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When most Americans think of fuel economy, they perhaps think of Toyota (even though they're #10 in fuel economy.) Among the last they would think of is German automaker BMW, known for its sports and luxury vehicles.
However, BMW's 1 series is making a strong case for the company in the field of green performance. The latest 1-Series variant from BMW, the 116d, is set to proves critics wrong by offering up some mean fuel economy. The vehicle gets an impressive 53 MPG from a 2.0L four-cylinder diesel engine. The engine offers 116 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. The new fuel economy rating is on par with Toyota's much-talked-about Prius and is BMW's most efficient model to date.
It can do a 0-62 MPH run in 10.2 seconds, on par with its competitors. It features a number of gas-saving technologies including auto start/stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, an electric water pump, and numerous drive train modifications. It comes in three and five-door body styles and brings classy styling and lots of luxury options ot the table.
Sadly, the vehicle won't be available in the U.S. anytime soon. Europeans will get the 116d in March, though. It will be priced at a relatively affordable £17,605 ($24,330 USD) in the UK.
Aside from proving BMW to be capable of offering top of the line green performance, the new entry also makes a strong case for diesels. The debate over adopting more-efficient diesel engines, versus electric drive assist hybrids has been raging over the past decade in Europe and America. America has sided with electric drive hybrids, while Europe has extensively developed diesel technology.
We side with America on this one, though we certainly think there should be clean diesels in America ASAP. But making the internal combustion engine more efficient can only go so far while hybrids are simply a logical step toward a whole new kind of vehicle.
The 116d series is actually a diesel and a mild hybrid, as it features the option to turn off the engine while coasting or slowing down. It can then restart the engine thanks to its larger-than-average starter motor. However, BMW prefers to avoid the term hybrid as people tend to associate it with hybrids electrically assisted drives like the Toyota Prius.
Via LeftLaneNews
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written by Mark Derail, January 27, 2009
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written by G, January 27, 2009
you'd get vehicles with routine fuel economy pretty damn close to 100 mpg.
That isn't just good, that is outstanding. Plenty of people are driving around 1996 diesels sold in the USA who easily routinely get 50mpg. Tail pipe or not, 50 mpg is 1/2 the fuel used by a 25mpg ULEV, it is time to work that aspect into the tail pipe or we will always be haunted but "clean emission" vehicles getting abysmally poor fuel economy.
The case for diesel is far stronger than the case against it IF everyone is willing to come to the discussion table with an open and unbiased mind.
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written by David Burch, January 27, 2009
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written by Cydney Wuerffel, January 27, 2009
Plus, I think the hybrid category could use a little design work. This is the first car that I can say actually doesn't look like a hybrid.
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written by J-9, January 28, 2009
NOTE: The Golf model was sandwiched between former and current Rabbits.
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written by Clean Diesel, January 29, 2009
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written by G, January 30, 2009
That and there really isn't anything geekier than a hybrid turbo diesel... how awesome would THAT be!
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written by S Baker, February 04, 2009
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This is not only cool, but also a very efficient way to save space and resources.