Efficiency Personified

Roland Rendell takes delivery of the BMW 116D, which in turn delivers a highly impressive mpg figure to go with all its other outstanding features

Regular readers of my reviews will know that I am a big fan of everything BMW. When it comes to combining efficiency with performance and quality, in the words of Carly Simon, Nobody Does It Better. 
    

I’ve had the pleasure of driving the 320d ED, 520d ED and X1d ED, and the final model that completes the line-up doesn’t disappoint either.

The metallic ‘mineral grey’ 116d ED that was delivered to me certainly looks the part from the outside. This was not your standard model and spec, with the high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim and electrically folding wing mirrors. The 16” v-spoke light alloy wheels, wrapped in reduced rolling resistance tyres, are just one element of this car that helps deliver the impressive MPG.

What you can’t see looking from the outside, is that under the bonnet lies a 1598cc 4 cylinder, 16v diesel engine, with 260Nm of torque. Apparently, it’s capable of 83.1mpg on the extra urban cycle - not something I’ll achieve, but I will certainly be gunning for the 74.3mpg combined cycle figure. Whether I do or not, is probably more down to my driving style than anything else. And the other noteworthy piece of information is the 99g/km of CO2.

I open the rear hatch, and although the sill height doesn’t make loading as easy as it could be, the 1-Series has a large boot. Luggage capacity with the rear seats in place is 360 litres – not so much as in the new Volkswagen Golf, but more than in a Vauxhall Astra and much more than in a Ford Focus.

So I lower myself in to the £1,115 Oyster Dakota leather interior, with £1,150 Interior and Driver Comfort packages. For me, any car in this modern age that doesn’t have a central armrest is a big no-no, but thankfully this does to help me support my not insignificant bulk. The sports seats, which can be heated, are comfortable and slide back far enough for me to extend my pins, although you wouldn’t want to be taller than 5’4” if you were sat behind me. What I like about the seats is the ability to extend the front out, to better support my legs – a good feature for us tall folk.

The Sports model steering wheel has all the usual buttons and stuff to keep me amused and confused, and the dash behind it is all black. A rev counter to the right indicates just what this car can possibly achieve should you want it to, and that is backed up by the left hand speedo that tops 160mph, although I believe the top speed is 121mph. Down and to the left is the start button, and in the middle is the screen that will no doubt do everything bar make me a latte with two sugars. 

Down by the gearstick and the handbrake is the twiddly bit as I call it. The dial that selects everything you need such as the radio, CD, sat‑nav, vehicle information, etc. This model has the full media package, which also includes BMW Assist, Bluetooth and Voice Control Telephone, amongst other features. Around it are the buttons that allow you to select the driving mode, including ECO-PRO mode.

There is one issue I do have with every manual BMW I have driven. I am used to using my fingers to either pull up or push down the gearstick to make reverse easy to select. On the BMWs, it’s push as hard as you can to the left, and pray that when you ease off the clutch you haven’t selected a forward gear. I’m not a fan, but hey, if that’s all I have to moan about...

Nice and smooth
When you pull away, all is as expected. Nice and smooth, and if required, some hidden power ready to be unleashed to get you out of trouble. The thing that you do notice is the feel of the drive, propelled from behind. This is the only rear wheel drive car in its class, and although I don’t have an issue with front wheel drive, this is certainly a nice experience.

Eco mode
I spend the next few days pottering around town. In ECO mode, there’s an indicator on the dial ahead that tells you when to change gear, as well as a graphic that shows you when the car is running at its most efficient. When you ease off the accelerator, or utilise the Brake Energy Regeneration, you notice it move to the maximum, most efficient range, and it certainly inspired me to try to make it happen more regularly. At junctions, slip it in to neutral and the engine cuts thanks to the Auto Start-Stop function. The big test is always when you dip the clutch – will it be seamless? The answer is not quite, but I have only experienced one vehicle that is (the Citroën Berlingo van!), However, it is still very unintrusive in terms of driver experience, and a cracking addition to the fuel saving technology all over this car. The big question is what mpg did I manage around town? A superb 61.6 was the best I could achieve, which ticks all the boxes as far as I am concerned.

Next up was a trip up to the home of our Arrive’n’Drive event – Rockingham in Corby. A 90-minute journey taking in A-roads, dual carriageway and a motorway. Changing lanes and accelerating is very easy, and when I need some power, it’s most definitely there. On the A14, when the “Averagers” come in to play, I set the cruise control to 70mph and relieve my legs. The speed adjust on the steering wheel is brilliant, so if you drive with anticipation at the forefront of your mind, there really is no need to touch the pedals. And once again the efficiency of this car is highlighted. A mighty 70.4 mpg... quite incredible.

In summary, hats-off BMW, you have once again delivered. Five times they have won the GreenFleet Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year at the Annual Awards, and I see no reason why they won’t do a Steve Redgrave and land a sixth gong. As I said, the Swedes are coming... so it will be interesting stuff come Awards time October.

Details
ENGINE: 1598cc, 4-cyl turbodiesel
CO2: 99g/km
MPG (combined): 74.3
VED: Band A
BIK: 14%
PRICE (OTR): £21,095 (basic ED, including VAT. £28,030 as tested)