In all road speed ranges that are relevant in everyday driving, the engineers have achieved reductions in engine speed which have noticeable benefits for fuel consumption. For example when cruising at 100 km/h (62 mph) in sixth gear, the engine is only turning over at 1,600 rpm. The "centrifugal pendulum absorber" fitted in the engine's dual-mass flywheel ensures smooth, vibration-free running even at low engine speeds. It efficiently counteracts irregular running and eliminates vibration when accelerating. The diesel engine revs smoothly from low engine speeds and the accompanying sound is equally refined.

This extra refinement, and improvements to the Optimum Shift Indicator, encourage the driver to change to a higher gear more often and to shift down less frequently. This means that, despite the changed engine load profile, which has the effect of reducing fuel consumption and emissions, the new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition boasts the typical agility that everyone familiar with this sports sedan series has come to expect. The Edition-specific modifications include a longer final-drive ratio, an optimised aerodynamics package with a 10 mm (0.4 in.) drop in ride height and wheels with "turbine" styling. There is even a 15 per cent reduction in the rolling resistance of the tyres compared with the predecessor model.

On top of this, the economical sports diesel model also features all the fuel economy-enhancing measures used on other models in the new BMW 3-Series. These include Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start-Stop function and on-demand control of ancillary units such as the oil and coolant pump. In the premium sector of the intensely competitive mid-range market, the new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition is an attractive proposition for environmentally-minded drivers which to this day remains unrivalled even among its direct competitors.