BMW 320D: NOW WITH EFFICIENTDYNAMICS

BMW South Africa is now running one of the most fuel-efficient ranges of cars on the market with the introduction of the EfficientDynamics package for the 3 Series. Beneficiary models are the 320d, 320i, 323i, 325i and 330i. Exceptions are the 330d, 335i and the M3. Unfortunately SA does not get the full package, but only 75% of it.

EfficientDynamics has been a part of the BMW philosophy since 2007. Its basis is that the enjoyment of driving fun should not be stripped away by the use of less fuel. We all know that once you step on that accelerator pedal, you start gulping down on fuel at a much higher pace than when you drive slower. EfficientDynamics is supposed to improve fuel economy while at the same time, upping performance.

Take the 320d we got to drive at a media presentation for instance. Several changes have been made to the car in order to achieve just these two aims. For one, a gear-shift indicator is installed to help drivers see the optimal gear in which they should be at any particular point. While this is not a new technology at all (I first experienced it in the defunct Daewoo Tacuma in 2001), it is significant for BMW because it’s a brand known for performance above all else.

Brake energy regeneration is also standard. What this system does is to gather, for lack of a better word, all the kinetic energy that would otherwise be wasted by stopping or braking, and sending it off into the battery. Another measure is the use of an auto start/stop system which switches off the engine as you come to a complete stop, only to automatically start it up again when you move off. You will not have to fiddle with the keys at all for this to happen. What that does is save fuel lost during the car’s idling.

In the end the 320d is now more powerful, but supposedly more fuel efficient. I say supposedly because our drive, while it began quite earnestly as a fuel-saving exercise, degenerated into something of a rush as we began chasing quick-fading daylight. BMW says the car will return an average of 4.7 litre per 100km. The best I got was 5.8 litres per 100km, with an average of about 6.4 over our set route. While I couldn’t match the ideal consumption attained by BMW engineers inside extremely strict lab conditions, 6.4 is still good enough for a total range of around 950 kilometres from a full tank of diesel. Mind you, these Euro-5 spec engines are designed to run on fuel of 50 PPM or better, so make sure you ask for that at your nearest petrol station.

This from a car producing 135kW at 4000rpm and 380Nm of torque between 1900rpm and 2750rpm. Acceleration is brisk at a claimed 0 – 100km/h of 7.5 seconds for the 6-speed manual and a top speed of 235km/h. Corresponding C02 emissions are now 125 g/km, making the 320d almost tax-free as far as government C02 tax goes. In fact, a new 320d will only attract this type of tax to the tune of only R427.50.

Dynamically the 3 Series is still king of the hill as it devours corners and bends with total confidence and enthusiasm. Although the optional Active Steering does tend to put a damper on things, for the everyday driver it suffices.

While the new EfficientDynamics additions will not revolutionise fuel consumption figures in any significant way, together with other measures they should add up to a notable overall gain for the environment.

BMW 320d Pricing (including C02 tax)

320d manual (R372 927.50)

320d auto (R390 810)