BMW Which? Best Car

BMW named Which? Best Car Manufacturer 2009
15/06/2009

BMW has been named Best Car Manufacturer in the prestigious Which? Awards 2009, at the British Museum in London.

The company was rated higher than its short listed rivals by the members of Which? who number more than a million. Which? is long established as a champion of the consumer and a trusted advisor to buyers of all manner of goods and services, lending particular weight to this award.

Chief Executive of Which?, Peter Vicary-Smith, said: “BMW drivers seem to love their cars with 87 per cent in our survey describing themselves as very satisfied with the ownership experience. The company’s vehicles always excel in our road tests, while BMW’s innovative EfficientDynamics measures mean some of the best cars to drive have also become incredibly fuel efficient.”

Accepting the award, BMW Group UK’s Managing Director, Tim Abbott, said: “We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award, particularly as it is our customers who have rated us so highly. We take great pains to ensure that the quality of service we offer both directly and through our dealers matches the excellence of our cars.”

The BMW Group is the most sustainable car company in the world – as the latest Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) recently confirmed for the fourth year in succession. The company offers the most efficient cars in the premium segment courtesy of EfficientDynamics technologies and the BMW 118d was named World Green Car of the Year 2008.

BMW greenest premium manufacturer

BMW named as greenest premium manufacturer

BMW has the lowest average CO2 emissions of any premium car manufacturer for the second year in a row according to new independent research. Courtesy of its award-winning EfficientDynamics programme, BMW records a UK fleet average of 159.4g/km based on all BMWs sold in 2008.

By comparison the research by www.cleangreencars.co.uk found BMW’s premium rivals wanting when it came to cutting CO2 emissions. The volume weighted CO2 emissions figure for Audi is only 173g/km, while Mercedes-Benz records 189.9g/km, Jaguar 198.3g/km, Land Rover 251g/km and Porsche 271.7g/km. The total industry volume average for 2008 is 158.7g/km.

It was a similar story in 2007 when BMW recorded a segment leading average of 177.5g/km – itself a substantial improvement from the 190.3g/km 2006 figure. Currently 21 BMW models on sale in the UK emit less than 140 grams of CO2.

BMW first offered EfficientDynamics as standard in 2007. A raft of models received Auto Start / Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, Active Aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres, Electric Power Steering, on-demand of ancillary systems and optimum gearshift indicator features. These built on the existing lightweight engineering principles and direct injection engine technology introduced over the previous few years.

News of a record low in BMW car emissions comes as the impact this technology is having on the environment has been revealed. EfficientDynamics-equipped BMWs sold in the UK during the last two years have been responsible for an approximate 58,000 tonnes reduction in CO2 emissions.* Models graced with the new technology since 2007 recorded improvements in fuel consumption by up to 24 per cent with emissions down by up to 21 per cent compared to 2006 models.

BMW’s online vehicle comparator, which uses independent data to compare potential new car purchases, helps consumers compare BMW’s figures to its rivals. The site measures engine output, performance, fuel consumption, emissions, Vehicle Excise Duty and running costs to get a true picture of ownership.

To use the online vehicle comparator general access can be gained by going to www.bmw.co.uk and clicking through the EfficientDynamics link. Alternatively, the following link to www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/efficient_dynamics/bc/carcomparator provides instant access. Further information on EfficientDynamics technology can be gleaned from www.bmw-web.tv

*Figure based on comparison between volume weighted sales of pre-EfficientDynamics model range in 2006 and subsequent model ranges in 2007 and 2008.

Fuel Efficient Car

BMW’s most fuel efficient car announced

BMW is pleased to announce the launch of the new 116d – the marque’s most fuel efficient and least polluting vehicle. With a combined consumption figure of 64.2mpg and a CO2 emissions figure of 118g/km, the BMW 116d even trumps the current World Green Car of the Year, the BMW 118d.

Available in both three- and five-door guises, the BMW 116d is powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine producing 116hp. The 1,995cc powerplant with its 260Nm of torque from 1,750rpm ensures it is capable of a zero to 62mph time of 10.2 seconds (10.3 seconds for the five-door) before going on to a top speed of 125mph.

The BMW 116d costs just £35 a year to tax courtesy of a Band B Vehicle Excise Duty rank, while its 13 per cent Benefit-in-Kind rating also ensures it makes economical sense for the business user. The new three-door BMW 116d costs from £17,605 OTR, while the five-door 116d is priced from £18,135 OTR. Both models go on sale in March 2009.