Quote:
Originally Posted by southlight
It's quite easy: The E46 M3 had 13.4l/100km on the EU standard consumption test, the new one needs 12.4l/100km for that test procedure: Makes an improvement of 8%. Problem is only that this test standard has nothing to do with rl driving behaviour.
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Not "real world" and not of concern for you Europeans, perhaps, but we have a little thing called the Gas Guzzler tax here in the US. it was implemented in 1978 on new cars to encourage fuel efficient vehicles, and is collected from the manufacturers by the IRS. The manufacturers turn around and pass it on to the buyer.
The tax is derived from the mileage test done by the EPA and is roughly (but not exactly) the following formula:
(1/(.495/City MPG + .351/Highway MPG)) + .15. Since the EPA tests have changed for 2008, they results will be converted back into equivelents for the old tests to apply the tax. This is the tax chart:
Unadjusted MPG (combined)* / Tax
at least 22.5 / No tax
at least 21.5, but less than 22.5 / $1000
at least 20.5, but less than 21.5 / $1300
at least 19.5, but less than 20.5 / $1700
at least 18.5, but less than 19.5 / $2100
at least 17.5, but less than 18.5 / $2600
at least 16.5, but less than 17.5 / $3000
at least 15.5, but less than 16.5 / $3700
at least 14.5, but less than 15.5 / $4500
at least 13.5, but less than 14.5 / $5400
at least 12.5, but less than 13.5 / $6400
less than 12.5 / $7700
The E46 M3 was hit with $1,700, because it came in just under 20.5 mpg. If the 8% improvement BMW claims on the European cycle were to hold for the EPA tests, the tax may go down to $1,000 for the E92 M3. No predicting right now where it will fall, but people need to remember to allow something in their budget for it. Thanks to SanDiegoBMWFan for reminding me of this.