BMW 118d news - Fine tuning - 2007

Just last week, TG staffer Piers Ward was driving - and blogging about - the BMW 118d. And he was impressed. Impressed with its economy of 60.5mpg and its CO2 emissions of just 123g/km.

The only thing that could make it better, he said, would be for BMW to lower that emissions figure just a fraction, squeezing it under the 120g/km line. That'd put it in a lower road tax bracket and make the 118d congestion charge-exempt when the clean air regulations come in next year.

And guess what? BMW has done exactly that. A couple of minor tweaks to the two-litre, 143bhp diesel engine have seen economy rise to 62.8mpg and CO2 emissions drop to 119g/km.

Which means you'll be able to traverse central London with impunity in 2008, giving a friendly green wave to Red Ken as you glide cleanly past.

Next week, Top Gear wishes for half-price petrol and the end of all traffic wardens. Cross your fingers.