Energy Efficiency is Essential in Motor Vehicles. At BMW, Dynamic Performance is Equally Essential.

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How BMW is Achieving Both Goals, Today and Tomorrow.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ -January 4, 2006... Motor-fuel prices hovering between $2 and $3 per gallon in the U.S., much more in some parts of the world. Hybrid vehicles the "talk of the town." Americans, accustomed to inexpensive and plentiful fuel, are newly aware of energy efficiency in motor vehicles. We at the BMW Group - we who design, engineer, market, service and otherwise represent BMW - have always been concerned with the efficiency of our vehicles, and for us too this awareness is newly heightened. Who, indeed, could ignore worrisome current events and trends: oil production and refining interrupted by hurricanes; rapidly increasing energy consumption in developing countries, especially huge China; and the paradoxical proliferation of large, heavy Sport Utility Vehicles not only right here at home, but in unlikely places like France?
In motor vehicles, there is a historic tradeoff - perceived, at least - between performance and fuel consumption; between luxury and fuel consumption; even, in some perceptions, between safety and fuel consumption. The more of one, so the legend goes, the more of the other. And yet the creative minds that design and engineer motor vehicles have always been able to improve on that tradeoff, that compromise: to achieve better performance, greater luxury, enhanced safety and other desirable attributes without correspondingly higher fuel consumption. And when the challenges increase, as they are doing in our time, creative minds rise to the challenge, motivated to achieve greater progress.
BMW: always a leader in efficient dynamics
For a little historical perspective, take the car that put BMW "on the map" in the U.S.: the 2002.
There it was, the BMW 2002, arriving in 1968 - a time when the typical American automobile was powered by a large V-8 engine, likely loaded with an inefficient automatic transmission and multiple power features, large and heavy: fuel economy simply wasn't a priority.
Yet in Europe, fuel economy had always been a priority: high taxation of motor fuel simply made it so. Even so, BMW had cultivated a tradition of dynamic performance. The 2002 typified BMW's efficient dynamics of the day: a compact, upright sedan seating four persons, weighing only 2210 pounds when most domestic cars were closer to 4000 lb., and achieving lively performance - 0-60 mph in 10.4 seconds, according to Road & Track, June 1968 - while also achieving fuel economy superior even to that of domestic "economy" cars. (There were no EPA mileage ratings in those days, but Road & Track reported 22-27 mpg.) More importantly, the 2002 was fun to drive. In testing the 2002's smaller-engined but otherwise similar predecessor, the magazine concluded that it was "one of the best automotive values from any country - brimming with handling, ride, finish, refinement of running and even good style." Now BMW added more power into the equation. The 2002's message was: performance, fuel efficiency and, not incidentally, practicality too in one fun-to-drive vehicle. Efficient Dynamics.
All due respect to the advances that had been, and were being, achieved by U.S. automobiles. They pioneered the mass production of powerful V-8 engines, automatic transmissions, power steering, air conditioning and other comfort and convenience features; but fuel-efficient they weren't, nor were they "dynamic" in the overall sense of the word.
BMW's Efficient Dynamics today
The world and its motor vehicles have changed dramatically since 1968. So has BMW. But the BMW philosophy of Efficient Dynamics has remained a constant. Perhaps more than any other motor vehicles in today's world, the widening range of BMWs powered by the new N52 6-cylinder engine perfectly defines Efficient Dynamics. Compared to their predecessors, they offer even livelier performance and, in most of the available vehicle versions (engine, transmission, rear- or all-wheel drive) superior fuel economy as well. A couple of specific examples:
325i Sedan, '06 vs. '05. With automatic transmission (now a 6-speed), the new model sprints from rest to 60 mph in 7.2 sec., vs. 8.1 sec. for the '05. Its EPA mileage ratings are 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway, vs. 19/27 in '05.
330i Sedan. With automatic transmission, 0-60 in 6.3 sec. vs. 7.0 for the '05; EPA mileage up from 19/27 to 21/29.
A prime reason for such progress is BMW's exclusive Valvetronic system, which replaces the conventional engine throttle with variable-lift intake valves. This same advance appeared earlier in BMW's V-8 and V-12 engines, and delivered similar results there too. For example-
X5 4.4i, a V-8 model of BMW's larger (but not huge) Sports Activity Vehicle. With no increase in engine displacement (size), the '04 X5 4.4i's engine delivered 315 hp, vs. 290 in '03; achieved 60 mph in 6.8 sec. vs. the previous 7.4; and attained EPA ratings of 16/22 mpg vs. 14/18 in '03. Here, as with the 6-cylinder models cited above, a new 6-speed automatic transmission also played a role in the advance of both Dynamics and Efficiency.
745Li, a long-wheelbase luxury sedan with a V-8 engine similar to the X5 4.4i's. When introduced in 2002, the 745Li delivered 325 hp, a good 15% more than its predecessor. And its EPA ratings were 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway, compared to the previous model's 17/23.
Looking at a wider time span, the 1990 BMW 535i Sedan was powered by a 3.5-liter, 208-hp 6-cylinder engine; weighed 3615 lb.; accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 sec., and achieved EPA mileage of 16/21 with automatic transmission. Its current counterpart, the '06 530i Sedan, is larger, roomier, and equipped with more luxury, convenience, and safety features. It is powered by a smaller but much more powerful 6-cylinder engine: 3.0 liters, 255 hp. Thanks to the intense technological development applied since 1990, the '06 model is also lighter, at 3472 lb. It attains 60 mph in just 6.6 sec., and turns in EPA mileage of 21/29! On top of this, the '06 model meets more stringent emission limits than the '90.
Another excellent example of "more efficient, more dynamic" via long-term engineering development is BMW's volume leader over the decades, the 3 Series. The 1990 325i Sedan with automatic transmission had a 2.4-liter 6-cylinder engine developing 168 hp; it accelerated from rest to 60 mph in 9.4 sec. and turned in EPA mileage of 18 city/22 highway. Today's counterpart, the '06 325i Sedan, also with automatic transmission, is larger, roomier, more refined, better equipped and of course fitted out with more safety features and technology. Yet amazingly, it is much quicker, doing 0-60 in just 7.2 sec., and is rated by the EPA at 21/29 mpg. Talk about progress in Efficient Dynamics!
Advanced engine and transmission technology isn't the only way BMW improves both Dynamics and Efficiency. Among many other factors, BMW also strategically applies weight-saving materials so as to enhance - you guessed it - Dynamics and Efficiency. Some examples here are fascinating:
Weight-saving engines. All but one current BMW engine has weight-saving basic construction materials: aluminum cylinder block and heads for V-8, V-12 and some 6-cylinder engines; unique new magnesium/aluminum composite construction in the newest 6-cylinders. Also in the latest engine designs, detail innovations include hollow camshafts and magnesium or aluminum ancillary components. Thermoplastic induction systems also reduce engine weight in some models.
Aluminum body construction. The entire front-end structure of all 5 and 6 Series models; aluminum hood and front fenders on the 7 Series. Of course aluminum saves weight in an absolute sense; but by applying it at the front end, BMW improves front-to-rear weight distribution and thus optimizes vehicle handling.
Aluminum suspension components. Here too, weight is saved in an absolute sense. But Dynamics benefit too: relatively light moving parts in the suspension system handle bumpy road surfaces better, improving handling and riding comfort. Also, to optimize weight distribution in some models, aluminum suspension components are used at the front but not the rear.
Carbon fiber roof. This brand-new development, appearing for the first time on the new M6 Coupe, also reduces overall weight. But by specifically reducing it at the top of the vehicle, BMW M - the racing and performance division of BMW - has lowered this super-performance automobile's center of gravity. For Dynamics.
Such advanced and carefully targeted technology helps BMW to achieve an impressive blend of Efficiency and Dynamics right across its line, which in 2006 encompasses 30 models. The accompanying table Efficient Dynamics today quantifies, relative to a wide range of competitors, the achievements of BMW's current vehicles in terms of 0-60 mph acceleration and EPA mileage ratings.

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