There are two things the majority of British motorists are very fond of, efficient diesel engines and sports saloons. So BMW decided to make them an offer they can’t refuse by mixing the two and creating the BMW 320d ED Sport. It is pitched as a sporty take on the EfficientDynamic.

BMW 320d ED Sport differs from the normal in the sense that it gives you both the cool looks of the Sport trim and the efficiency of the 2.0 liter 320 diesel engine. It is a jewel of an engine developing 163bhp while returning 70.6mpg – which is what you get from the Hybrid i8 – corresponding to a CO2 rating of 104g/km. It can be had with either a six-speed manual or the class leading eight-speed automatic.

Those amazing economy figures are partly due to the engine and partly the EfficientDynamic features used in this model. They include Active Air Flaps integrated into the kidney grill, a lowered suspension set-up and improved aerodynamics. Performance-wise, the car can accelerate form 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 143 mph.

BMW 320d ED Sport also comes with more standard equipment than standard versions, including 17-inch lalloys, Business Navigation, Dakota leather upholsteries, Sports steering wheel, unique trim finishers and heated sports front seats. Prices start from £30,985 for the saloon and £32,285 for the Touring (estate) version.