BMW's Baloga confirms four-cylinder diesels for U.S. market
While some of us here at ABG HQ are major fans of BMW's diesel engines, we were disappointed when BMW opted to enter the U.S. market only with the twin turbo 3.0-liter six cylinder diesel. As fantastic an engine as that is, the 2.0-liter four cylinder is also plenty strong and yields even better fuel efficiency. At an event at BMW's North American headquarters this week, VP engineering Tom Baloga told the audience that BMW would introduce the four-cylinder diesel to the U.S. lineup now that tougher fuel economy standards have been imposed. In keeping with BMW's performance image, we will get the more powerful variants, likely the dual turbo, 204 hp version used in the 123d rather than the super-high-efficiency versions. Even with that engine, we averaged 37 mpg in the 123d last year. BMW plans to clean up the four cylinder diesel with a lean NOx trap like VW uses for the Jetta and Golf TDI rather than a more expensive and complex urea injection system. The four cylinder will most likely go into the 3 and maybe 1 series cars with the six being reserved for larger cars like the 5, 7 and X5.
Gallery: ABG Garage: 2008 BMW 123d Hatchback
[Source: Green Car Advisor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kumar 2:36PM (11/11/2009)
Hmmm....3 series diesel wagon w/ all wheel drive would be nice.
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Neouka 6:30PM (11/11/2009)
that would be sweet... or I'd rock a 123d or even a 120d any day, if they suddenly decide to be nice and give us the awesome hatchback :)
What would be more awesome is if they at least gave the option of having a manual transmission in any 4-cyl diesel car they offer. I'm pretty pissed off at Audi not offering even the option of having a manual transmission in the A3 TDI, even though it'd be simple enough to do, forgodssakes it's only a glorified Golf...
neptronix 2:45PM (11/11/2009)
really.. really... really?!
And here i was being excited about the CR-Z as the next great econo hot hatch...
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Dave 3:35PM (11/11/2009)
There will be nothing econo about a diesel BMW
huntertj 4:08PM (11/11/2009)
37 mpg is still econo
wincros 5:55PM (11/11/2009)
I think Dave is talking about the price not the mileage. It is not going to be cheap, probably as much as a Volt. :-)
ColoradoBill 4:14PM (11/11/2009)
I had the good fortune of being upgraded to a 320d during a visit to Scotland last spring and saw a good deal of the country on two tanks of fuel over 5 days. Needless to say it was a much better experience than driving the Ford Fiesta (gas model) on another recent trip to Italy, with basically the same fuel mileage. And to the extent that Americans give up sub 20 mpg vehicles for a 40+ mpg 3 series diesel, these are most definitely economy vehicles.
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paulwesterberg 4:30PM (11/11/2009)
Will it run on bio-diesel?
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thepirateeye 5:06PM (11/11/2009)
The six-cylinder engine in the 335d can run on B5 biodiesel, I'd assume this 4 banger can too.
paulwesterberg 5:21PM (11/11/2009)
5% bio diesel is pretty weak.
Joeviocoe 9:42AM (11/12/2009)
Modern diesels (use synthetic rubber in the fuel system) can run ALL levels of Biodiesel B5 to B100. HOWEVER, since it can and will damage parts if the owner is not VERY careful to only run the higher concentrations if the ambient tempurature is constantly above 55 degrees F.
Warranties will not cover damage from gelling because it is so costly and caused easily by user neglect.
In central florida, even I have gelled B99 in my VW on a chilly morning. Luckily, I had anticipated problems and installed an inline pre-filter just before my main filter. It clogged but only cost me $3.
I wouldn't recommend more than B20 on any car that is new and a driver that is not experienced.
paulwesterberg 10:36AM (11/12/2009)
Well Joe I'm glad you VW can handle b100, but most new tdi diesels are not designed to use it because they decided to save a few pennies on the particulate filter system:
http://www.biodieselsmarter.com/archives/2008/12/the_saga_of_the_09_tdi_and_its.php
http://www.biodieselnow.com/forums/t/24533.aspx
Joeviocoe 7:02PM (11/12/2009)
Yeah.. you know what Paul, I didn't think of the DPF. I don't know what would be the consequence of running high concentrations of Bio through something with a DPF or urea injection. And after reading the blog about the 2009 TDI new emissions system, yeah, I believe it. I'm sure that all post 2006 diesel sold in the U.S. are going to be so stringent on fuel choice, that any deviation (like B20 or higher) will make the CEL turn on and have the manufacturer get out the diagnostic Vaseline.
Gonna keep my 1999 Jetta TDI until she dies.
Joeviocoe 7:50PM (11/12/2009)
However, there is hope!
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=3508
Whether the OEM's will still void the warranty or not is still a good question. And if they just offer a model with a DPF up-stream injector/burner instead, they could avoid the whole problem.
Nixon 4:36PM (11/11/2009)
I would love to get either a 123d or 323d -- or even an ?23xd.
European Delivery, please! (as BMW, please don't build it here in the US...)
How would it be green? First off, it gets way better gas mileage than it's gas BMW equivalents. Second, start with running B5 biodiesel. Then move up to B20 and then homebrews between B20 to B100 once it is off warranty.
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CPS 12:22AM (11/12/2009)
Yes, European delivery and I'm sold.
wincros 6:00PM (11/11/2009)
"The four cylinder will most likely go into the 3 and maybe 1 series cars with the six being reserved for larger cars like the 5, 7 and X5."
A little late for that. The six cylinder is already in the 3 series in the US.
http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/vehicles/2010/3/335dsedan/default.aspx
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eliot 9:21PM (11/11/2009)
123d 5 Door, in Silver, please. =)
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Mechanicaldan 8:00AM (11/12/2009)
I'm an American working in Scotland and have a 120d 5 door hatch. It's awesome! Even with 177 hp, the massive amount of torque makes the car plenty fast, and we have gotten 45-50 mpg on road trips at 70+ mph.
We had been really sad that we wouldn't be able to get the 4 cyl diesel in the US, so choices were going to be VW, A3 or 335d. This is GREAT NEWS!
I'm guessing the 123d is going to be put in the X1. Hopefully, it'll be available in the 3 series cars also.
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Jake 10:23AM (11/12/2009)
Please, BMW, PLEASE. Give me a 123d or 323d with a MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I don't even want real leather seats. Just give me a manual and a 4-cylinder diesel. I'll even take the high-efficiency version...just give me a manual.
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