take a different approach. It has invested heavily in developing
hydrogen-powered combustion engines and is looking into electric
hybrids.
For now, though, Efficient Dynamics is set to be expanded. It might not be rocket science, but it is effective.
'ED' in action
BMW's 318d with Efficient Dynamics uses less fuel and pumps out less CO2 compared with its nearest class rivals.
BMW 318d
2.0-litre diesel
Average fuel economy 60.1mpg
CO2 emissions 123g/km
Power 141bhp
Audi A4
2.0-litre diesel
Average fuel economy 55.4mpg
CO2 emissions 134g/km
Power 119bhp
Mercedes-Benz C200 CDI
2.1-litre diesel
Average fuel economy 49.6mpg
CO2 emissions 149g/km
Power 134bhp
Five-year gains
Car mpg CO2 (g/km)
2003 BMW 318i 39.2 175
2008 BMW 318i 47.9 142
2003 BMW 320d 49.6 153
2008 BMW 320d 58.9 128
2003 BMW 525i 29.1 228
2008 BMW 525i 36.7 183
2003 BMW 525d 40.4 187
2008 BMW 525d 44.1 171
2003 BMW 730i 26.7 257
2008 BMW 730i 28.0 241
2003 BMW 730d 33.2 227
2008 BMW 730d 34.4 216 |
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE
1997 E39 523i
2003 E39 525i Sport Individual
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kbannon
Admin Group
E39 525i Sport Individual
Joined: 09-October-2002
Location: 64 Zoo Lane
Status: Offline
Points: 15508
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Posted: 31-July-2008 at 21:21 |
What Car? Green awards 2008 - Executive cars
22 July 2008
Best buy - BMW 318d ES
Has
BMW discovered a secret formula? How else can we explain its total
dominance in this category? Well, there's no secret - just top-notch
engineering and a determined effort to make its cars as environmentally
friendly as possible.
The outcome is that the 318d is the
winner here by a mile. Most impressive is its CO2 output - just
123g/km. In this class, its nearest rival (apart from BMW's own 318i)
is Audi's A4 2.0 TDI, which emits 144g/km. The 318d also manages a
staggering average of 60.1mpg.
BMW's 2.0-litre diesel engine in
the 318d has always been one of the most efficient around, but it's now
cleaner and more frugal than ever.
It includes the full range
of measures in BMW's Efficient Dynamics programme. Aerodynamic tweaks,
electric power steering, a change-up indicator and a system to feed
power back to the car under braking play their part. All four-cylinder
3 Series also have a system that automatically stops the engine when
stationary to save fuel.
BMW has also boosted the 318d's power. It now has a healthy and flexible 141bhp.
The
car is smooth and quiet, too. Road and suspension noise are barely
noticeable, and you only hear the wind because there's so little else
to disturb you. Pin-sharp steering, crisp handling and outstanding grip
give a real connection between the car and the road.
Inside,
the entry-level 318d is as solid and classy as any other model in the
range, and you won't be complaining once you get settled at the wheel.
The driving position is just about perfect.
There's plenty of
adjustment should you need it, though, while the dash is simplicity
itself. There's lots of space up front, while those behind have decent
legroom.
Air-conditioning, alloy wheels, an MP3-input socket,
six airbags and stability control come as standard, which isn't bad for
just over £24,000. Also, although the 3 Series sells in large numbers,
it's as desirable as ever, so resale values are strong.
Faults?
The 318d doesn't have very many; rear headroom is a little tight, the
boot is an odd shape and the looks aren't to everyone's taste.
At
0.201g/km, NOx emissions are on the high side, too, but it's hard to
think of a car at this price - or any other for that matter - that
succeeds on so many levels.
Buying used There are lots of
used 318d ESs about, but finding one with the all-important Efficient
Dynamics system is the challenge. You'll pay from around £22,000 for
08-plate cars with delivery mileage from dealers, but prices quickly
rise depending on options.
Factfile
Best buy up to £25,000
BMW 318d ES
Price £24,100
Target Price £22,405
CO2 123g/km
NOx 0.201g/km
Particulates 0.000
Average economy 60.1mpg
Green verdict The 318d indulges you in luxury motoring - without the environmental guilt
 Best buy £25,000-30,000
BMW 520d SE auto
Price £28,940
Target Price £26,782
CO2 149g/km
NOx 0.144g/km
Particulates 0.000
Average economy 50.4mpg
Green verdict Even as an auto, the 520d is more energy-efficient than all its rivals
 Best buy £30,000+
BMW 530d SE auto
Price £36,785
Target Price £34,043
CO2 176g/km
NOx 0.189g/km
Particulates 0.000
Average economy 42.8mpg
Green verdict Corporate bigwig or eco-warrior? In the 530d, you can be both
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what car?...
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE
1997 E39 523i
2003 E39 525i Sport Individual
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kbannon
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Joined: 09-October-2002
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Status: Offline
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Posted: 31-July-2008 at 21:19 |
BMW wins more awards
31 July 2008
BMW has been presented with the Editor’s Award by What Car? magazine at
its prestigious Green Awards held at London Motor Show. The marque
scooped the honour for its widespread EfficientDynamics programme. It
is the second time the car industry’s buying bible has commended the
BMW product range for the advances engineers have made in performance,
emissions and fuel consumption. What Car? awarded a similar accolade to
BMW at its annual new car awards ceremony held in January, 2008.
BMW has also been presented with two honours in the 2008 Green Car
Awards from the Environmental Transport Association. The BMW 520d won
the Executive category and the BMW 320d the Large Family award for
their EfficientDynamics derived low CO2 emissions figures and fuel
consumption.
The Environmental Transport Association assessed over 1,300 cars on
sale, examining their power, emissions, fuel efficiency and even the
amount of noise produced to create a definitive ‘green’ buying guide
for customers. Judges noted that BMW had achieved an 11 per cent
reduction in CO2 emissions during the past 12 months with four BMW
Group models making it into the top five ‘most improved category’.
The BMW 5 Series scooped the award for Best Executive car in the Fleet
World Honours. The medium sized executive car beat other premium rivals
to top spot on account of its driving dynamics, class-leading
performance, consumption and emissions, and its comparative low running
costs. The BMW 3 Series won Best Compact Executive car, the BMW X5 won
Best SUV, while the BMW Group was presented with an industry-wide award
for its EfficientDynamics programme. |
source...
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE
1997 E39 523i
2003 E39 525i Sport Individual
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BMW wins more awards
