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.