?? Were you aware ??

BMW is shaking up the choice of executive cars for business and company car drivers with the launch of an EfficientDynamics version of its 520d Saloon and Touring models.

The new BMW 520d EfficientDynamics provides all the benefits of the SE model but with only 119g/km CO2 emissions, the lowest in the executive car class sector.

It means business drivers can choose a premium executive car and only pay benefit in kind company car tax at the rate of 13% – five company car tax bands lower than its BMW 520d SE stablemate and its rivals the Audi A6 2.0 TDI SE and the Mercedes-Benz E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY SE; and a full nine company car tax bands lower than the Jaguar XF 2.2D SE.

The new BMW 520d EfficientDynamics will cost £29,655 when it goes on sale in September, just £225 more than the current 520d SE. For business car drivers paying company car tax, the benefit in kind value will be £3855.

“The new EfficientDynamics model will give us a significant edge in the corporate market and provides company car drivers with a tax saving of up to £1165 compared with the new Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel,” commented Steve Chater, corporate operations manager, BMW.

It will also benefit business owners with reduced running costs, thanks to fuel economy of 62.8mpg, giving the BMW 520d EfficientDynamics a potential range of 967 miles between fill-ups.

The EfficientDynamics model will be available both as the 520d Saloon and 520d Touring estate.

Power (184hp) and torque (380Nm) are the same as the standard 520d, but the EfficientDynamic models benefit from a series of specific measures designed to extract maximum fuel economy including ECO PRO, due to become a standard feature on most model year 2012 BMWs.

ECO PRO is a driver-activated switch that helps promote economical driving at low speeds or when cruising by adjusting engine mapping, throttle sensitivity, automatic gearshift points and power consumed by electrical ancillaries such as the climate control or heated seats.

In addition to the standard 520d’s engine stop-start system, gearshift indicator, brake energy regeneration and aerodynamic flaps in the radiator grille that close at speed, the 520d EfficientDynamics has a longer final drive ratio to reduce engine speed on the motorway, and low rolling resistance tyres on special Streamline-design alloy wheels (pictured).

However, BMW Corporate Sales tell us that the Streamline alloys can be swapped at no cost for standard alloy wheels, without affecting the 119g/km CO2 emissions.

The BMW 520d EfficientDynamics goes on sale in September; price is £29,655.

BMW 520d EfficientDynamics factfile

• Power 184hp
• Torque 380Nm
• 0-62mph 8.2secs
• Top speed 144mph
• Economy 62.8mpg
• CO2 emissions 119g/km
• Company car tax band 2011/12 13%
• Price £29,655

Further comment on the new BMW 520d EfficientDynamics There’s additional commentary in the Editor’s Blog BMW’s company car lead on CO2 emissions.

Want to lease a BMW 520d EfficientDynamics? Read our story BMW 520d EfficientDynamics from £435 a month.