Autoblog

Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Coupe, Europe, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows, Police/Emergency, Design/Style, Diesel

AC Schnitzer BMW 123d Tune It Safe! police concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

High performance vehicles like Porsche 911s being used for pursuit duty on Germany's autobahn is nothing new. As such, in order order to grab the attention of Essen Motor Show attendees, the Tune It Safe! program's annual police-liveried show car needs to go a step further. Past efforts have included rides such as a police-liveried Brabus Rocket and a TechArt-prepared Porsche 911. This year, AC Schnitzer got the call and it has unwrapped (or perhaps wrapped is the better term, given the side graphics) a police car concept based on the BMW 123d coupe.

Naturally, Schnitzer couldn't leave the stock, 40 mpg 204-horsepower twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel alone, and so it has boosted the show car's engine to 241 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. They've also applied an array of their appearance upgrades including a front splitter, rear spoiler, and a bigger wheel/tire package. The body has been dropped 30 millimeters, which should help compensate a bit for the extra drag of the light bar on the roof. Inside, racing seats and carbon fiber trim are accompanied by a cover for the iDrive knob that matches the wheel design.

We'll pass on the light bar and the graphics, but take the rest of the car, please. Not sure about it yourself? Take a look at the high-res gallery below and a video available after the jump.

Gallery: AC Schnitzer BMW 123d police package

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

Continue reading Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [w/VIDEO]

Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: BMW plans to offer four-cylinder diesels in the U.S.

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Technology, BMW, Diesel

BMW X5 xDrive35d - Click above for high-res image gallery

To mechanics of the Seventies, the phrase "Oldmobile 350 Diesel" is enough to cause heart palpitations. For many Americans, that particular engine was their first - and most definitely last - exposure to diesel. Doomed from the start by both a lack of a water-separator (you ever try compressing water?) and the head/headbolt pattern from the Olds 350 Rocket (which expanded from the heat of the non-compressible water), few engines have done more to destroy a brand's reputation quite as thoroughly as that engine. In many ways, General Motors is still paying for that corner cutting blunder.

But man, talk about unfair! First of all, those bad old GM diesels were designed and built over thirty years ago - much has changed. Furthermore, slightly more than half of all the cars sold in Europe today are glow-plugged oil burners. And diesel owners simply love their cars. Why not? Lots of torque, fantastic mileage and no spark plugs to change, ever. But we would be mistaken not to point out that there is a section of the automotive landscape still not smitten with diesels, despite all of these advancements. Who? Driving enthusiasts, that's who. Hey, it's hard to love a 4,500 rpm redline when all you want to do is pound it at 9/10s.

BMW is looking to change all that - at least partially. According to Erin Riches at Inside Line, the brand from Bavaria plans to introduce four-cylinder diesels mit turbos to the U.S. in a few years. Says Tom Baloga, vice president of engineering for BMW North America, "This engine needs to match the acoustic qualities of a six-cylinder, and it needs to match the performance, as well as performing better in terms of fuel economy and emissions."

You can expect to see these new engines in both the truckish X3 and X5, as well as the all important bread-und-butter 3 Series and maybe even the 5 Series. All we need to hear is the middle part, because if BMW puts the new four-banger turbodiesel in the 3 Series, the motor simply has to be sporty. Them's the rules. Note: the Inside Line article never explicitly mentions turbos, but does say, "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." So, obviously, these new diesel fours will get paired with some sort of forced induction goodness.

Can't wait? BMW already offers the stonking 335d in U.S. dealers right now.

Gallery: 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d

[Source: Inside Line]

REPORT: BMW plans to offer four-cylinder diesels in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW looking at cheaper 5 Series Gran Turismo, rules out M model

Chris Paukert — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, Rumormill, Diesel

BMW 535i Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

The famed automotive pot-stirrers at Autocar are at it again. According to two blurbs from the UK publication, BMW's new 5 Series Gran Turismo may spawn at least one less costly, less powerful variant, but a high-performance M version is apparently off the table.

On the fuel and financial economy front, Bimmer is reportedly considering adding four-cylinder powerplants to the controversial new five-door, including the 175 bhp diesel from the 320d. A twin-turbo diesel may also be in the cards. The fear here is that the premium-priced 5GT may in fact be priced too aggressively, as it stickers above a comparable 5 Series Touring model. In any case, we don't expect to see the less-powerful diesel Stateside, although we wouldn't be terribly suprised if the company chose to shoehorn in something like the twin-turbo 3.0-liter diesel already on offer in the 335d.

On the M side of the equation, Autocar says that the gasoline V8-powered 550i will remain the pinnacle of the range, as BMW has "ruled out" a M-Technik variant. Given that BMW has recently seen fit to move M beyond traditional cars (see: X5 and X6) and that these higher performance models often have thicker margins attached, this strikes us as somewhat curious decision - especially as the 5GT figures to be the most dynamically promising of the bunch. This source also doesn't jibe with what we heard from BMW officials just last month when we drove the car in Portugal. At that time, the official line was that no decision had been made, but knowing glances and meek smiles seemed to indicate that things looked good for the model.

In other words, we'll believe it when we (don't) see it.

Gallery: First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo

[Source: Auto car]

Rumormill: BMW looking at cheaper 5 Series Gran Turismo, rules out M model originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW to introduce more powerful and efficient version of twin-turbo 3.0-liter diesel

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: BMW, Diesel

BMW has just announced an upgraded version of its 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine. The new version retains the same displacement, yet output for the European spec version is increased from 286 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque to 306 hp and 442 lb-ft. At the same time, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced by four percent compared to the previous version.

BMW has updated the fuel injection system to its latest generation common rail system. That means the injector pressure has been bumped from 1,600 BAR (23,000 psi) to 2,000 BAR (29,000 psi), allowing for even more precise metering of the fuel flow. The dual stage turbocharger system is now also more efficient. Since BMW only just introduced a version of the previous engine with U.S. legal after-treatment systems in late 2008, it seems unlikely that the U.S. will receive the upgrades in the near future.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW to introduce more powerful and efficient version of twin-turbo 3.0-liter diesel

BMW to introduce more powerful and efficient version of twin-turbo 3.0-liter diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW considering diesel 7-series for U.S.

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Green, BMW

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 BMW 7 Series

While we were visiting with BMW at the LA Auto Show, the automaker made a big deal about its diesel engines, suggesting that the oil-burners would be an alternative to hybrids in the United States just as they are in European countries. Although it wasn't initially in the plans for the U.S. market, BMW of America is getting some pressure from its dealerships to bring a diesel version of its range-topping 7 Series sedan, completely redesigned for 2009 and equipped with a twin-turbo 4.4L V8. That's an impressive engine no doubt, but after getting a drive in the Euro-market 730d, some dealers didn't even realize there was a different powerplant underhood. That bodes well for future diesels from BMW.

Soon, the Bavarian automaker will import diesel versions of its 3 Series and X5 utility vehicle with a twin-turbo six cylinder engine. On average, a diesel-powered Bimmer is about 20-25% more efficient than its gasoline-fed sibling, so diesels make sense both for consumers looking to lower their fuel bills and also manufacturers needing to adjust their CAFE fuel mileage statistics. In other words, it may be more surprising if an automaker like BMW didn't announce that it was working on more diesel engines for America.

Gallery: 2009 BMW 750Li

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

BMW considering diesel 7-series for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW announces 335d and X5 xDrive35d pricing

Michael Harley — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:29:00 EST

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 BMW 335d

BMW announced pricing for its all-new 2009 diesel models during a live webcast today. Fitted under the hood of the 335d and X5 xDrive35d will be a 3.0-liter twin-turbo diesel rated at 265 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque (BMW's own flagship 6.0-liter gasoline V12 barely tops it with 444 lb-ft). The torque precludes BMW from fitting a 6-speed manual to the engine, so both models will arrive with a 6-speed Steptronic automatic. The sedan will sprint to 60 mph in just over six seconds with the SAV adding about a second to the time. Base MSRP for the BMW 335d will be $44,725 (the price includes destination fees), while the base MSRP for the X5 xDrive 35d will be $52,025 (including fees). Both vehicles will qualify for the IRS Alternative Motor Vehicle Tax Credit, though the exact amount has yet to be determined. For comparison's sake, the 2009 VW Jetta TDI gets a tax credit of $1,300 while the Mercedes-Benz GL320 BLUETEC gets $1,800. The first shipment of vehicles will arrive at dealers before the end of the year. However, we'll be driving the 335d during the LA Auto Show next week and will be sure to post our impressions as soon as possible.

Gallery: 2009 BMW 335d Advanced Diesel

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

BMW announces 335d and X5 xDrive35d pricing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW diesels on sale in the U.S. mid-October

Michael Harley — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Green, BMW, Rumormill

Click above for more images of BMW's new diesels

The BMW X5 xDrive35d and 335d, both revealed live at the Detroit Auto Show, will be coming to the States in mid-October according to the latest rumor. The common engine will be BMW's dual turbocharged 3.0L inline-six diesel, good for 265 hp and 425 pound-feet of torque. According to BMW, these two vehicles will be among the most fuel-efficient and best performing in their respective classes. In addition, with their urea injection system and particulate filters, they should be among the cleanest too.

We called our contacts within BMW to confirm or deny the rumor, and as expected, our sources could only reiterate BMW's previous official statements that the cars would be "out by fall."

Gallery: Detroit 2008: BMW diesels

[Source: BMW Blog]

Rumormill: BMW diesels on sale in the U.S. mid-October originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit '08 Preview: BMW does diesel, will show US-spec X5 xDrive35d and 335d

John Neff — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:05:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, SUV, Green, BMW

click above to view more high-res images

Remember when we told you that "Blue" might become the new "Green" in automotive environmentalism? Here's more proof. BMW will be debuting two new diesel-powered models for the U.S. market at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and the name of the technology behind the new-for-U.S. diesel powerplant is BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance. The two vehicles in question are the X5 xDrive35d and the 335d, both of which will be powered by BMW's award-winning twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-six cylinder diesel that's also sold in Europe and elsewhere. Don't worry Californians, both vehicles will be 50-state compliant thanks to their engine that manages to satisfy the stricter requirements set by the California Air Resource Board through the use of a urea injection system called AdBlue ("Blue" again!). You can check out what additional tweaks the engine has received in BMW's detailed press release after the jump.

In the U.S., the 3.0L twin-turbo diesel is expected to produce 265 hp and 425 ft-lbs of torque, which is plenty for us. At the same time, it will return 23 city/33 highway mpg and take the 335d sedan to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds. Talk about having your cake and eating it, too. We just have to say how giddy we are that European diesels are on their way en masse and welcome the BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance with open arms. You can bet we'll be first in line to test one, though as a matter of fact, we already have.

[Source: BMW]

Gallery: BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance

Continue reading Detroit '08 Preview: BMW does diesel, will show US-spec X5 xDrive35d and 335d

Detroit '08 Preview: BMW does diesel, will show US-spec X5 xDrive35d and 335d originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diesel's on our doorstep: Audi lays out TDI intitiative for the U.S.

Chris Shunk — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Green, Crossover, Audi

While Japanese automakers have the hybrid lead, the front-runners in diesel are companies of German descent. Mercedes is bringing home the bacon with BLUETEC, BMW is slapping twin turbochargers onto a 3.0-liter diesel, and Volkswagen will implement BlueMotion into five different VWs. Audi intends to join the oil-burning club here in the States with the introduction of the 3.0 TDI, which is good for 240 HP and 406 lb.-ft. of torque. With all that twist, tires should scream from rubber-stripping takeoffs, but even aggressive driving won't translate at the pump as bad as their gasoline counterparts. Audi expects a 35-percent fuel economy bump vs. similar gasoline powerplants.

The 3.0 TDI has an ultra-low emission system in the exhaust tract, which kills NOX gas by means of a carbonic acid diamide solution, helping the diesel to meet the LEV II Bin 5 classification. That means each of the 50 states will accept the 3.0 TDI as a salable vehicle. It's hard not to get excited about an engine that takes off like it's shot out of a canon and also gets up to 40 MPG on the highway. Expect the new Audi diesel to arrive first in the Q7, and later in the A4.

Audi's press release is after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Diesel's on our doorstep: Audi lays out TDI intitiative for the U.S.

Diesel's on our doorstep: Audi lays out TDI intitiative for the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW to bring twin-turbo diesel to the U.S.

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Green

Those of us Stateside have been deprived of more diesel models than you shake an oversized fuel nozzle at, but it looks like the folks over at BMW may be on their way to curing our high-mileage, high-torque lust. The automaker's 286 HP, 427 lb.-ft. of torque 3.0-liter twin turbo engine may find a way under the hood of various models throughout BMW's lineup, likely to append the "35d" designation to the 3-, 5- and 6-series models. Fuel mileage should be up over 35 MPG, but there's no word on when it will arrive. If we had to guess, we'd say late next year.

[Source: Wards Auto]

BMW to bring twin-turbo diesel to the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Regenerative braking coming to BMW 3-series in October

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 08:53:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Green, BMW

We already know that BMW isn't interested in making any hybrid gas/electric vehicles unless they can find a way to make the system more efficient than their most efficient diesels (click here for more from AutoblogGreen). But, that does not mean that some of the technology pioneered in hybrid vehicles can't find a place in the BMW model range.

Take for instance regenerative braking. While your standard hybrid is capable of recapturing energy normally wasted in braking with their electric motor(s), the same technology can be used in a more mainstream application by aiding the alternator in energy production. The BMW 5-Series and 1-Series have already used this type of system with good effect, so it comes as no surprise that BMW would implement it in their best-selling 3 Series as well.

The system is capable of coupling and decoupling the alternator from the engine, which has the dual benefits of slowing down the vehicle when engaged and freeing up more engine power for the wheels when disconnected. It's nice to see that performance and fuel-economy can cohabitate under the same hood.

Trickle-down tech: Non-hybrid BMW 5 Series to feature regenerative braking

[Source: Motor Authority]

Regenerative braking coming to BMW 3-series in October originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW refines U.S. diesel plan

Chris Tutor — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 15:06:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Technology, BMW

BMW is coming stag to the U.S. diesel party, despite hinting in October that they were close to joining fellow German automakers VW, Audi and DaimlerChrysler in marketing Bluetec technology in the U.S.

"We are in the process of thinking of a name that is different from Bluetec," a spokesman for BMW told Reuters on Wednesday.

Matt Davis over at Winding Road says you BMW fans yearning for diesel power should be appeased soon. But what BMW names their urea-injection technology remains to be seen. We'll probably find out for sure next week in L.A.

[Source: Reuters]

BMW refines U.S. diesel plan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Nov 2006 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Alpina D3: Economical Excitement

Alex Nunez — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Europe, BMW

Let's mull over some numbers.

2.0 liters. 200 horsepower. 302 lb-ft. 7.4 seconds. 6 speeds. 47.9 miles per gallon* combined.

Put them all together in one car, and you have the Alpina D3, a serious diesel performer wrapped up in a BMW 3-series shell and made better by the magicians at Alpina. Packing 100hp/liter, the D3 is more than capable of holding its own against BMW's 330i. Sure the 330 is a second quicker to 60, but we're betting that the Alpina-massaged diesel is the more fun car to drive, thanks to its sizeable torque -- better than the 330's gasoline I6's by 82 lb-ft.

At the fuel pump, the matchup between the D3 and a 330i turns into a rout. The D3's 47.9 mpg rivals the numbers put out by some city cars, and is significantly better than the 330i's 32 mpg in the combined cycle. Consider that the 330 also requires premium unleaded and the economy gap widens even further.

Finally, since it's an Alpina, buyers get the special blue paint, an exclusive aero kit, 19" wheels, and an impressive list of interior upgrades. All that for £26,995? It's a steal. The 330i's pricing starts at over £2,000 more, and while it's undeniably excellent, it lacks the Alpina's cachet.

Powerful, economical, exclusive and fun -- that's the BMW Alpina D3 in a nutshell. We'd love to have one.

*MPG figures are in Imperial gallons. 1 Imperial gallon = 1.2 gallons

(Pics, Press Release after the jump)

[Source: Alpina]

Continue reading BMW Alpina D3: Economical Excitement

BMW Alpina D3: Economical Excitement originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Sep 2006 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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