BMW Achieving 35.5 MPG Fleet Average by 2016

The US Federal Government has set an aggressive fleet fuel economy average standard for each auto manufacturer. This year marks the start of a standard 27.3 mpg fleet average that automobile manufacturers must achieve. The standard increases to 30.1 mpg for 2012 models, and higher for the consecutive years until it reaches 35.5 mpg for 2016 models. Automotive reports the strategy that BMW will take in order to reach these MPG goals. See an excerpt of their review below.

BMW: 8-speeds, smaller lineup

(2010: Trucks, 23.6mpg; Cars, 28.7mpg)

BMW has spent nearly $1.6 billion this year on fuel-saving technology. And it’s about to get a complete makeover with multispeed transmissions, smaller crossovers and downsized engines.

Edmunds.com reports that BMW will have seven models with eight-speed transmissions in the 2011 model year, up from two in the 2010 model year. It also will increase the number of turbochargers from six in the 2009 to 15 this year.

BMW also is adding smaller products and engines. It will bring a new front-wheel-drive family of cars in a class known as UKL, a German abbreviation for lower-compact-class cars.

“It will be a relatively big segment because we have several body styles,” Ian Robertson, BMW AG board member for sales and marketing, told Automotive News last fall.

The vehicles will be launched in the next few years, and will come to the United States with four-cylinder engines.

And BMW will concentrate on small crossovers in the next 18 months with a redesigned X3 and the new X1.

Both are based on the redesigned 3-series sedan, which will arrive in 2012 with a twin-turbocharged, direct-injection, four-cylinder gasoline engine which it has used in other markets besides North America.

In 2013, a new sub brand of electric and hybrid vehicles being developed by BMW’s Project i group will debut.

Source: Autonews