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Originally Posted by marcx5
Isn't the "Efficiency Dynamics" benefit mostly a software thing? Meant to provide greater fuel efficiency... hence, better for our environment?
I am furious to learn that they are only including this feature in European cars and not the US.... what's up with that??? Don't they think we care about our fuel consumption, etc. and want the most 'efficient' vehicle possible too?
BMW should be absolutely ASHAMED if this feature has not been included in EVERY X5 around the world, software or not. I would like to learn more about this reasoning.... but if it's as it seems.... this should become a larger, public issue which i plan to pursue...
shame on you bmw. I'm still looking forward to my new x5.... but very disappointed to learn this.
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No, it is not a software thing. It is a collection of technologies, applied to different vehicles at different times as each model is redesigned. It is a theme, not a specific item.
The core is the diesel engine. We know why that isn't here, it doesn't yet meet emission standards. Apparently they will meet 2009 US standards.
Double Vanos, Valvetronic, low rolling resistance (run-flat) tires, they are all here now. High precision injection? Got it.
Electric power steering is on some vehicles (like the Z4).
Aluminum chassis is used for subsections on the E60. A lightweight E70? I don't think so. Put it this way: if you wanted to build a lightweight vehicle, you wouldn't start with an E70.
The Efficient Dynamics technologies that haven't yet arrived in North America are Brake Energy Regeneration, Air Vent Control (active radiator ducting), and the auto-stop features on the four cylinder diesels (which we don't have here). There may be a couple of others. You can read about them all on
www.bmw.com I suspect BER and AVC would require expensive emissions re-certification testing in North America, as it is currently costing BMW extra to build two concurrent versions of some models. The fact that every country has its own emissions laws drives much of the difference in the build consist between countries. The rest of it is driven by market dynamics; I suspect that since the US pays so little for their BMW vehicles, far less than the rest of the world, BMW saves whatever pennies it can.
Somehow I don't think this is a larger public issue, as you claim, rather it is a marketing issue.
As an aside, with your obvious passion for the environment, I wonder how you reconcile ordering and driving an E70? It is a great vehicle, but hardly an environmentally sound choice. Just my $0.02