Isn't "Efficiency Dynamics" mostly a software thing? Because I'm FURIOUS....
 

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.

you're right!!

and what is with this "European version this, and American version that" ???

other than emissions....and having the steering wheel in opposite sides...these vehicles should offer the exact same packages, colors, options, and everything else..

one shouldn't be "better" than the other..it's the same X5 for Christ's sake!!

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

thank you for your info and your point above is certainly a good one. in fact, this is the one issue that makes me feel 'bad' about buying this vehicle. if they had the hybrid (or diesel in USA), I'd buy it. however, i really do need the additional space in the x5 for carrying certain items and want to have a car that safe and sporty. i also use it mostly from city to city... where the mileage is not too significantly different from most other vehicles and emissions is still ultra low. for within city travel, i primarily use a Segway... honest.... it's the best.

so it upsets me to think that BMW would provide greater efficiecy to another part of the world and not offer it to us. i don't understand that. i would have easily paid more for the 'efficiency dynamics' features if they allowed.

Efficient Dynamics is not just for diesels it's for both petrol and diesel cars.

I would think the reason why BMW hasn't introduced in the US is that it is probably more expensive to manufacture. Unfortuantely the enthusiasts on here are probably not reflective of the US market as a whole and they have decided that the typical X5 buyer in the US isn't sensitive enough to emissions or mpg to justify it. I am sure they have done market research on it, probably if you look at the mpg average for cars bought in America vs Europe it would be huge.

It was rushed out for the Euopean market specifically because of the UK as annual road tax is based on Co2 output. Also Effiicient Dynamics bring the X5 down into a much lower cost bracket for the London Congestion charge than all the competition which is a huge sales advantage. Hence why we now have a 6 month wait for the sd now in the UK.

no excuse. if they can make this car more energy efficient, they should offer as an OPTION at least in the USA too. bmw should be ashamed. and someone should write about this in an auto magazine or elsewhere.

> Isn't the "Efficiency Dynamics" benefit mostly a software thing?

No, it's mostly a PR thing.

Probably going to save me £1000 a year over a non ED car. If I drove my car in Central London every day about £4000. That's a very real benefit for a "PR thing".

I am affraid Penguins post probably sums up why they wont release it in the US....if the average US consumer sees a 20% drop in emissions as a "PR thing" is it a surprise that it's not released in the US?

that's my whole point. it does not matter if anyone see's it as a PR thing (which i don't, if it really makes a difference). BMW knows the truth... and if it is better for our environment, then they should step up and offer it... period.