Carbon Motors to use BMW diesel in new E7 police car


Carbon Motors E7
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Back in 2007 when Carbon Motors announced it would build the first purpose-designed police vehicle, the spec sheet called for a twin-turbocharged inline-six cylinder diesel engine. As any existing automaker will tell you, certifying a diesel engine to meet current U.S. emissions regulations is no trivial matter, so Carbon Motors would likely have to find a supplier with an engine already certified. But the number of companies currently selling passenger car diesels in the U.S. can be counted on one hand with some fingers to spare.

At a press conference in Washington D.C. on Monday morning, BMW and Carbon Motors announced that the German automaker would supply its highly regarded 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder diesel for these new police vehicles. Carbon has placed an order for 240,000 units of the same diesel engine used in the BMW X5 35d and 335d. In current U.S. emissions legal form, the diesel produces 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque.

Powered by the BMW diesel, the Carbon E7 is expected to achieve up to a 40-percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to current police vehicles. While this diesel-powered E7 will certainly be fuel efficient, it will also be substantially more expensive to buy than current police cruisers. Performance, however, should not be a problem and 0-60 miles per hour in the mid-six-second range should be easily achievable with all that torque. Based on our experience with the 335d, combined mileage in the upper 20-mpg range and highway mileage in the 30s should be easily achievable, making this a potentially very thrift highway patrol vehicle.

Between this, the new EcoBoost-powered Ford Police Interceptor, the Zeta-based Chevrolet Caprice and current Dodge Charger police offering, the cop car market is going to get very interesting in the next few years.

Check out our comparison chart of the upcoming police vehicle offerings here. We'll add the Carbon Motors E7 once we know a few more of its specs.



[Source: Carbon Motors]
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BMW Group receives major order from Carbon Motors Corp. to supply diesel engines for US law enforcement vehicles
  • Cooperation with US homeland security company
  • Expansion of industry customer business in the field of power-trains
  • Substantial reduction in US government fleet's CO2 emissions

Munich/Washington, D.C. The BMW Group has received a major order from the American law enforcement vehicle manufacturer, Carbon Motors Corp., to supply more than 240,000 diesel engines. Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, and William Santana Li, Chairman and CEO of Carbon Motors Corp. signed the contract at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. today. The agreement calls for delivery of inline six-cylinder diesel engines complete with cooling and exhaust gas system and automatic transmission.

Ian Robertson: "We announced the expansion of our powertrain system sales business as part of the company's Strategy Number ONE. Today's agreement with Carbon Motors marks another important milestone along this route – with others to follow." Robertson continued: "We are delighted to support Carbon Motors Corp. with our engine expertise. BMW Group diesel engines have a clear lead over the competition when it comes to fuel consumption, emissions and performance. In this way, we will also help reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of more than 240,000 US law enforcement vehicles by up to 40% over the coming years."

Carbon Motors Corp. was founded in 2003 and is the world's first manufacturer of purpose-built law enforcement vehicles. "In the BMW Group, we have found a strong partner who has been operating successfully in the US for more than three decades," noted Li. "The BMW Group drive system makes it possible to accommodate the mission critical law enforcement needs for performance, efficiency, and driving dynamics. Efficient BMW diesel engines will benefit not only the environment, but – thanks to the fleet's lower running costs–– also the American taxpayer," said Li.

More performance combined with lower fuel consumption and emissions – that is the motto of the BMW EfficientDynamics technology that has been standard in more than 1.6 million vehicles the company has sold since 2007. Continuous improvements in diesel engines are also a major part of this program. In recent years BMW diesel engines have dominated their classes at the renowned "International Engine of the Year Awards." In 2009, the BMW Group sold around 498,000 diesel engines vehicles worldwide – almost 39% of its total sales of 1.286 million units. In Europe the majority of BMW and MINI customers opted for diesel in 2009 – 63% of the more than 761,000 vehicles delivered in Europe were equipped with this kind of drive. Diesel is also becoming increasingly important in the US, where two diesel models, the BMW X5 xDrive35d and the BMW 335d Sedan have been available since December 2008. Diesel accounted for 17% of X5 sales for 2009 as a whole. In the meantime, almost one in three BMW X5 vehicles sold in the US has an inline six-cylinder diesel motor. The BMW X5 is the premium segment's best selling diesel vehicle.

Engine development and construction is one of the BMW Group's core competences and is part of the company's heritage since its founding in 1916. Today the BMW Group has a strong network with a total of 24 production facilities in 13 countries, including three engine plants in Steyr, Austria; Munich, Germany; and Hams Hall, UK.

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