BMW 520d EfficientDynamics (2011) first official pictures

Company car choice will be made even more difficult in September 2011 with the launch of BMW’s new 520d EfficientDynamics saloon with some extraordinary economy and CO2 emissions figures of 119g/km and 63mpg.

The 520d ED is fitted with a longer final drive ratio to reduce revs at motorway cruise speeds, low-drag alloy wheels and low-rolling resistance tyres on top of the standard 520d equipment. Most Fives already have stop-start and an Optimum Gear Shift Indicator to let the driver know when the most efficient time is to change gear.

Despite a price of £30,435, BMW hope that the 10% advantage for fuel efficiency against rivals is enough for it to be a company car favourite.

The new BMW 520d EfficientDynamics will appeal to UK company car drivers because of its 13% benefit-in-kind tax bracket. No other executive car sits in such a low tax band.

BMW has also announced the £29,480 Z4 sDrive 2.0i, stretching the roadster range down into four-cylinder territory. It has a twin-turbo four-cylinder unit for a cheaper alternative to the 2.3 and 3.0 litre engines currently available in the Z4.

The Z4 20i- hits 62mph in 6.9 seconds and it averages 41.5mpg.

For those who can stretch to the new sDrive 28i, rather more impressive performance is offered. The BMW Z4 sDrive 28i has identical emissions and consumption to the 20i but hits 62mph in 5.6sec and is limited to 155mph.

The Z4 2.8i sDrive costs £33,645; over four grand more than the 20i. But the performance gains on offer make it more understandable.

By Jack Constantine