Getting 40% above the city number may be possible, (29.4 mpg), with some more extreme measures, but its not going to happen on hwy trips as it took optimal conditions ( steady 50 mph cruise on level ground with no a/c or wind) to get the 35 mpg figure. A more normal hwy economy number is 30-31 mpg.
It still makes me wonder how the epa numbers could be so low, especially for the hwy number, as all I do to get 30-31 mpg is use the cruise and don't speed.
We will likely replace my wifes car with the new 5 when it comes out in 2011. If I can really get the claimed 30% increase that means 40 hwy mpg by just setting the cruise and driving.
BTW, I do suspect the 5 must have fairly decent aero for a vehicle of its type. If you do the math, to be getting 30 mpg at 65 mph means a road hp of only around 22. ( 2.17gph at 0.6 lbs/hp/hr)
Dean in Milwaukee