BMW's Efficient Dynamics (2007) CAR review

I’m seeing a lot of talk about EfficientDynamics from BMW…

You are, because while we’ve read all about the technology – intelligent alternator control, glass mat battery, low-rolling-resistance runflats, regenerative braking (actually nothing of the sort, but still smart) – and have seen it put into practice with the remarkably abstemious 118d, BMW has even bolder aspirations. It wants one in every three cars sold to be fitted with the fuel-saving kit. Heck, even the new M3 has regenerative braking. So, can it make its transition into the volume end? Yes, it seems. BMW’s boast at launch was that it has no hybrid because it’s instead invested in cars we all buy. Well, we buy the 3-series most of all. And now, EfficientDynamics for the 3 is here.

What does it mean for my company 320d, then?

It means 59.1mpg and 128g/km of CO2. Yes, you read that right. For a 177bhp car that does 143mph and 62mph in 7.9 seconds to emit less CO2 than a 1.1-litre Fiat Panda is nothing short of astounding. And there are no lab-friendly, useless-in-the-real-world tricks either, simply remarkable efficiency from a bang up-to-date 2.0-litre diesel, complete with carcinogen-munching particulate filter. A big chunk of the 60,000 3-series sold per year are 320ds. The cumulative happiness for the environment that the 19 percent better fuel economy brings is going to be far greater than any hybrid.