BMW 123d: EfficientDynamics reach a new dimension.

Munich. Curtain up for another cutting edge BMW diesel engine: The BMW 1 Series
now features the third version of a new generation of four-cylinder diesel
engines currently celebrating its world premiere. The new power unit lies under
the bonnet of the BMW 123d and boasts fascinating sporting power and fuel
economy unrivalled in its performance class. The new 2-litre four-cylinder
engine delivers an output of 150 kW/204 bhp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm,
allowing the 3-door model version of the BMW 123d to accelerate from 0 to 62
mph in just 6.9 seconds (5-door version: 7 seconds). Average fuel consumption
based on an EU test cycle is 5.2 litres/100 km for both versions, and the CO2
emission level is 138 grams/ km, making the BMW 123d the first production
vehicle with a maximum output higher than 200 bhp and conventional drive
technology to achieve a CO2 level below 140 grams/km.

BMW's outstanding competence in the development of diesel engines provides the
basis for a unique balance between dynamics and fuel economy. The new
four-cylinder diesel engine has an all-aluminium crankcase, Variable Twin Turbo
(VTT) and third-generation Common Rail Injection featuring piezo injectors that
feed fuel into the combustions chambers at a pressure of 2000 bar. In addition,
efficiency-enhancing measures applied to the engine's periphery such as brake
energy regeneration and an Auto Start Stop function have further optimised fuel
consumption and emission levels. Thanks to this concentration of innovative
technology, the BMW 123d has taken the lead in its competitive segment not only
in terms of driving dynamics but also fuel economy.

Pure unadulterated EfficientDynamics: best results in performance and fuel
economy.
The most powerful version of the new generation of BMW four-cylinder diesels is
an outstanding engine indeed. As the world's first all-aluminium diesel engine
it develops a specific power output of more than 100 bhp. Along with this and
an average fuel consumption of 5.2 litres/100 km, the BMW 123d is the
particularly fascinating embodiment of the goals the BMW EfficientDynamics
development strategy aims to achieve. It offers more driving pleasure than any
other diesel model found in this segment. At the same time it provides fuel
economy seldom offered even by significantly less powerful vehicles. The BMW
123d - like all other BMW diesel models - is equipped as standard with a diesel
particulate filter located in the vicinity of the engine.

The first four-cylinder diesel engine with Variable Twin Turbo.
The experience of driving a new BMW 123d is distinctively characterised by the
engine's spontaneous response and awesome development of power. Maximum torque
of the 1995 cc four-cylinder engine is 400 Nm and is already available at an
engine speed of 2 000 rpm, maximum output being achieved at 4 400 rpm. The
tremendous pulling force unique in this engine segment is achieved with the
help of a two-stage turbocharger. This system, which was developed by BMW and
termed as Variable Twin Turbo (VTT), was first featured by the most powerful
straight six diesel of the BMW 5 Series. In the meantime this 210 kW/286 bhp
power unit has been successfully introduced for several series. Variable Twin
Turbo is now being employed for the first time in conjunction with a
four-cylinder diesel engine.

The Variable Twin Turbo system comprises a small and a large exhaust
turbocharger. Due to its lower torque of inertia the smaller turbocharger
already takes effect at engine speeds only slightly above idling levels, the
larger turbocharger producing an additional performance-boosting effect as soon
as higher engine speeds are reached. Thanks to this configuration, there is no
so-called turbo lag. A significant increase in power is felt as soon as the
foot touches the accelerator. A turbine control valve variably distributes the
flow of exhaust to each turbocharger. Specially designed and highly effective
engine electronics ensure precise management of the transfer and interaction
between both turbochargers. They coordinate the entire system comprising
turbines, turbine control valve, bypass and wastegate according to the engine's
operational status.

Low weight, efficient combustion, optimised emission behaviour.
The BMW 123d is the third and most powerful diesel model of the BMW 1 Series.
Like the power units featured by the BMW 120d and the BMW 118d, its engine is
one of a new generation of four-cylinder diesel power units. Compared with the
diesel engines of the previous generation the weight of the three new engines
has been reduced by up to 17 kilograms. This has a positive effect both on fuel
economy and the vehicle's agility. Due to the low weight of the engines the new
diesel models of the BMW 1 Series are provided with a particularly
well-balanced axle load distribution.

The weight reduction is mainly due to the use of a new aluminium crankcase with
thermally welded grey cast iron bushings. The significantly lighter aluminium
case replaces the grey cast iron block previously employed. The cylinder head
including the inlet ports has also been entirely reconstructed, The new design
optimises both carburetion and emission levels.
Fuel supply to all of the new four-cylinder diesel engines is effected by a
third-generation Common Rail injection system. The BMW 123d features piezo
injectors that inject diesel fuel into the combustion chambers via a common
pipeline and under extremely high pressure. For the first time a pressure of
2000 bar has been achieved, thereby ensuring particularly accurate fuel dosage
and combustion. Due to the fact the fuel is injected in up to three stages per
combustion cycle, the flame is distributed relatively evenly, a process that
has above all a beneficiary effect on the diesel engine's running smoothness.

Even greater efficiency with brake energy regeneration and Auto Start Stop
function.
When designing the new four-cylinder engines engineers gave consideration to a
number of features crucial to maximum efficiency. The redesigned combustion
chambers as well as the optimisation of carburetion, combustion and air flow
contribute towards a reduction in fuel consumption and emission levels.
Moreover, ancillary components such as coolant pump, generator and
air-conditioning compressor are located on the intake side of all of the new
four-cylinder diesel engines. As all ancillary components are now driven by one
single belt, a second belt system is no longer required. This again boosts
efficiency as it eliminates frictional losses.

In addition to this, the new BMW 123d features measures within the engine's
periphery to reduce fuel consumption and emission levels. Likewise, these are
the result of the long-term development strategy known as BMW
EfficientDynamics. The BMW 123d also features intelligent generator management
for brake energy regeneration, an Auto Start Stop function, a gear shift
indicator and electric steering.

The brake energy regeneration system ensures that the battery, after reaching a
minimum charge condition, is basically only charged during braking or overrun
phases, the electric current being cut during acceleration. This means that
higher engine output becomes available for BMW-characteristic driving pleasure,
whilst both fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels are reduced
simultaneously. The idea of intelligent energy management can be compared with
the operation of reservoir power stations. There, low priced energy is stored
overnight in higher reservoirs and recalled during the day to cope with peak
loads. Translated into brake energy regeneration featured by the new BMW 123d,
this principle facilitates energy-effective economic driving phases to be
identified in order to buffer electricity in the battery and to feed it to the
on-board electrical system when required.

The BMW 123d with manual transmission features an Auto Start Stop function that
provides greater efficiency particularly in city traffic. This system
automatically switches off the engine when it is not required. As a result,
when stopping at a traffic light for example, fuel consumption drops to zero at
that particular moment in time. When the driver switches to neutral and takes
his or her foot off the clutch, the engine electronic system silently switches
off the engine. When the driver depresses the clutch pedal again, the engine
restarts. By maintaining charging pressure the engine restarts in no time at
all and without the driver having to do a thing.

In addition to this, a gear shift indicator offers ideal preconditions for best
possible fuel management. The engine electronics calculate according to the
driving situation the most favourable time to change into the next highest gear
in order to achieve the most economical fuel consumption. The driver is
informed of the ideal gear change time via an arrow which lights up on the
instrument panel and indicates the best gear to select.

Ancillary components function economically and according to requirement:
Additional fuel economising measures are effected automatically. For instance,
the BMW 123d is equipped with an active control system for the air vents
located in the radiator grille. When the engine does not need to be cooled, the
vents are closed, resulting in a measurable enhancement of aerodynamics and a
further reduction in fuel consumption. Moreover, a number of ancillary
components function according to requirement and therefore effectuate better
fuel economy. The Electric Power Steering EPS only uses energy when the
steering actually requires assistance or if the driver desires. Consequently,
no energy is wasted when driving straight ahead or when constantly driving
round bends without additional steering movement.

In addition, the new electrically operated coolant pump is not dependent on
engine speed, but temperature-dependent, taking effect only when needed. This
is a further contribution towards increased engine efficiency. With a power
consumption of around 200 watts it uses only approximately one tenth of the
drive energy required by conventional pumps. Furthermore, the belt drive of the
air-conditioning compressor is equipped with a clutch. If the air-conditioning
is switched off, the compressor is automatically deactivated, thereby
facilitating a reduction of the drag torque of the compressor to a minimum.

The BMW 123d: benchmark of driving dynamics and efficiency.
The numerous innovations in the field of drive technology incorporated in the
BMW 123d document BMW's outstanding competence in the development of diesel
engines. A comparison of performance and fuel consumption data shows just how
far the ideal balance between driving pleasure and efficiency can be taken.
Therefore, with its outstanding performance in both disciplines the BMW 123d is
an impressive example of the success of BMW EfficientDynamics. Being constantly
true to the principle of increasing both driving dynamics and fuel economy with
each new model, BMW produces vehicles that are modern in every respect. They do
justice to the highest demands on the vehicle and at the same time convince
through exemplary fuel economy and emission behaviour.

With an acceleration from 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds (5-door version 7 seconds)
and a top speed of 147 mph (5-door version 147 mph), the BMW 123d has taken the
lead over its competitors. The fact that the BMW 1 Series is also the only
model in its class to transfer drive power to the road via the rear wheels only
strengthens its unique position even further. Never were the qualities of
modern diesel engines more evident in a compact car than in the new BMW 123d.

In addition to the impressive high-torque performance, these qualities also
include, of course, the potential of diesel technology in terms of economy - a
potential that BMW's engine designers have made use of just as comprehensively
as they have given consideration to the sporting talents of this type of
engine. The result is an average fuel consumption of 5.2 litres/100 km for the
BMW 123d, based on the EU test cycle. Just how much this figure underlines the
progress made in engine development becomes evident when comparing with
previous generations of engines. Their most economical version endowed the BMW
1 Series with an average fuel consumption of 5.6 litres. In comparison, the new
BMW 123d achieves an 8% reduction in fuel consumption, although with an
increased power output of no less than
60 kW.

This impressive fuel economy is coupled with exemplary emission behaviour. With
a CO2 level of 138 grams/km the new BMW 123d seamlessly takes its place
alongside the range of models in the BMW 1 Series that boast particularly low
emissions. It is surpassed only by the BMW 120d, which has a CO2 level of128
grams/km, and by the BMW 118d with 119 grams/km.