BMW 6-series to get twin-turbo diesel
CAR Online is reporting that BMW is set to install their 3.0-liter twin-turbo diesel into its 6-series coupe later this year. The force-fed oil-burner is the same one BMW uses in the 5-series sedan and the very same 535d that AB Green's Mike Magda got to drive (if briefly) during the LA Auto Show last year. That 535d sibling hustles to 60 mph from a standing start in just 6.5 seconds, thanks in large part to its 413 lb-ft of torque. That's even more torque than is found in the range-topping M6 (a measly 383). Although horsepower is considerably lower at 272 vs. the 500 found in the M6, we expect the fuel mileage benefits to appeal to many with gas prices holding high. The 535d gets a combined 35.3 mpg on the British standard rating. The M6 manages just 12/18 on the EPA cycle. CAR anticipates that we'll hear more about the car later in the year. And as a sidenote, we know tuners like Hamman have already worked that mill up to 350 hp/487 lb-ft of torque, so this could get very interesting.
[Source: CAR Magazine]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tal 8:58AM (2/20/2007)
Good for BMW!
Diesels appear to be an economical way to significantly help lower the use of oil consumption without the use of the more expensive dual powered systems.
Except for VW, it seems like the diesel equipped vehicles are on the higher end price range.
When can we expect diesels for the everyday driver that cannot afford the 50K plus price tag?
That's the type driver that needs the benefit of the superior fuel mileage.
I read an article from a back issue of Winding Road Magazine in which Lusk gave a plethora of reasons diesels won't be produced or sell in automobiles in this country.
You know what, if a American automobile company won't produce diesel power for automobiles then I figure sooner or later there will be more reasonable offerings from more innovative "foreign" manufacturers.
I think American manufacturers are going to miss the boat.
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mike 9:40AM (2/20/2007)
OH BABY, OH BABY, OH BABY!!!!
Could almost me an M killer????
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praetorian 10:13AM (2/20/2007)
2009-2010 is supposed to be the year of the diesel in america (which is why I won't be buying a new vehicle until 2010.) Ze germans (MB, BWM, etc.), Honda (!!!) and even possibly toyota will be releasing 50-state compliant diesels. Personally, I'm hoping for a diesel version of the bmw 1-series coupe and a honda crate-engine diesel that I can drop in my old land cruiser.
Ford decided they were uninterested in me as a customer when they axed the turbo-diesel bronco concept.
Can't wait to help start the domestic algae-derived bio-diesel revolution. The petro-arab's can sit and spin. (And I mean that in the least culturally insensitive manner possible.)
Cheers,
prat
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Carzzi 10:20AM (2/20/2007)
Actually, the updated top of the line BMW 3.0 diesel produces 286 horses and 425 "torques". Not a huge amount but there should be more area under the curves.
See the updates on the german car fans/ world car fans website.
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Barretta 11:19AM (2/20/2007)
Very cool, unfortunately them there Gallons will be Her Majesty's Imperial size, rather than the teeny weeny US Gallon. Lop about 12% off to get a US MPG rating.
Who says everything in America is bigger?
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why not the LS2/LS7? 11:18AM (2/20/2007)
I believe this is the same engine that made its debut in the press by Jenson Button being busted for doing over 200km/h with it (in a 535d). Apparently young people can easier get a license to drive a Diesel than a gas engine or something. So he did and got the fastest one he could find.
Given how heavy this engine is, and the fact that it has very little HP means it's not even close to an M killer.
Carzzi:
I don't think a Honda crate engine will do any good for your Land Cruiser. First of all, the low redline of a Diesel and higher torque production means it needs different gearing, which means you'll need a tranny swap too. Second, Honda engines spin counterclockwise instead of the clockwise everyone else's engines spin, which means that after installation your Land Cruiser will have 4 reverse gears and only one forward.
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SOhp101 11:40AM (2/20/2007)
Oooh, hot. too bad we don't get that diesel engine here in the states.
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NoNameDenton 5:32PM (2/20/2007)
Dear BMW: Please bring that engine to the States, it is great and would sell well
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Barney 11:53PM (2/20/2007)
People seem to forget that Diesels was sold in NA before. Maybe dealers are hesitant to try selling them again. Those who can afford a BMW, probably can afford the gas.
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