BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Completes 1,013 Mile-Long Journey from UK to Munich and [Almost] Back on One Tank

Motoring journalist and TV presenter Tom Ford has managed to complete what he claims to be a record-breaking journey from the UK to Munich and almost back to Britain with a BMW 320d EfficientDynamics saloon on a single tank of fuel.

Ford filled up the diesel-powered bimmer at the Channel Tunnel and made it to Munich, Germany, then as far back as Lille, France on the return before needing to refuel completing a total driving distance of 1,013 miles or 1,629 kilometers on one tank.

Although Ford said he switched the air con and radio off as "a concession to fuel saving", the journalist stated that he didn't use efficient driving techniques such as coasting, or drive deliberately slowly for the trip, which was covered in yesterday's Sunday Times newspaper.

According to Ford, on the way to Munich, he achieved highs of 75.9mpg UK [63.2 mpg US or 3.7lt/100km] , and didn't dip below 65mpg UK [54.1 mpg US or 4.4 lt/100km] for the entire trip. Overall, he achieved an average speed of 59.3mph [95.4km/h] and 68.9mpg UK [57.4 mpg US or 4.1 lt/100km].

"I was prepared for this car to fail in the real world. I was wrong," said Ford. "Although I did try and be careful and drive in a feather-footed manner, I did cruise at a reasonable 65ish mph [105km/h] on the autoroutes and autobahns, so faster than the usual economy run pace."

"Think about it in the context of everyday motoring: comfortably more than 1,000 miles on one tank of diesel means just 12 fills a year for the average motorist – and even driven normally I still think you're looking at 750-800 miles per fill. BMW's EfficientDynamics: it does what it says on the tin," Ford concluded.

The 320d EfficientDynamics sedan is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that develops 163HP between 3,500rpm to 4,200rpm and 360Nm of torque from 1,750rpm to 3,000rpm.

It propels the BMW from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in 8.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 137mph or 220km/h while returning a combined fuel consumption of 4.1 lt/100km, equal to 57.4mpg US or 68.9 mpg UK, and a CO2 rating of 109g/km in the EU test cycle.

To achieve these figures the uber-frugal German sedan comes with a suite of fuel-saving technologies including Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering, a longer transmission ratio, lowered suspension and the use of specially designed aerodynamic alloy wheels with Michelin EnergySaver tires.

BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Gallery

New BMW Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo with 400 Ponies Available for Order in the UK

Following its recent world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the new BMW 335i-based Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo is now available for order in the UK with first deliveries to start in July.

Offered in four-door saloon, Touring, Coupe and hardtop Convertible forms, the new B3 S comes with a modified 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight six upgraded to deliver a hefty 400HP at 6,000 rpm and 540Nm or 398.3 lb-ft of peak torque.

The 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint takes 4.7 seconds for both the saloon and coupe models which are also capable of achieving a top speed of 186mph or 300km/.

Alpina's take on the 335i range is identified on the outside by a redesigned front spoiler, a new rear diffuser which encloses the tailpipes and a different set of alloy wheels. The BMWs interiors are upgraded with a new steering wheel and modified instruments while Alpina also offers various lather trim options.

Prices for the Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo start from £49,250 on-the-road for the sedan version.

Type	Price	Power	Torque	0-62mph	Top speed	Combined	CO²
Saloon	£ 49,250 OTR	400 hp	540 NM	4.7 s	186 mph	29.4 mpg	224 g/km
Touring	£ 50,250 OTR	400 hp	540 NM	4.8 s	184 mph	29.1 mpg	225 g/km
Coupé	£ 50,250 OTR	400 hp	540 NM	4.7 s	186 mph	29.4 mpg	224 g/km
Convertible	£ 55,250 OTR	400 hp	540 NM	4.9 s	185 mph	29.1 mpg	225 g/km

Super-Cherry 1988 BMW M3 E30 up for Sale

Here's another tasty classic for sale: a 1988 M3 Coupe with just over 47,000 miles on it (and my personal favorite color combo).

The car is bone-stock, but it's extremely clean. The leather looks nice and well-aged (although I've seen better in similar examples), and everything else shows really well in the pictures. For a proper analysis, I'd probably need to hold onto the car for a few days, or better yet, make that a couple of weeks in the mountains.

Here's the kicker: it's $32,500. The E30 M3 is a classic, to be sure, but could this one possibly be worth that much? This is a driver's car, not a museum piece. For that kind of money why not get a gray-market M3 Evo and have a really interesting investment?

What do you think?

By Phil Alex

Link: eBizautos