BMW Reveals Plans For Slew Of Upcoming Diesel Models

The diesels are coming, the diesels are coming! America may be short on diesel-powered cars right now, but the next few years promise an influx of modern diesel engines across a variety of brands, including the Ultimate Driving Machine, BMW. Leaked plans for a variety of diesel Bimmers have hit the Internet…and I like what I see.

BMW is launching diesel engines across its entire lineup, starting with the popular 3-series sedan in early 2013, followed by the 3-series sportwagon in the second half of the year. The larger BMW 5 series will also get a diesel engine as well as the BMW X5 SUV. In 2014 the even-bigger BMW 7 series and X3 will receive diesel engines as well, meaning diesel will be offered across the BMW lineup.

The engines coming to U.S. shores are a 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbodiesel, and a 3.0 liter six-cylinder turbodiesel. The 4-cylinder diesel will make 180 horsepower and 280 ft-lbs of torque, while the inline-six will offer 265 horsepower and 425 ft-lbs of torque, while returning between 30 and 40 mpg on the highway. That sounds very promising indeed.

While BMW has offered diesel engines in the U.S. for a few years now, they haven’t found too many takers. But it looks like BMW is ready to make a big play here in the U.S., and now could be the time to strike. This also corresponds with plans to bring a MINI diesel to the U.S. as well (BMW owns MINI).

Interest in diesel engines, and even sales of diesel-powered vehicles, are on the rise. With the right marketing, BMW could become a leader in diesel vehicle sales. All that torque combined with excellent fuel economy is sure to be a winning combo in today’s new car market.

Leave it to ze Germans to turn America onto diesel.

Source: Autoblog