U.S. Stiffed on M class diesels

http://www.bmwcca.org/node/3733

U.S. stiffed on M class diesels Posted On Jan. 26, 2012 Once again the U.S. is being tantalized by powerful diesel BMWs we'll never see. You'd think that there'd be some way to get them into this country, as diesel engines are proven performers and a significant part of the European car market. It seems unlike BMW to leave money on the table, but there it is –– again.

M550d xDrive Touring: Move along folks, nothing to see here...h

Now BMW has announced its line of diesel-powered M Performance vehicles to be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Needless to say, there are currently no plans to bring them Stateside.

BMW’s range of new M models includes the M550d xDrive Sedan, M550d xDrive Touring, X5 M50d, and the X6 M50d. All will be powered by the new 3-liter triple-turbo diesel straight six. BMW says the three turbochargers are high-pressure and utilize variable turbine geometry, which soundss very cool.

The engine also makes use of common-rail direct injection with piezo injectors, a combination good for 2200 bar maximum injection pressure. That all means 381 hp and aa monster 546 lb-ft . Peak horsepower is achieved at 4000 rpm, while max torque is available at 2000 rpm, well shy of the 5400-rpm redline.

BMW incorporated many of its Efficient Dynamics-branded technologies into the new M models, as each model gains start-stop functionality, and an efficiency-optimizing Eco Pro mode. An eight-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox available, and all models will feature BMW’s xDrive system. For handling, each of the new M diesels receive unique suspension tunings with new springs and dampers. As a bonus, the M550d xDrive Touring and the X5 M50d also boast self-leveling rear air suspension.

Each M Performance model also gets subtle exterior enhancements, which include side mirrors and vent bars finished in Ferric Grey metallic, trapezoidal exhaust tips, high-gloss Shadow Line trim, and exclusive 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels.

Performance figures are equally impressive. BMW says the M550d xDrive sedan can hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, and is limited to 155 mph. Fuel economy is somewhere around 37 mpg U.S. combined, although that figure is based on EU-cycle testing. Other M diesels won’t be all that much slower: the M550d Touring sprints to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds; the X5 M50d in 5.4 seconds and the X6 M50d in 5.3 seconds.––Paul Duchene

I think I'm gonna cry...

I am much more sad that we don't the Jaguar diesel V6.

BMW is getting as bad with 'M' badges as Chevy is with 'SS' badges.

You don't have to sell me on diesels. They're awesome. But I always thought an M car was supposed to have a stupid-high-revving engine...

that is a real shame. That would have done wonders for proving that Diesels are not the old smelly GMs of yesteryear.

from what I understand, the Diesel powered 6er is one long legged beastie too

The M class is a Mercedes. And you can so get it with a diesel! Or a hybrid. Or a V6. Or a V8. Or an AMG V8. And with rear wheel drive. Or with 4WD. My brain hurts.

I have no problem with M-edition diesels. It's the end result that matters.

mad_machine wrote: that is a real shame. That would have done wonders for proving that Diesels are not the old smelly GMs of yesteryear.

Smoky stinky TDIs fill that void very nicely. (Okay, so they usually only smoke when cold, but the exhaust odor still reminds me of sour milk)

I'm sure if BMW thought they could make a profit after clearing the EPA hurdles, they'd try to sell them here. As it is, the kind of people who spend $100k+ on cars are probably not terribly concerned about fuel economy, even if you do end up saving money by using a fuel that costs 20-50% more.

the US didn't get "stiffed"- the car companies have done the market research and come to the conclusion that diesels in the US just aren't worth it.

Just add the M SPORT not M "class" diesels to a LOOOONG list of diesels that the U.S. does not get. Examples? Subaru and Honda both sell diesels in other markets. (BTW, the diesel CR-V is both FASTER to 60 MPH and more fuel efficient that the gas version.)

In Europe, you can get an Infiniti M as either a hybrid or a diesel...but since the U.S. is ga-ga over hybrids, we get those, instead.

And yes, several testers for CAR agree, the Jag V6 diesel is a creamy performer and doesn't take a back seat to it's German competition.

Knurled wrote: I'm sure if BMW thought they could make a profit after clearing the EPA hurdles, they'd try to sell them here. As it is, the kind of people who spend $100k+ on cars are probably not terribly concerned about fuel economy, even if you do end up saving money by using a fuel that costs 20-50% more.

Yep... BMW is probably looking at the sales numbers for their current US diesels... then the costs associated with certifying a limited production, high-performance version... and finding the end result really hard to swallow...

Merc is bringing a diesel 4-cylinder in the 2013 GLK crossover later this year.

BMW needs to get in gear.

integraguy wrote: In Europe, you can get an Infiniti M as either a hybrid or a diesel...but since the U.S. is ga-ga over hybrids, we get those, instead.

It's a different market. Gasoline, from what I saw on the road today, is $3.29-3.40/gallon. Diesel is $3.79-4.09. Those proportions tend to be reversed in Europe - I keep hearing numbers like $7-8/gallon for Diesel, $9-12 for gasoline. (Urp) Even if the Diesel got the same or worse fuel economy, it would still make sense with numbers like that. As it is, in the US you can expect to just about break even fuel cost vs. fuel economy.

And then there's the legislative issues. I am unsure how VW is doing it nowadays, but the truck Diesels have catalysts and filters and traps that take up most of the length of the truck, sensors to monitor NOx in real time (instead of just making educated guesses like gasoline engines can get away with) and urea injection and/or dumping fuel down the exhaust via timed extra injections during the exhaust stroke... and the hardware is NOT cheap. Wonder why a new Diesel pickup can run you over $50k? Or a Touareg Diesel is something like $70k?

Twin_Cam wrote: BMW is getting as bad with 'M' badges as Chevy is with 'SS' badges.

BMW is getting bad at naming in general.....lots of stupid letters and numbers and all that x-drive crap.

How about just call it a 550x.

integraguy wrote: Just add the M SPORT not M "class" diesels to a LOOOONG list of diesels that the U.S. does not get. Examples? Subaru and Honda both sell diesels in other markets. (BTW, the diesel CR-V is both FASTER to 60 MPH and more fuel efficient that the gas version.) In Europe, you can get an Infiniti M as either a hybrid or a diesel...but since the U.S. is ga-ga over hybrids, we get those, instead. And yes, several testers for CAR agree, the Jag V6 diesel is a creamy performer and doesn't take a back seat to it's German competition.

supposedly the diesel WRX is like 300tq and gets near 40mpg on the highway. That would be nice, considering mine gets about 25....

irish44j wrote: BMW is getting bad at naming in general.....lots of stupid letters and numbers and all that x-drive crap. How about just call it a 550x.

Remember the M635CSi?

actually, I park near one every day at work and drool over it.