A jury consisting of 47 motor journalists from 24 countries has awarded the BMW 118d, a model that displays all facets of EfficientDynamics, with the “World Green Car of the Year” at the New York International Auto Show 2008.
Judges of the World Car of the Year Awards praised BMW and its 118d for offering buyers a model with a range of innovative technologies that reduce fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions as standard. The three- and five-door BMW 118d record an impressive 62.8mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of just 119g/km - putting it into the Band B category for Vehicle Excise Duty.
To help it achieve these impressive figures, EfficientDynamics technologies such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop and Electric Power Steering are employed to cut fuel bills and emissions. An optimum gearshift change indicator is included to encourage economical motoring.
Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO of BMW of North America, said: “BMW is very excited that the BMW 118d with EfficientDynamics won the World Green Car title. The measures that we’ve implemented within our EfficientDynamics strategy into every BMW mean that we’re able to provide customers with the driving pleasure they expect from a BMW, while still meeting the stringent requirements for fuel-efficiency and low emissions.”
The award has cemented BMW as the world’s leading producer of environmentally friendly premium cars and comes swiftly after BMW received recognition for EfficientDynamics by winning similar ‘green’ awards in the UK and abroad. What Car? and CAR magazine ‘Green Awards’ and the Fleet News Environmental Award were presented in the UK. A host of other European publications and organisations, including the coveted Auto 1 Innovation Award presented during the Geneva Motor Show, have also been bestowed on BMW.
Judges of the World Car awards previously presented BMW with the World Car of the Year honour for the 3 Series model range in 2006. This time the BMW 118d was chosen ahead of 10 other environmentally friendly production vehicles for the World Green Car of the Year.
Green facts
The BMW 118d, BMW’s most economical car with fuel consumption of 4.7 liters/100km (50 mpg US), combines the new technology with the use of further lightweight engineering. The car now has an aluminium crankcase to save weight. Aside from the BMW Hydrogen 7, the BMW 118d also posts the lowest ever CO2 emissions of any BMW: 123 g/km.
Second generation common-rail diesel engine with aluminium crankcase achieves with output of 143 hp / 107 kW (up 21 hp) while peak torque is 300 Nm / 221 lb-ft (up 20 Nm). Combined fuel consumption is 4.7 l/100km (improves by 19%) and CO2 emissions are 123 g/km (down 18%).
Brake Energy Regeneration (iGR) uses an Intelligent Alternator Control (IAC) and an absorbent glass mat battery to reduce drag on the engine by only engaging when required to charge the battery, whereas a traditional alternator is always pulling power from the engine. Additionally, the energy generated by the engine on over-run (under braking or descending a hill) was previously wasted. Now this previously lost energy is utilized by the IAC to charge the battery. iGR alone is responsible for a three per cent improvement in fuel economy.
The use of Electric Power Steering results in a 90% energy saving compared to a conventional mechanical hydraulic steering system. Power assistance is now provided by an electric motor that works only when required, such as turning a corner. Other fuel saving enhancements have been made courtesy of various ancillary devices, such as the air-conditioning power supply being disconnected from the drivetrain when not in use. Even flaps behind the kidney grille improve economy, closing up for improved aerodynamic efficiency should the engine require less airflow. The feature also improves cold starting times.
