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BMW has waved its EfficientDynamics wand over its two-seater Z4 Roadster, improving fuel consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The changes are headlined by the adoption of Brake Energy Regeneration across the entire Z4 range, contributing to fuel efficiency improvements of up to almost eight per cent, without sacrificing performance.
The first BMW in Australia equipped with this novel feature was the BMW M3 Coupé, back in 2007. Since then it has made its way into over thirty models and can be found in various 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series and X3 vehicles.
This intelligent energy management feature serves to efficiently generate electric power for the car’s on-board network. To provide this effect, the alternator is activated only when the engine is on overrun and when applying the brakes, thus relieving the engine of the usual loads and power uptake.
Low rolling resistance tyres are now specified for the Z4 sDrive23i.
The product enhancements supplement existing EfficientDynamics features fitted to the Z4, including electric power steering, optimum shift indicator and high precision injection twin turbo engine.
The changes highlight the widespread effect of BMW’s EfficientDynamics push, according to Stavros Yallouridis, managing director of BMW Group Australia.
“BMW is committed to improving the efficiency of all of its cars, not just a few less powerful small cars.
“Just recently we announced fuel consumption improvements to the 6 Series Coupé and Convertible models and we’re delighted to do the same with the Z4 Roadster.
“There’s no reason why sports car drivers can’t meet their sporting and lifestyle needs whilst emitting fewer emissions and using less fuel.
“Without improvements like these across the entire range, BMW would not be the acknowledged leader when it comes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions,” he says.
BMW now has almost forty models (not counting transmission variants) on-sale in Australia with EfficientDynamics technology, all of which are supplied at no additional cost. Tellingly, the company does not employee a one size fits all philosophy, rather selecting the right technologies for each specific vehicle to achieve the best result.
The strategy is paying off, with BMW lauded in Europe for cutting its carbon dioxide emissions more than any other brand last year.
Customer deliveries of the updated BMW Z4 Roadster begin in November.
Below is an overview of the EfficientDynamics technologies which come standard with the BMW Z4 Roadster.
Z4 sDrive23i
New - Brake Energy Regeneration
New - Reduced rolling resistance tyres
Optimum Shift Indicator
Electric Power Steering
Fuel consumption improved by up to 7.8 per cent
Auto - 8.2 l/100km (was 8.9); 192 gm/km (was 207)
Manual - 8.5 l/100km (was 9.2); 199 gm/km (was 215)
Z4 sDrive30i
New - Brake Energy Regeneration
Optimum Shift Indicator
Electric Power Steering
Fuel consumption improved by up to 7.6 per cent
Auto - 8.3 l/100km (was 9.0); 195 gm/km (was 210)
Manual - 8.5 l/100km (was 9.2); 199 gm/km (was 215)
Z4 sDrive35i
New - Brake Energy Regeneration
Optimum Shift Indicator
Electric Power Steering
High Precision Injection
Fuel consumption improved by up to 4.2 per cent
Auto - 9.0 l/100km (was 9.4); 210 gm/km (was 219)
Manual - 9.4 l/100km (was 9.8); 219 gm/km (was 228)
The BMW Group
The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 24 production facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
The BMW Group achieved a global sales volume of more than 1.43 million automobiles and over 101,000 motorcycles for the 2008 financial year. Revenues for 2008 totalled EUR 53.2 billion, with earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 921 million. The company employed a global workforce of approximately 98,000 associates on 30 September 2009.
The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last five years.
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