Working together for a greener environment

April saw Vines of Gatwick BMW deliver 99 brand-new BMW vehicles to locally based company, Novo Nordisk.

Following extensive discussions with many local car manufacturers, Novo Nordisk, the leading diabetes healthcare company, is pleased to announce it is sourcing a fleet of 99 new vehicles, required as a result of a recent expansion, from local BMW dealer and specialist, Vines of Gatwick BMW. Vines is providing 99 BMW 318d E models in five colour varieties, all in metallic paint and a handful with automatic transmissions.

Many car manufacturers were asked to pitch for the Novo Nordisk contract but Vines BMW were selected due to BMW’s EfficientDynamics; its philosophy that aims to lower emissions and improve fuel economy.

BMW recently received significant endorsement by the UK’s fleet industry for its fuel-saving and emissions-reducing technologies, by winning a string of prestigious awards at the recent Fleet News Awards 2009*. Judged by a panel of industry experts and the key decision makers in the corporate car market, the recognition confirms the competitive-edge BMW has in the marketplace.

Neil Britland, UK & Ireland Facilities Manager for Novo Nordisk explained: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Vines of Gatwick BMW. As well as providing a new fleet of company cars, Vines BMW has shown professionalism throughout the contract process and I look forward to developing our partnership in the future.”

Nick Bailey, Operations and Finance Director for Novo Nordisk continued: “Our business is driven by the ‘Triple Bottom Line’ principle, which means that we strive to be economically viable, socially responsible, and environmentally sound in everything we do. We are also members of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Climate Savers programme which means we have a target to reduce our CO2 emissions in the period 2004-2014 by 10% and so it is important to us that additions to our vehicle fleet do not exceed more than 123g/km of CO2. The selected BMW 3-Series saloons use 25% less fuel than the average company car sold last year, equivalent to a reduction of nearly 60 tonnes of CO2 per year.”

Giles Gair, Dealership Principle for Vines of Gatwick BMW commented: “We are very excited to be supporting Novo Nordisk during its time of expansion. The BMW Group is leading the industry with the greatest number of premium vehicles with CO2 emissions below the 160g/km threshold, making us an obvious choice for any business.

“The current economic climate provides uncertain trading conditions but with the arrival of the new BMW Z4 and the launch of BMW’s most efficient car yet, the 116d, we are confident 2009 will bring further exciting opportunities.”

Vines Group has BMW and MINI dealerships in Guildford, Redhill and Crawley. www.vinesbmw.co.uk, www.vinesbikes.co.uk, www.vinesmini.co.uk

* http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/about/news/0,,1156___,00.html

Comparison between BMW 320d (58.9mpg) and the fuel consumption of a typical 158g/km diesel car (47mpg). Both figures are for the official combined cycle. Assumes 12,000 business miles per car per year.

Labels: BMW 318d E, BMW Fuel Efficient Car, News BMW, Vines of Gatwick

BMW Group cleans up at Fleet News Awards 2009
BMW Group the premium sub 160g/km CO2 emissions leader

The BMW Group has been given a ringing endorsement by the UK’s fleet industry for its fuel-saving and emissions-reducing technologies by winning a string of prestigious awards.

The Fleet News Awards 2009 are judged by a panel of industry experts and the key decision makers in the corporate car market chose BMW and MINI vehicles for five of the possible 11 product awards. The MINI range was recognised as ‘Best Residual Value Star’, while the BMW 1 Series and BMW 5 Series were awarded ‘Best Small Premium Car’ and ‘BMW Executive Premium Car’ respectively. The new BMW 7 Series won its first UK award being crowned ‘Best Luxury Car’ and the BMW X5 won ‘Best Large SUV’.

Fleet News said the MINI consistently topped the charts for its strength in residual value performance that meant it was ‘one of the safest places to put your money’. Meanwhile, the four BMW winners were all praised for their strong wholelife costs, all round performance and owner appeal. BMW received particular praise for its choice of engines and body styles, and its targeting of the corporate customer with vehicles such as the 5 Series Business Edition models.

Stephen Chater, BMW UK’s Group Corporate Operations Manager, said: “This is a fantastic result and underscores the competitive advantage the BMW Group enjoys in the marketplace. No other premium car maker can match the BMW Group in terms of performance and emissions courtesy of our EfficientDynamics and MINIMALISM technologies across such a broad model range.”

As an example of the financial benefits such technologies have on the company car driver’s budget, the latest entry-level BMW 5 Series offers a possible £100 monthly company car tax saving compared to a similar model three years ago. In 2006 the entry-level model was a 523i SE which had a CO2 emissions of 205g/km and a comparative benefit-in-kind rating (BIK) of 29 per cent. This equates to a monthly BIK payment of £263*. In contrast the latest entry-level BMW 5 Series, the 520d SE, has CO2 emissions of just 136g/km and BIK rating of 18 per cent, equating to a monthly payment of just £164* a month.

BMW Group the premium sub 160g/km CO2 emissions leader

Following advances in engine technology the group now has the greatest number of premium vehicles below the 160g/km threshold. When the new Capital Allowances** and Lease Rental Restriction*** rules for companies come into force on 1 April, the BMW Group will have 115 distinct BMW variants and five MINI models that sit below 160g/km.

BMW also offers the top three most powerful models in the world with sub 160g/km CO2 emissions. The 330d Saloon, Touring and Coupé all come as standard with 245hp six-cylinder engines that record 152g/km (155g/km for 3 Series Touring). BMW takes six of the top ten places for sub 160g/km emission cars with the greatest engine output. The 123d three-door, five-door and Coupé come with 204hp four-cylinder twin-turbocharged engines but record CO2 emissions of just 138g/km.

Note:
* Figures quoted relate to a 40 per cent tax payer.
**For companies that purchase their company cars after April 2009 for any vehicle with emissions above 160g/km they will only be able to write down 10 per cent of its value each year on a reducing basis. However, if the car has emissions of 160g/km or less the Write Down Allowance doubles to 20 per cent, allowing the company to claim back the cost of the vehicle more quickly.
*** For companies who lease their company cars after April 2009 any vehicle with emissions above 160g/km they will only be to offset 85 per cent of the finance element of the lease against profits. However, if the vehicle has emissions of 160g/km or less, the company can offset 100 per cent of the finance part of the lease. The new legislation benefits all leased cars above £12,000 with emissions of 160g/km or less and will also benefit leased cars over 160g/km with a greater list price than £17,143 making it more attractive to Contract Hire high-end executive cars.

Labels: BMW Fuel Efficient Car, BMW Win Awards, Buy New BMW

BMW is renowned for pushing back automotive boundaries and the new BMW X5 M and X6 M are two models that set a new benchmark. Never before has the marque offered such powerful and dynamically capable vehicles in a four-wheel-drive package with a command driving position. As the first xDrive four-wheel-drive cars, the BMW X5 M and the X6 M are a journey into new territory for BMW, while the twin-turbocharged 555hp V8 engine heralds the launch of the most powerful road-going M car the company has ever launched.

BMW X5 M
Power Hp: 555
@rpm: 6,000
Torque Nm: 680
@rpm: 1,500-5,650
Zero-62mph: 4.7
Top Speed Mph: 155*

BMW X6 M
Power Hp: 555
@rpm: 6,000
Torque Nm: 680
@rpm: 1,500-5,650
Zero-62mph: 4.7
Top Speed Mph: 155*

*Electricly Limited

The new range flagships to the X5 and X6 portfolio are both powered by the same 4,395cc twin turbocharged V8 engine producing a maximum power output of 555hp at 6,000rpm. Such prodigious performance equates to a zero to 62mph time of 4.7 seconds – comparable to the critically acclaimed BMW M3. The X5 M and X6 M, courtesy of twin-scroll twin-turbo technology, are also capable of near diesel-powered engine flexibility with a peak torque of 680Nm from just 1,500rpm through to 5,650rpm.


Aiding the high performance characteristics of both vehicles is the unique configuration of the V8 engine. In a world first for an M badged vehicle, both the turbochargers and the catalytic converter are located within the vee of the powerplant. This arrangement results in an engine that breathes better and operates at a higher efficiency due to the shorter exit manifold. It also results in better packaging as the unit is more compact. The 4.4-litre engine features High Precision Direct Injection technology with piezo crystals for the optimum in fuel efficiency and combustion characteristics. As a result the powerplant for both cars meets the latest stringent EU5 emissions regulations.

Transmitting the power to the road in the X5 M and the X6 M is a drivetrain incorporating a new six-speed M Sport Automatic transmission, the class-leading xDrive four-wheel-drive system and Dynamic Performance Control, all refined by M GmbH engineers to suit the new high performance vehicles.

The M Sport Automatic transmission features an electronic management system that has been fine tuned to cater for the sporting demands of the vehicles. With the capability to select a Drive mode, a Sports mode and a Manual mode the driver can choose his preferred programme depending on mood and prevailing road and traffic conditions.


Enhancing the package is the specification of Dynamic Performance Control on both vehicles. Dynamic Performance Control is a new style of differential, that first appeared on the BMW X6, which diverts power to the driven wheels rather than brakes the spinning wheel. Its working thresholds on the X5 M and X6 M have been tweaked to permit for greater cornering capability.
Like every new BMW currently on sale, the X5 M and the X6 M come with elements of BMW’s award-winning EfficientDynamics programme fitted as standard. Brake Energy Regeneration, on-demand delivery of the air-conditioning and the volume flow control of the hydraulic fluid in the steering all serve to improve fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures.

The X5 M and X6 M customer can fine tune the chassis of their new vehicle for greater enjoyment. The customer can configure the Electronic Damper Control, Head-Up Display, Dynamic Stability Control setting and the degree of assistance from the Servotronic steering system. Via the M Drive Manager, a menu system that lets the driver tailor the car’s characteristics and is activated with a button on the steering wheel, the desired response of all these settings can be engaged with a single press of a button. Thus, the driver can have an outright sport setting on standby while riding in a more comfortable mode day to day. As the X5 M and the X6 M are true M cars they both feature the renowned Launch Control function for optimum acceleration from standstill is available for use via the M Drive Manager function. All of this electronic architecture is co-ordinated by the Integrated Chassis Management system, a highly advanced electronic brain.


The BMW X5 M and X6 M both feature a suspension set-up of a double wishbone front and a four control arm integral rear arm suspension. This arrangement allows for the best configuration for on-road performance for this style of vehicle. Compared to the BMW X5 and X6, the M versions have a 10mm lower ride height, feature stiffer springs for a sportier ride and come as standard with a revised version of Adaptive Drive. This last feature sees the Electronic Damper Control work with an active anti-roll bar to counteract the natural lean of a vehicle in a corner or road imperfections that would normally unsettle the ride for those inside.

Design

As is befitting vehicles from a stable of performance engineers, the striking exterior design underscores the sporting potential of the car, while serving an aerodynamic function too. There are a number of key M design traits. The bespoke 20-inch light alloy wheels featuring differently sized tyres front to rear, M-badged side gills on the front wing, quad exhaust pipes and discreet badging are all M hallmarks. Compared to the front profile of the original X5 or X6, the bodywork has been reworked to enhance the aerodynamic efficiency needed to provide the extra downforce a 555hp vehicle requires. The rear also features a revised rear valance to ensure the exiting airflow leaves the vehicle with the minimum of fuss.


Inside, and the interior of both vehicles is as luxurious as you would expect. Leather upholstery is complimented by M Sport seats, M leather steering wheel, M footrest, M specific instrument cluster, full electric seat adjustment, front seat heating, two-zone air-conditioning and a Professional Multimedia Navigation system incorporating BMW’s ConnectedDrive. This offers all buyers the latest hard disc based infotainment network with facilities ranging from pure navigation needs through to the Emergency Assist functions and MP3 music storage. A top-of-the-range 12-speaker HiFi system with 230 watts amplifier and, on the X6 M, an automatic tailgate, are also standard.

Despite the sporting nature of the vehicles both still offer a high degree of practicality. The BMW X5 M has a possible luggage storage capability ranging from 620 to 1,750 litres while the X6 M manages 570 to 1,450 litres of boot space. Six airbags and impact activated head restraints are standard, with High Beam Assistant and Adaptive Headlights available as an option, on top of five star EuroNCAP ratings underscore the safety credentials for both vehicles.
The BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M go on sale 24 October, 2009. Prices will be announced at a later date.

Labels: Approved Used BMW, BMW X5M, BMW X6M, New BMW