BMW 4 cylinder Diesels coming to U.S.
11-10-09, 08:32 PM
#1
Speaks French in Russian
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BMW 4 cylinder Diesels coming to U.S.
Today we got some optimistic news from BMW on the future of diesels in the United States. In talking to journalists at the BMW University program at the company's U.S. headquarters in New Jersey, Tom Baloga, vice president of engineering for BMW of North America, expressed confidence that a four-cylinder diesel will show up in a range of U.S.-bound models during the next decade.
"You're going to see it of course in the 3 Series," he said, "and the 5 Series is a good possibility. If the performance [of such an engine] is sufficient in the X3, U.S. customers would likely accept it in the X5 as well."
Said diesel four-cylinder would be a 2.0-liter (as in the European 320d shown above), but BMW wouldn't be targeting the bargain end of the market.
"This engine needs to match the acoustic qualities of a 6-cylinder, and it needs to match the performance, as well as performing better in terms of fuel economy and emissions.
"Our four-cylinder diesel will be so good that people will readily accept it as a replacement for six-cylinders. The target is to produce enough horsepower to be comparable [in performance] to our N54/N55 six-cylinder turbos."
"You're going to see it of course in the 3 Series," he said, "and the 5 Series is a good possibility. If the performance [of such an engine] is sufficient in the X3, U.S. customers would likely accept it in the X5 as well."
Said diesel four-cylinder would be a 2.0-liter (as in the European 320d shown above), but BMW wouldn't be targeting the bargain end of the market.
"This engine needs to match the acoustic qualities of a 6-cylinder, and it needs to match the performance, as well as performing better in terms of fuel economy and emissions.
"Our four-cylinder diesel will be so good that people will readily accept it as a replacement for six-cylinders. The target is to produce enough horsepower to be comparable [in performance] to our N54/N55 six-cylinder turbos."
That will be great if they can do it.
11-10-09, 08:59 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
"This engine needs to match the acoustic qualities of a 6-cylinder, and it needs to match the performance, as well as performing better in terms of fuel economy and emissions."
"Our four-cylinder diesel will be so good that people will readily accept it as a replacement for six-cylinders."
Given they achieve above, now that makes diesels very interesting.
"Our four-cylinder diesel will be so good that people will readily accept it as a replacement for six-cylinders."
Given they achieve above, now that makes diesels very interesting.
11-10-09, 09:42 PM
#3
Definitely something to watch. While I still think current diesel tech advancements probably represent the end-stage refinement of an older tech, the efficiency improvements are laudable. Alternative tech probably represents a more progressive direction. However, some brands are good at big talk, such as the e-tron concept. So whatever comes out and actually is on the market, we can look at more closely...
11-10-09, 10:28 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
We've been hearing these rumors and promises for ten years now. If it actually happens, I'll be happily surprised.
11-11-09, 07:30 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
BMW is trying to make a desirable 4 cylinder (note their criteria which is clearly spelled out), something they haven't done for the US market in either gas or diesel form.
Per BMW:
"This engine needs to match the acoustic qualities of a 6-cylinder, and it needs to match the performance, as well as performing better in terms of fuel economy and emissions."
"Our four-cylinder diesel will be so good that people will readily accept it as a replacement for six-cylinders."
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11-11-09, 07:39 AM
#8
Yes, but the 335d is a 6 cylinder engine.
BMW is trying to make a desirable 4 cylinder (note their criteria which is clearly spelled out), something they haven't done for the US market in either gas or diesel form.
Per BMW:
"This engine needs to match the acoustic qualities of a 6-cylinder, and it needs to match the performance, as well as performing better in terms of fuel economy and emissions."
"Our four-cylinder diesel will be so good that people will readily accept it as a replacement for six-cylinders."
BMW is trying to make a desirable 4 cylinder (note their criteria which is clearly spelled out), something they haven't done for the US market in either gas or diesel form.
Per BMW:
"This engine needs to match the acoustic qualities of a 6-cylinder, and it needs to match the performance, as well as performing better in terms of fuel economy and emissions."
"Our four-cylinder diesel will be so good that people will readily accept it as a replacement for six-cylinders."
11-11-09, 08:17 AM
#11
Definitely something to watch. While I still think current diesel tech advancements probably represent the end-stage refinement of an older tech, the efficiency improvements are laudable. Alternative tech probably represents a more progressive direction. However, some brands are good at big talk, such as the e-tron concept. So whatever comes out and actually is on the market, we can look at more closely...
... BMW diesels are really nice too.
11-11-09, 03:02 PM
#12
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