BMW raises CO2 figures for entire range

BMW has increased the CO2 outputs of its entire range following retesting with the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP).

The largest increase in CO2 was seen with the BMW 520d SE Automatic, which is now rated at 119g/km, a growth of 17g/km – or a 14% jump compared with the previous New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test results.

Every model has also seen a reduction in economy, with the aforementioned 520d variant falling from 72.4mpg to 62.7mpg. The figure changes to this model will enforce a 3% rise in tax for company car drivers.

Even cars at the entry-level have been affected, with the 116d SE rising from 94g/km of CO2 and 78.5mpg to 111g/km and 67.3mpg respectively. The 116d SE Automatic now produces 116g/km and 64.2mpg, up from 99g/km and 74.3mpg.

BMW said that the number adjustments are attributed to the WLTP tests, which are widely regarded as being considerably more stringent than the outgoing NEDC process due to the incorporation of more accurate real-world driving scenarios.

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Prior to the WLTP’s introduction in September 2017, it was estimated that CO2 emissions would increase by up to 15% showing that BMW’s largest jumps place it towards the maximum expected changes.

BMW drew no links to its recent recall of 11,700 vehicles, which was due to an internal investigation that found its cars were producing higher emissions in real-world driving than lab tests. In an official statement released in February, BMW said engineers noticed “that correctly programmed software was wrongly used in a few models that were not compatible”.

Although the company informed authorities of its findings, no prosecutions have followed at this stage. Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) said that it didn’t consider the software used in affected models to be a ‘defeat device’.

BMW has already confirmed that it will halt the F80 M3 this August because it will require a new particulate filter to pass WLTP tests, something a spokesman told Autocar wouldn’t be financially viable for a model so far into its production life-cycle

BMW has also slightly raised prices across its range. A spokesman said that the changes are routine.

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