Motors

Motors BMW’s efficient cars for a greener future BMW’s efficient cars for a greener future

Words MHH International-A Prestige Car Importer

Startupmagazine.co.ke April 2020 German-built BMW cars have been highly regarded in the world of prestige motoring and their future plans include building upon this reputation. Thirteen years ago the brand introduce its ‘Efficient Dynamics’ technology package which, in their words, remains unrivalled in the car manufacturing industry to this day. The good news for buyers of recently pre-owned vehicles is that emission and fuel efficiency is in-built, whilst for buyers of new models the future holds even greater emission reduction and sparing use of fuel.

Efficient Dynamics As time progresses, this BMW technology is consistently reducing fuel consumption, and by association, emissions, without any loss of the driving dynamics for which BMW cars are famous. In short, it’s possible to be more ecologically minded without any loss of driving pleasure. Their vehicles are meeting and will meet all the European Union regulations in full. the vehicles, they say. On the aerodynamics side for example, active air-flap control is now in its third generation. It has also been revealed that the new BMW iX3 scheduled for launch at the end of 2020 (subject to the current global crisis) will be fitted with the latest generation of BMW aerodynamic wheels. Other manufacturers in the mainstream sector will be playing catch-up on this aero-science. The technology behind the new wheels has resulted in a five percent reduction in drag coefficient compared to conventional BMW X3 wheels plus a 15% weight

saving over the previous BMW wheel types.

The most aerodynamically efficient current model overall, the new BMW 3 Series Saloon, has a Cd figure of just 0.23, earning it the title of “best in segment”. Intelligent lightweight design has also led to some major efficiency-boosting advances. This has made it possible to reduce the weight of models from one generation to the next, despite increases in size and safety enhancements.

Further Enhancements

The wide range of power-train systems on offer also plays a fundamental role in the BMW Efficient Dynamics concept. From highly efficient internal combustion engines with 48V electrical systems to plugin hybrids and all-electric vehicles: minimising the input while maximising the output. Additionally, the advent of 48V mild-hybrid technology greatly expands the possible uses of Brake Energy Regeneration. This technology made its debut in the four variants of the BMW 520d in the Autumn of 2019 and will be extended to the BMW 3 Series, BMW X3 and BMW X4 ranges in spring this year (again, depending on the current situation).

Future Plans Future plans include The i-Hydrogen NEXT, shown to the public at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, which represents a potential fourth pillar in the company’s power-train range. We learn that BMW engineers have been working with Toyota on fuel cell technology since 2013. The underlying conditions for supplying “green” hydrogen are not yet in place however, meaning it will still be some time before the company actually brings out a production vehicle with this technology on board.

Systematic Roll Out Of Targets

As a result of all these technological measures, consumption and CO² emissions have been cut by more than forty percent over the last thirteen years. What is more, the BMW Group will comply in full with the European Union’s emission targets, thanks in part to the rigorous deployment of ED technology across all model series. Thanks to BMW Efficient Dynamics and the ongoing electrification of the model range this figure will drop by a further 20% overall in the coming year.

That’s why BMW cars are so successful. Couple this with the sheer driving pleasure these vehicles offer it is no surprise that the brand consistently has the best sellers across the various prestige sectors. If the BMW range appeals then why not talk to us here at MHH International about your next BMW.