20-MAR-2008: 2008 World Green Car: BMW 118d with Efficient Dyna

AND NOW THERE IS ONE….

BMW 118d with EFFICIENT DYNAMICS DECLARED

2008 WORLD GREEN CAR

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March 20, 2008 – New York, NY - For Immediate Release

At a press conference hosted by the MIDWAY GROUP, Mobil 1 and the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javitz Centre in Manhattan, New York, the BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics was declared the 2008 World Green Car.      

The BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics was chosen from an initial entry list of ten (10) contenders nominated by forty-seven (47) World Car jurors from twenty-four (24) countries throughout the world. 

The World Car of the Year Awards are intended to reflect today’s auto industry and market trends. In that respect, nothing is more au courant than concern for the environment – hence the creation of this eco-friendly category in 2005.

To be eligible for the 2008 World Green Car award, a vehicle had to available in at least one major market during 2007. The vehicle or the green technology could be in production or an experimental prototype with potential near-future application, provided that it was released for individual or press fleet evaluations in quantities of ten or more during 2007. 

In addition, the candidates had to satisfy one or more of the following "green" criterion:

a.         Tailpipe emissions equal to or better than California SULEV or US EPA Tier 2, Bin2, or Euro V regulations, or equivalent.

b.         Fuel consumption equal to or lower than 5.0 L/100km (47.6 mpg US) combined (55% City + 45% Highway) or equivalent.

c.          Use of an advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry) aimed specifically at increasing their environmental responsibility (e.g. hybrid).

Jurors felt that BMW’s EfficentDynamics technology, as applied to the 118d, comprises a range of features and improvements with the specific purpose of reducing fuel consumption and lowering emissions. Its 143-hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, with third-generation common-rail fuel injection, piezo-injectors, and up to 2,000 bar injection pressure is said to reduce fuel consumption by up to eight percent.

Other contributions to fuel savings come from Brake Energy Regeneration (up to 3 %), Auto Start Stop Function, which shuts the car off at stops and automatically restarts it (up to 3 %), and Electric Steering (up to 3 %).   The cumulative effect is a 21-percent reduction in fuel consumption, to 4.5 L/100 km (combined) and a CO2 output of just 119 g/L.

The top three contenders for the third annual World Green Car in addition to the BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics were the Mercedes-Benz Smart fortwo cdi and the Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI.

“BMW is very excited that the BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics won the World Green Car title,” said Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO of BMW of North America.  “The measures that we’ve implemented within our Efficient Dynamics strategy into every BMW mean that we’re able to provide customers with the driving pleasure they expect from a BMW, while still meeting the stringent requirements for fuel-efficiency and low emissions.”

Now in their fifth year, the annual World Car awards have become one of the most prestigious and credible programs of their type in the world.

The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale.   The awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.

The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America.  There is no affiliation with, nor are the awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or other commercial enterprise.

For more information, please visit our web site at www.wcoty.com or send us an email:  beth@wcoty.com.  If you prefer to talk to us, please call our Executive Manager, Beth Rhind, at 1.705.924.3444.

About the MIDWAY-GROUP

MIDWAY-GROUP, a member of the Hankey Group of Companies, is a global automotive solutions firm with strategic regional headquarter locations serving the United States, Canada, Western Europe, China, Korea and Japan.  The MIDWAY-GROUP, specializes in Vehicle Acquisition and Supply, Comprehensive Transportation, Insurance Underwriting and Market Data Services utilized by automobile manufacturers, marketing, training, advertising, consumer research, engineering, media services and certified testing agencies.  www.midway-group.com

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About Mobil 1

The world's leading synthetic motor oil, Mobil 1 features a proprietary SuperSyn anti-wear technology that provides performance beyond conventional motor oils. This technology allows Mobil 1 to exceed the toughest standards of car builders and to provide exceptional protection against engine wear, under normal or some of the most extreme conditions. Mobil 1 flows quickly in extreme temperatures to protect critical engine parts and is designed to maximize engine performance and help extend engine life.

Chosen by more Original Equipment Manufacturers than any other oil brand in the world, Mobil 1 is factory fill, manufacturer recommended, original equipment in many of the world's premier luxury and high performance vehicles, including Acura RDX, Aston Martin, all Bentley Vehicles, Cadillac CTS, CTS-V, Escalade, XLR, XLR-V, SRX and STS and STS-V Chevrolet Corvette C6 and Z06, Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS, Chrysler 300C SRT-8 , Cobalt SS S/C Coupe, Charger SRT-8, and Magnum SRT-8, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, Mercedes AMG Vehicles, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Mitsubishi Evolution, Pontiac Solstice GXP, all Porsche Vehicles, Saturn Ion Red Line, Saturn Sky Red Line and Nissan GT-R.

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About the New York International Auto Show

Kicking off the springtime selling season, the 2008 New York International Auto Show features an impressive collection of cutting-edge design and remarkable innovation.  More than four floors of displays from the world’s automakers feature the newest vehicles and futuristic concept cars.  More than 1,000 cars and trucks are on display at the Javits Center, filling 846,000 square feet of exhibit space.  The New York International Automobile Show is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association. www.autoshowNY.com

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