BMW 123d hanging out in Michigan

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Europe, Hatchback, BMW

Imagine, if you will, a compact rear-wheel-drive hatchback that runs from 0-62mph in a very respectable 6.9 seconds. Not too shabby. Now imagine that this same car could average 45 mpg (US)! Not possible, you say? Au contraire! In other parts of the world where they don't just use gasoline to power cars, this is not an unheard-of possibility. One shining example is the BMW 123d, which was launched in Europe last year. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder diesel cranking out 204hp and 295lb-ft of torque, the 123d scores 45mpg (US) on the EU combined test cycle. For now at least, BMW isn't offering American consumers any of its four cylinder engines, but fuel system supplier Bosch has a fleet of European diesel vehicles that they use for promotional purposes. AutoblogGreen has previously tested the Smart ForTwo, Chrysler 300, and BMW 535d from this fleet and will soon be getting its paws on the three newest additions to the fleet. One of those cars is the 123d that you see above. Reader Typhoon5000 spotted this one in Flint MI the other day and shared some photos with us. Stay tuned for full reviews of this 123d and two other really cool diesels that you (unfortunately) can't buy. Thanks to Typhoon5000 for the tip and photos.

Gallery: BMW 123d in Flint

BMW 123d hanging out in Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM revamping Duramax diesel for new standards

John Neff — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Green, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors has decided to go ahead with plans to rework its 6.6L Duramax diesel V8 engine in anticipation of the new Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards that will take effect on January 1st. The new standards call for a 90-percent reduction of oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter. Though the changes won't interrupt production of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups in which the engines are used, they will sharply increase the cost of building the engines. GM Powertrain expects to meet the standards by using a new variable geometry turbo, enhancing the engine's exhaust gas recirculation and using a closed crankcase ventilation system. The exhaust system will also be supplemented with an oxidizing catalytic converter and particulate filter like those first introduced on many European diesels a couple of years ago.

You may remember Ford's plans to meet the new standards, which include using expensive piezo injectors on its new 6.4L twin-turbo Powerstroke diesel. Dodge has not revealed yet how it plans to get the Ram's Cummins diesel up to snuff by January 1st.

[Source: Autoweek]

GM revamping Duramax diesel for new standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jun 2006 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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