BMW confirms fall launch for U.S. diesels, racing to beat Mercedes
Back in January BMW made the big announcement that it would finally introduce modern clean diesel engines to the U.S. market. At the time the Bavarian manufacturer told us that the new 335d and X5 xDrive35d would be launched by later in 2008 without getting any more specific than that. A blog specializing in news about the blue and white propeller brand is reporting that the new models will debut in mid-October. We decided to give BMW a call this afternoon and talked to spokesperson Charlene King. She reiterated the company has not made any new announcements about availability and re-confirmed that the diesels would debut this fall.
Having said that, last month Mercedes emphasized that they would be the first to offer Tier 2 Bin5 compliant diesels in the U.S. market when they launch BlueTec SUVs this fall. Neither company has actually provided an on-sale date, but there is no doubt that BMW will be racing to beat their arch-rivals to the showroom. Regardless of which company actually gets there first, both are likely to lose out to Volkswagen which has said they will begin selling the new Jetta TDI in September.
[Source: BMW, BMWBlog.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Earl 10:09PM (4/21/2008)
Diesel's like $4.20 a gallon here, don't waste your time BMW and Mercedes, the efficiency gains are already wiped out by the price/gallon.
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Michael Hippenhammer 11:46PM (4/21/2008)
Don't forget that is about reducing consumption. Bio-diesel cost more than regular diesel and I still buy it over dino diesel. And with the performance gains with the diesel, in torque, the diesel is much more fun to drive than the gas version. BMW drivers expect a quality built car with performance to boot and you will most likely put premium in the gas cars and cost of fuel is a minor issue when you can already afford a BMW.
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Lad 2:31AM (4/22/2008)
I don't like the characteristics of a non-turbo diesel engine. They have a very narrow torque curve that requires lots of shifting to keep the cams on the torque peak. And, don't be suckered in by the Audi race car PR. It's a special built turbo car that only the rich can afford. Diesel cars adds a high level of complexity with a high pressure fuel pump, direct injection and an exhaust particulate filter and thus expense that puts it out of most people's budget. Also, many of the diesel cars earmarked for our market are made by European makers who are being pinched by the high exchange rate and must price their cars higher as a result. Outside of running bio in them, they don't do anything to help us with our oil crisis.
I think Maximum Bob has it right when He says GM is going hybrid instead of diesel. And lastly, if it's so damn great to run around in a diesel "stink pot," pissing off everybody, why didn't Formula One adapt it instead of specifying flywheel hybrid technology for their newest rule set?
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Jesse Thoresen 8:09AM (4/22/2008)
I’m sure glad I purchased my 2005 diesel Passat for an additional $300.00 over the gasser. My car is now worth $6000.00 over a comparable 2005 Passat gasser. The fuel prices have defiantly taken a hit but with the increased mileage about evens things out. I also have an additional component, torque.
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Val 10:43AM (4/22/2008)
BMW and practically everyone else also don't like the torque curve of a naturally aspirated diesel... So that's why they decided to put turbos on them, the 35d has two of those, so what is your point. Who is to say what is simple and what is complicated? Do you think that modern gasoline injectors for a DI petrol engine are simple and cheap? Or the various variable valve timing/lift tech on intake and exhaust? Even the standart catalyst is not that simple and cheap, it`s just been around for so many years. Anyone still remember the days when cars had a big sign saying "catalyst" on the back?
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Lad 2:41PM (4/22/2008)
@Val:
The addition of diesel back into the American market doesn't help us solve the problems we currently have with continuing to use oil to drive our economy. I realize there are those who like diesel for whatever reason and it does have its uses when high torque is needed; but, IMO, one-driver passenger cars is not a good fit.
While bio fuels help with the foreign oil dependency problem, it doesn't help with the pollution problems and GHG. Only the desire to stop burning fuel inefficiently in ICEs and discharging the results in the atmosphere will help that problem.
As an aside: I wonder how many diesels, currently being driven and new, will suffer from a shortened life cycle now that sulfur has essentially been removed from the fuel? High sulfur content was believed to offer additional lubrication qualities to extend the life of the diesel engine.
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Chris Adams 8:48PM (4/22/2008)
I can speak for fuel prices here in Florida: Premium (i.e. the required fuel for any non-diesel Benz or BMW) is about $3.60/gal and diesel is about $4.10. That's $0.50 difference, or 14% extra for the heavier fuel. Guess what? Diesel vehicles get 30-40% better fuel economy, all else equal. I average over 27MPG from a 5000 pound 4WD SUV Mercedes (ML320 CDI). And yes I routinely exceed the speed limit by 5%. And I don't think I could get much better than 22 out of the gasoline version.
Regarding Lad's worries about lubricity, see the wikipedia reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-low_sulfur_diesel. In particular note the new lubricity standard that went into effect as of 2005 (ASTM D975).
I LOVE going almost 800 miles to a tank of fuel, I love the torque, and I love the feel of the diesel. It's not smelly, you can't hear barely a slight diesel burble, and it will be worth more than the extra $1K that I paid for that engine.
Case closed (except the don't drive ICE argument, don't have an answer to that, sorry).
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