FIRSTDRIVE BMW 320d:BMW is testing the water with new dynamics, so Shane O'Donoghuetries them out
YOU KNOW the drill: BMW develops yet another new model and makes the usual “ultimate driving machine” claims. Not this time. We’re in Munich, about to drive what appears to be a conventional 320d saloon, yet the engineers have already made it clear that this version of its best-selling model “will not be for everyone”, as it trades in some of its renowned driver appeal for more efficiency.
Not that the regular 320d could be accused of being a profligate consumer of fuel with 4.8l/100km on the combined cycle, and 128g/km of CO2. However, a new version with official figures of 4.1l/100km and 109g/km – dropping the 3 Series into the lowest tax band – will be the first car to wear the company’s EfficientDynamics badge.
Sure, there is an on-paper performance penalty of 0.3 seconds in the benchmark 0-100km/h sprint and peak power has dropped by 13bhp, but those differences will mean little to the average driver. Without driving the regular 320d immediately after the EfficientDynamics model, it was all but impossible to tell just how different it is.
BMW has tweaked aspects of the car to achieve the gains. The car sits lower and its bespoke alloys create less drag; engine and transmission internal modifications create less friction; the gearing is longer; and the latest generation of low rolling resistance tyres are standard-fit.
However, one of the most important changes, which should lead to real-world fuel savings, is the fitting of a dual-mass flywheel with a centrifugal-force pendulum which reduces vibration at low engine speeds. In tandem with an adjusted gearshift point indicator in the dashboard, this encourages the driver to use higher gears more often. The result is less revs and less fuel consumed.
Buyers wanting to make a statement about their eco-friendliness may want to stick with their hybrids, but high-mileage drivers will be drawn to the EfficientDynamics model.
Fans of the M Sport styling will not be able to have it in conjunction with the EfficientDynamics badge. Same goes for an automatic gearbox and larger alloy wheels. But on the plus side,the new model shares the specification of the 320d SE, yet will be cheaper – as BMW aims to pass on the VRT saving.
Factfile BMW 320d
Engine:2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Peak power:161bhp
Peak torque:360Nm
Transmission:six-speed manual
0-100km/h:8.2 seconds
Emissions:109g/km
L/100km:4.1
Price:€43,600 estimated