09 May 07
BMW: hybrids are not the only answer
Hybrids have grabbed the moral high ground - not to mention the headlines and an increasing share of the market. But carmakers who have spent decades refining conventional engines are not about to abandon all that expertise. On the contrary, companies including VW, Mercedes, Renault and BMW have come out of their corner fighting.
Prompted by increasing concern about greenhouse gases, they have all come up with cleaner, more efficient petrol or diesel engines that call into question the superior green credentials of hybrids like the Lexus GS450h, Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid.
BMW calls its current thinking Efficient Dynamics. It's all about improved CO2 emissions, increased mpg and reduced weight, while - crucially - still delivering the typical BMW driving experience. BMW claims that the 535d is not only lighter and £5,000 cheaper than the Lexus GS450h, it also has better fuel economy and lower emissions.
This is achieved partly through advanced engine and transmission technology, clever management systems, and the use of lighter materials for some roofs and boot lids, for instance. Ultra-efficient HPI (high-precision direct injection) technology is spreading throughout the range, making far better use of fuel than older direct-injection engines, and the latest automatic gearboxes time their shifts so well that they can be more economical than manuals.
