A latest generation BMW 116d EfficientDynamics hatch driven by the team at Green-Car-Guide at the RAC Future Car Challenge 2012 achieved an average fuel economy of 103 mpg UK (equal to 85.8 mpg US and 2.7lt/100km) over the 64-mile Brighton to London route, recording a 39 per cent improvement over the manufacturer’s official 74.3mpg UK combined economy figure.
The Brighton to London driving event was inaugurated in 2010 to highlight low energy use vehicles such as electric, hybrid, hydrogen and low-emission conventional petrol and diesel automobiles, with the route including both uphill sections and traffic. The goal for participants is to use the least amount of energy as possible.
Steve Chater, Corporate Operations Manager, BMW UK commented: “Being able to achieve more than 100mpg is an outstanding result and this is on top of it being the cleanest BMW ever offered for sale in the UK courtesy of 99g/km CO2 emissions.”
Then 116d EfficientDynamics sports a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four diesel delivering 116bhp at 4,000rpm and 260Nm (191.8 lb-ft) between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm and is equipped with fuel saving features such as low rolling resistance tires and aerodynamic upgrades.
A 6-speed manual gearbox drives the rear wheels with BMW quoting a 10.5 seconds time for the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint and a top speed of 195 km/h (121mph).
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