Here's a riddle: what has four wheels, sounds like a blender full of cutlery, and spews out more sooty smoke than a tire fire? It's the diesel engine of years gone by!
The average North American still equates diesel power to an unrefined, noisy and underpowered driving experience. It's a deserved reputation--as for years, that's just what diesel was like.
The Germans have domesticated the often-overlooked fuel, and are now working to change perceptions. After all, diesel contains more potential energy than gasoline--so vehicles that burn it can go farther on a tank. That's a big deal these days.
A diesel fit for a BMW?
For 2009, BMW has started shipping North Americans their award-winning three-litre twin-turbo straight six diesel engine. It comes to us wrapped in one of two packages: namely a 3-Series sedan or an X5 Sports 'Activity' Vehicle. The tester was the latter, wearing an xDrive35d badge on the front doors.
The powerplant generates 265 horsepower and a more-important 425 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard, and includes manual and 'sport' mode shifting. Pulling power is impressive, as is the drivetrain's overall smoothness, mileage and refinement.
There's no dirty smoke, minimal diesel sound effects, and none of that pungent odour that makes some folks want to lose their lunch. Many passengers will be surprised and awed once told they're being propelled by diesel.
Engineers have specified the use of two smaller turbochargers here, negating much of the boost-lag common in diesel mills with a single turbine. Power comes on steadily as the boost engages, rather than slowly at first and then all at once. Where a Mercedes ML 320 CDI walks off the line and then feels like it's been rear-ended, the X5's powercurve feels more linear and less startling.
The average North American still equates diesel power to an unrefined, noisy and underpowered driving experience. It's a deserved reputation--as for years, that's just what diesel was like.
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| The tester was an X5 Sports 'Activity' Vehicle, wearing an xDrive35d badge on the front doors. |
The Germans have domesticated the often-overlooked fuel, and are now working to change perceptions. After all, diesel contains more potential energy than gasoline--so vehicles that burn it can go farther on a tank. That's a big deal these days.
A diesel fit for a BMW?
For 2009, BMW has started shipping North Americans their award-winning three-litre twin-turbo straight six diesel engine. It comes to us wrapped in one of two packages: namely a 3-Series sedan or an X5 Sports 'Activity' Vehicle. The tester was the latter, wearing an xDrive35d badge on the front doors.
The powerplant generates 265 horsepower and a more-important 425 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard, and includes manual and 'sport' mode shifting. Pulling power is impressive, as is the drivetrain's overall smoothness, mileage and refinement.
There's no dirty smoke, minimal diesel sound effects, and none of that pungent odour that makes some folks want to lose their lunch. Many passengers will be surprised and awed once told they're being propelled by diesel.
Engineers have specified the use of two smaller turbochargers here, negating much of the boost-lag common in diesel mills with a single turbine. Power comes on steadily as the boost engages, rather than slowly at first and then all at once. Where a Mercedes ML 320 CDI walks off the line and then feels like it's been rear-ended, the X5's powercurve feels more linear and less startling.
 |
| For 2009, BMW has started shipping North Americans their 3-litre twin-turbo straight six diesel engine. |