BMW Group will supply Carbon Motors Corp. with diesel engines, including cooling and exhaust gas systems and automatic transmissions, for the Carbon E7, the specialty automaker’s new patrol vehicle due to be introduced in 2012.
Neither the production schedule nor the manufacturing sites for the new engines, nor the value of the Carbon Motors contract, were reported. Carbon Motors was formed in 2003 to develop and produce a “purpose-built” police car, available only to law enforcement agencies to purchase. The prototype was unveiled in 2008, and in July 2009 the company identified a former Visteon Corp. plant in Connersville, Ind., as its manufacturing site.
The Carbon E7 police car will compete with a new Ford police vehicle, the Police Interceptor (based on the Taurus design), GM’s new Chevrolet Caprice PPV, and Chrysler Corp.’s Dodge Charger police car.
“America’s largest, and most visible fleets of government-owned vehicles, now in excess of 450,000 units, deserve the most durable, efficient and reliable powertrain available,” stated Carbon Motors chairman and CEO William Santana Li. “The strength of BMW as a partner will allow us to provide our women and men in uniform with a diesel engine capable of the performance they desire along with the significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions that U.S. taxpayers need.”
The choice of diesel technology for the E7 is meant to help U.S. law enforcement agencies reduce the estimated 1.5 billion gallons/year of gasoline they consume, and cut the estimated 14 million tons/year of CO2 emitted. The Carbon E7 is said to be designed to run for up to 250,000 miles, compared with 75,000 to 120,000 miles for the standard police patrol car.
“We are delighted to support Carbon Motors Corp. with our engine expertise,” said Ian Robertson, a BMW AG board member. “BMW Group diesel engines have a clear lead over the competition when it comes to fuel consumption, emissions and performance. Today’s agreement with Carbon Motors marks an important milestone in BMW’s 35-year commitment to the United States market.”
