BMW has a plan for diesels in the U.S.
Matt Davis, the European Editor over at Winding Road, was able to get the low down on BMW's strategy to offer diesels here in the Land of the Brave.
During an event to give U.S. journos a taste of Bimmer's 335d Touring, equipped with a 3-liter bi-turbo diesel, the folks at Winding Road opined the fact that North American consumers would never be able to enjoy a BMW diesel stateside. That may all change when BMW announces their plans for diesels in the U.S., in addition to debuting the hydrogen-powered 7-series and new X5, at the L.A. Auto Show later this month. The soon-to-be-released oil burner in question is the 535d, which currently meets all manner of state and federal acronymed organizations, however, when 2009 rolls along and California enacts a 30-percent reduction in emissions, BMW will have to bust hump to make their diesels as clean as can be.
This move is due in no small part to their cross-town rival, Mercedes-Benz, beginning to offer the Bluetec line of diesels on U.S. soil and Audi's plans on introducing a new TDI engine at the Detroit Auto Show (sorry, NAIAS). However, just like MB, BMW will have to offer some form of urea injection, beyond what it currently employs.
[Source: Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sQoolboy 3:38PM (11/08/2006)
Its about time.
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sp 4:00PM (11/08/2006)
California restrictions are from 2007, while it becomes NATIONWIDE in 2009.
No diesel in the world currently passes 2007 California emission tests.
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Gunnar 4:03PM (11/08/2006)
It's for BMW to rise the Benz challenge.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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TheChaz 4:43PM (11/08/2006)
How is it that Honda has been able to make a diesel perform up to the Cali standard without any extra urea injection while the Germans haven't? I for one would much rather get the engine with one fewer fluid to keep track of.
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Jayson 4:58PM (11/08/2006)
Its because Honda is the greatest engine builder in the world.
I for one like the urea engines.
I would love to piss into my engine from time to time.
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leo 11:50AM (11/09/2006)
Honda has recently stated that in 2-3 years they will come out with a diesel that will meet California emmisions without the Urea, but will have a new catalytic converter that will produce it in the first stage and use it up on the second stage
they yet, do not have a diesel that can meet those standards
check your facts, so to autotech daily and search the archives for the last few weeks and you'll find this article
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Stphane Dumas 5:13PM (11/08/2006)
Jayson, I taugh then Honda gived some brides to some bureaucrats or bureaucrats sleeping in bed with Honda. that's the conspiration theory of the day LOL
And speaking of diesels engines, I spotted on GMInsidenews this rumor of a diesel Holden Commodore for Australia http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40102
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chuck goolsbee 5:32PM (11/08/2006)
#2, I mean this in the nicest possible way, and please don't take it personally, but...
FSCK Kalifornia!
--chuck
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Zo 5:53PM (11/08/2006)
It was reported by AutoBlog in a past posting on BlueTec that BMW would be part of a consortium that would all be using BlueTec. As far as we know, the BMW strategy is for BlueTec and to use BlueTec in the USA and Europe. What has changed?
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sp 5:37PM (11/08/2006)
4. they have not. Engine wont be production read until 2009-2010. Honda right now doesnt even have particulate filter on their diesels, unlike most other diesel manufacturers.
It also has only one diesel engine of their own.
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Tal D 10:12PM (11/08/2006)
The more diesels , the better!
More competition with more diesel power should be win , win , win. For the consumer, for the manufacturer and for decreased fuel consumption.
? how it will effect diesel fuel prices. Hell the refineries will have to produce more of it and less gasoline cause we will all be driving cars with diesel power.
Don't for get the hybrids, the hydrogen and electric powered units either. What else?
Soon , we will just be using fuel produced from American oil.
Geez. Cabernet really makes one glow.
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