3 gets more EfficientDynamics

With BMW recently unveiling series production plans for their Vision EfficientDynamics, a 2+2 hybrid supercar, the motoring world is speculating as to how and when this will come to fruition. The sheer speed at which the “concept” has become tangible design is remarkable, thanks largely to BMW’s comment that the Vision is simply the culmination and convergence of years of research and improvement (and implementation) of fuel saving and hybrid technologies, which are already embedded into their current models.

This way of thinking caused some head scratching, but is actually an obvious evolution path. So in almost a demonstration of this mindset, BMW has launched an awareness campaign regarding EfficientDynamics incorporated into their biggest volume seller – their 3 series sports sedan. In fact, EfficientDynamics componentry and technology has been embedded into the 3 series for almost a, but the sudden surge in commitment towards the improvement and homologenation thereof has resulted in such radical improvements that they warrant their own mention.

Whilst all 6-cylinder BMW 3 Series models have featured the on-demand operation of engine ancillary units (map controlled water and oil pumps) since launch in 2005, many other BMW EfficientDynamics measures have not been implemented in South Africa on the BMW 3 Series up until now. Now all BMW 3 Series Sedan models, except the BMW 335i and the BMW 330d, will feature Brake Energy Regeneration, along with an automatic

coupler for the climate control compressor and map-controlled oil pumps (6-cylinder models) as standard in order to save additional fuel.

In addition, the BMW 320d with manual transmission will also be equipped with a gear-shift point indicator, which shows the driver the optimal point to shift gear for maximum economy. Astonishingly, this 135kW engine, propelling a family sports sedan to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds, achieves fuel consumption improvements from 5.4-litres to 4.7-litres/100km. Carbon emissions are reduced from 140g/km to just 125g/km as well, which will reduce the vehicle’s emissions tax.

It’s not just the diesel engines that are receiving attention either. The petrol engines have also had the technology incorporated, with fuel savings on the 320i of 0.3-litres/100km, 0.4-litres/100km on the 323i and 325i engines and the 330i engine sparing 0.1-litres/100km. Carbon emissions have been cut by around 10g/km across the range.

An interesting industry benchmark that is emerging is the comparison of an entire manufacturer’s range of vehicles in order to assess its overall “greenness”, which is a mature approach considering that unit volumes are ultimately the yardstick regarding the environmental impact of any manufacturer. In this area, BMW are now considered “best in class” in an impact vs. performance comparison, where their entire EU fleet’s carbon emissions equate to 150g/km, which corresponds to an average engine consumption of 5.9-litres/100km, at an overall average output of 125kW. In plain English, this means that BMW are currently the undisputed segment champs when it comes to the combination between performance, fuel economy and carbon emissions.

- Kevin Willemse

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