What was everyone doing when Toyota developed the Prius? With its hybrid technology, the Prius was hailed as the answer to our problems. A cleaner, greener alternative for those who wanted to save the world but still wanted, or needed, a car to drive round it. Other manufacturers seemed to be slow to develop hybrid technology. So what have they been doing while Toyota surged ahead? Well, one manufacturer, BMW, have been taking some of the best bits off the hybrid and combining them with existing technology, to produce much more fuel efficient and therefore much cleaner cars. Cleaner cars that seem to be able to out perform the hybrids in almost all departments.
When you look at it BMW seem to have had one of the harder jobs when it comes to reducing their overall Co2 emissions. They’ve been known for producing large 4 x 4’s and luxury sports cars. Not the type of cars that offer the best solutions to our environmental problems. However, with this clever mix of existing technology and the development of better engines they have managed to reduce their average Co2 emissions by 26g/km, a saving of over a third of a tonne per year for vehicles fitted with EfficientDynamics. So, how have they done it?
Well, first you have to look at the engines. BMW have developed a high precision injection system, that alongside the ultra-light aluminium crankcase and variable twin turbo technology have allowed the models fitted with EfficientDynamics to increase power whilst reducing emissions. Formula One technology that has been developed and proved in the hardest arena in the world.
Stop start technology is another major factor in reducing emissions. Pull up at the traffic lights and the engine on the BMW stops, press your foot on the accelerator and the engine automatically kicks back into life, saving you money and not choking the planet whilst standing still. This clever bit of kit also tells you when the optimum time is to change gear, also adding to the BMW’s frugality.
Lighter materials have not only been used under the bonnet, they’ve also been used in the manufacture of the boot and the roof on some models. Cutting down on the overall weight of the car is not rocket science and it will obviously impact on the performance of the vehicle. Previously, performance was equated with speed, fortunately performance now covers all aspects of the car, including efficiency and economy.
Brake energy regeneration, electric power steering, an electric coolant pump and small flaps that open and close in the front grille to improve aerodynamic efficiency have all contributed in reducing emissions, making BMW a leader in the luxury car market when it comes to complying with the new Euro V legislation that will come into force in the next decade.
So, do we need full hybrids? Well if you break it down to figures alone it is not quite so clear cut. The BMW 1 Series118d EfficientDynamics achieves 62.8 miles per gallon on the combined cycle as opposed to the Prius that manages 65.7 mpg. Co2 emissions are 119 g/km for the BMW, 104g/km for the Prius. However, take into account the batteries that are used to power the Prius and it becomes slightly hazier. Manufacturing processes and the disposal of spent batteries will obviously have an environmental impact and produce plenty of Co2. Is that impact greater than the small advantages gained? The UK government and the British media would certainly like to know and as a result have asked Toyota to supply them with the figures. As of yet Toyota have not been forthcoming.
With all this in mind, BMW will no doubt continue to refine their EfficientDynamics range, no doubt producing more and more frugal variants, with the gap already small does this mark an end to full blown hybrids? Only time will tell.
