BMW´s EfficientDynamics drives down emissions

This year in the UK BMW expect to achieve another record year of sales, around 116,000 units.

BMW said this week that their world sales would also be a new record with 1.4 million new cars sold in 2007, one year ahead of target. By 2012 BMW expect to be selling 1.8 million cars worldwide.

This week BMW in the UK has been revealing the latest additions to their ranges, new engines and the increased use of their EfficientDynamics technology to reduce CO2 emissions while improving fuel economy and performance.

With the latest changes all models in the BMW range, except the Z4 and the aging 7-Series, incorporate Efficient Dynamics in their design, construction and performance.

Figures sourced this week from BMW UK show that sales of new BMW cars with EfficientDynamics in 2008 will reach at least 109,000 units for the year. This will mean a saving of 45,720 tonnes of CO2 in 2008. Cars sold prior to the end of 2007 with the EfficientDynamics features will add to this CO2 saving figure.

Carl Sanderson, general manager product and marketing planning for BMW UK said, “Our EfficientDynamics programme has produced a 15 per cent reduction in CO2.

"Each BMW car with EfficientDynamics has seen its CO2 output reduced by an average 26g/km and this means that in 12 months of motoring each car, on average, will save over a third of a tonne of CO2 emissions.”

Why is BMW Group headlining their EfficientDynamics programme? Pressure from environmentalists but more significantly requirements by the European Parliament that all new engines will have to meet Euro 5 standards by 2010 and it is proposed that the EU will require an average 130g/km CO2 limit across a brand’s entire range from 2012.

However on this date, and the exact CO2 levels required, the EU and the vehicle manufacturers are still negotiating.

Although the discussions are on-going most major manufacturers are already introducing new technologies to reach whatever emissions targets the EU decides upon. BMW’s Efficient Dynamics programme is probably the most advanced with its progress at this stage.

The programme offers solutions for providing increased power and performance but with improved fuel economy and lower emissions.

In addition to developing and introducing high performance direct injection petrol and diesel engines and transmissions with higher gear ratios and ‘smart’ electronics, BMW is making increasing use of lightweight materials for body panels and components.

Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Stop Start and power saving Electric Steering are also components of the EfficientDynamics programme. BMW are also trialling emission free Hydrogen fuel usage with their 7-Series.

Reviewing their new model introductions this year BMW UK said yesterday, so far this year they had introduced their 3-Series Convertible with the retractable hard top, the new X5, the revised 5-Series Saloon and Touring range, the 1-Series 3-Door models and the M3.

The latest autumn 2007 changes involve the revised 6-Series Coupe and Convertible models and the introduction of the new 1-Series Coupes. Other latest introductions include the 320d, 520d and X3 2.0d, all big sales volume models.

Views

Meeting BMW customer’s traditional requirements for high performance, rear and four wheel drive models, whilst satisfying worldwide legislations for lower engine emissions and better fuel economy, without loosing sales seem unachievable targets.

The quandary is not just for BMW but applies to all vehicle manufacturers. Some makers can reach the new low emissions targets easier than others as they produce small and medium sized, relatively low powered cars for the volume sales sectors.

For sporty premium brands the task is much harder and BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme, together with the introduction of state of the art high performance petrol and diesel engines and clever fuel saving transmissions, appears to allow both requirements to be met, power/performance with lower fuel use and CO2 emissions.

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