BMW has been honoured with the ‘Green award’ by UK-based CAR magazine in its annual Car of the Year awards.

Beating competition from other manufacturers including those with hybrid models, BMW received top honours for its EfficientDynamics programme because its ‘green measures are simple, widespread and hugely beneficial’.

The announcement came at the same time as the engine from the BMW M3 Coupé, a car that also uses EfficientDynamics technology, scooped ‘Engine of the Year’ in the CAR magazine awards.

What Car? magazine has also commended BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme. The publication’s end of year roundup entitled 'Green Heroes' looked at 45 'planet saving cars' you can buy today. Between BMW and MINI, the firm’s products were the best buy choice for six models and a recommended choice with four more models. By comparison no other premium manufacturer came close in terms of offering a wide range of economical, low emissions vehicles.

EfficientDynamics has also helped BMW win other prestigious awards.

The first ever ‘Green Steering Wheel’ award for environmental excellence in the automotive industry was presented to BMW by Bild am Sonntag, Germany’s best-selling newspaper. The award comes after BMW also won environmental awards from Austrian motoring organisation ARBÖ and AutoScout24, Europe’s biggest online car market.