BMW's Efficient Dynamics delivers greenest premium manufacturer award

According to independent research,BMW has the lowest average CO2 emissions of any premium car manufacturer. BMW records a UK fleet average of 159 g/km based on all BMWs sold in 2008.

Last month, What Car? magazine awarded BMW's 3 series, its most popular model range, the title of 'Best Compact Executive' for the fourth year running. Towards the end of last year, the 3 series also polled top slot in a very large survey to find the most reliable models.

BMW first made available EfficientDynamics-equipped cars in 2007. Models were delivered with Auto/Stop,Brake Energy Regeneration, Active Aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres , electric power steering,optimum gearshift indicator features and on-demand ancillary systems. These benefits added to existing lightweight engineering and direct engine technology make for the award winning performance.

Glad to be able to report an improving environmental performance in the premium 'big' car area.

For more details you can go to the BMW site where you can use the online vehicle comparator giving independent data for BMW models and their rivals.

Volvo introduces two new and greener car diesel engines to drive down CO2 emissions

In spite of the lower current fuel costs ,Volvo recognise that the need to develop more efficient engines is as pressing as ever, and announces:

* New and improved D5 and 2.4D diesel engines available from spring 2009 in the Volvo S80, V70, XC60 and XC70
* New 2.4D brings CO2 emissions down below the all-important 160 g/km Writing Down Allowance threshold for company cars due for introduction on 1 April 2009

Volvo has sharpened its diesel range with the introduction of two new five-cylinder, 2.4-litre turbo diesels, the 2.4D and D5. The new engines have resulted in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions whilst also offering a power boost.

Both engines carry the familiar 2.4D and D5 engine names and will be available in the Volvo S80 executive saloon, Volvo XC60 crossover and Volvo V70 and XC70 premium estates from late spring 2009. The new D5 engine offers a 20 PS performance boost to give 205 PS and 420 Nm of torque. The 2.4D single turbo features 175 PS, an improvement of 12 PS, and 420 Nm of torque. The new technology has allowed CO2 emissions to drop as follows:

CO2 figures
Model

Previous 2.4D engine New 2.4D engine Previous D5 engine New D5 engine

Volvo S80 169 g/km 154 g/km preliminary 169 g/km 164 g/km preliminary

Volvo V70 178 g/km 157 g/km preliminary 178 g/km 169 g/km preliminary

Volvo XC60 199 g/km 159 g/km preliminary 199 g/km 185 g/km preliminary

Volvo XC70 199 g/km 159 g/km preliminary 199 g/km 185 g/km preliminary

"This is yet another step in our determination to reduce the combustion engine's environmental impact, at the same time as we give customers even more refined and sophisticated engines with excellent performance," says Derek Crabb, Vice President, Powertrain Engineering at Volvo Cars.

New high-performance D5 engine

The lowest co2 emissions 5-door family car in the UK


The Green Car Guide reports:

"With its three-cylinder 67 bhp 1.0-litre engine, the Alto costs just £6,795 and will join three other models in the Suzuki range with emissions of less than 120 g/km, including the newly-introduced 1.0-litre Splash GLS variant.

Combined fuel consumption is 64.2 mpg and annual road tax (VED Band B) is just £35."

This car goes on sale from 1st March next.

For the full report click here

Even lower CO2 emissions from the new Fiat 500 Stop & Go


Called Fiat 500 Start&Stop, new technology based on the most successful Fiat 500 version – the 1.2 Lounge – brings together benefits from the combined expertise of automotive parts specialist Bosch and Fiat Powertrain Technologies.

The Start&Stop system stops the engine automatically (without the driver turning an ignition key) whenever traffic conditions bring the car to a complete halt, and restarts it when the driver wants to move off again.

This is a newly introduced option on the Fiat 500, which will give the popular city car even better fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures.

According to Fiat, the 500 Start&Stop becomes available at £9,500 OTR, and is the most ecological version in the Fiat 500 petrol range. With Start&Stop, CO2 emissions on the 1.2 engine are just 113 g/km, while fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 12 per cent (urban fuel economy figures).

For the Fiat website click here

The Fiat 500 Start&Stop fuel consumption figures are:


START&STOP
1.2 69 bhp


LOUNGE
1.2 69 bhp
Fuel Consumption
urban cycle mpg (l/100km)
49.6 (5.7)

44.1 (6.4)
extra-urban cycle mpg (l/100km)
65.7 (4.3)

65.7 (4.3)
combined cycle mpg (l/100km)
58.9 (4.8)

55.4 (5.1)
CO2 Emissions (g/km)
113

119

Fiat’s Blue&Me hands-free telecommunications and entertainment system is standard on 500 Start&Stop, which means the car also benefits from eco:Drive, the system that allows customers to monitor and improve on their CO2 emissions and fuel consumption figures.

“We have been promising new ideas and features on our award-winning Fiat 500 since it was launched last year, and here is yet another example,” says Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. “This is an important development for the 500 as it will help to make what is already a fuel-efficient, value-for-money car an even greater consideration for town and city drivers.”

The Fiat 500 range starts at £8,100 for the 1.2 Pop, rising to £10,900 for 1.3 MultiJet or 1.4-litre Lounge or Sport versions.

Further information:


Start&Stop is based on a starting procedure (battery and cranking system) able to perform a fast engine restart and deal with a far higher number of starts than a standard system.

Several sensors and control strategies are employed to manage stop and restart operations, to guarantee safety, driveability and energy balance of the car with a minimum impact on heating and other services in the car.

Engine stop is only allowed once a speed of 6 mph has been achieved after pulling away. To restart the engine the clutch pedal must be depressed. The Start&Stop system can be manually activated or deactivated using a button switch.

Start&Stop will not activate in certain cases, including engine still cold, battery in low charge state, heated rear window active, front wiper at maximum speed or reverse gear engaged (in a parking manoeuvre).

If the engine has been stopped and the clutch pedal has not been depressed for more than three minutes, the engine can only be restarted using the ignition key. Similarly, if the engine has been stopped and the driver’s seat belt has been unfastened, or a door has been opened, engine restart will only be achieved with the key.