BMW EfficientDynamics now and in the future

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car has made its world debut at the Geneva Motorshow. The concept car is designed to showcase the possible future direction of BMW’s EfficientDynamics performance enhancing and emissions lowering innovations. But BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies aren’t all conceptual – far from it. At the same time, details have been published outlining the substantial CO2 and fuel savings that have already been made by BMW’s award-winning technologies.

Auto Start / Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and lightweight engineering have been offered on almost all BMW products since early 2007. In the UK, cars featuring EfficientDynamics technologies now account for over 95 per cent of all models sold. On a Europe-wide basis, this is expected to equate to more than 700,000 EfficientDynamics-equipped cars sold in 2008.

To put this into context, those 700,000 cars will save more than 33 million gallons of fuel compared to pre-EfficientDynamics cars sold in 2006. This leads to a reduction in CO2 of 373,000 tonnes in Europe, 54,000 tonnes of which will be saved in the UK alone. If translated into energy, this would be enough to provide all the residents of Geneva, the city where the Vision EfficientDynamics has debuted, with electrical energy for more than four years.

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics shows the direction that BMW’s innovative EfficientDynamics technologies could lead in the years to come and the even greater CO2 savings that could be made. A mild ActiveHybrid system has been brought together with a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, a new eight-speed automatic gearbox and even roof-mounted solar panels to deliver the best fuel economy and lowest emissions of any large 4x4 currently on sale.

The X5 concept delivers 43.5mpg on the combined cycle and just 172g/km of CO2 emissions – unprecedented in the large 4x4 segment. However, using BMW’s innovative twin-turbocharged two-litre diesel engine that delivers more than 100hp per litre, the car still offers drivers BMW’s traditional performance appeal. It completes the sprint from zero to 62mph in just 8.9 seconds, a time faster than most current production competitors.

BMW scoops Auto 1 Innovation Award at Geneva
BMW has again been officially recognised as the lead automotive manufacturer in environmental technology. The marque has been honoured with the Innovation Award at the prestigious Auto 1 Awards ceremony held at the 78th International Geneva Motor Show.

The awards are pan-European and supported by the motoring titles of 26 countries. They are voted on by a combined readership of 40 million people. BMW was given top honours because of its innovative EfficientDynamics technologies that cut fuel consumption and emissions while improving output and performance.

David Johns, Editor in Chief of Auto Express, said: “We can think of no more worthy winner for this year’s award. BMW’s Efficient Dynamics is not just a brilliant way of saving fuel, but an important step towards reducing the CO2 emissions of the UK’s vehicle fleet.”

News of the award comes swiftly after BMW was also honoured for its green credentials by What Car? magazine, CAR Magazine and other notable European motoring organisations.