Would you purchase a diesel-powered car for a reason other than greater fuel economy? How about performance? Nah. I’m sure most of you don’t think that a diesel engine can help a car achieve stellar acceleration figures.
But it can. For those of you who have not yet tried a turbo diesel engine in the last five years or so, you can arguably get the best of both worlds. But I’m still convinced that you’ll buy a car with a diesel engine for lower fuel consumption. Performance is just icing on the cake. And this is why the BMW’s new 335d leaves me a little confused.
The performance
Let’s get down to business. The twin-turbo, 24-valve 3.0-litre diesel in the 3-Series sedan and in the X5 sport-ute develops 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque, the latter peaking at just 1,750 rpm. In comparison, a 3.0 TDI engine is found in VW and Audi products and boasts lower numbers (225 hp / 407 lb-ft), while Mercedes-Benz’s BlueTEC has an even lower output (210 hp / 400 lb-ft).
With the mandatory 6-speed automatic, 0 to 100 km/h gets written off in 6.4 seconds, which is about a half second slower than in the 300-hp 335i. With all that low-rpm torque, the 335d blasts off with authority, but loses steam quickly above 4,500 rpm, right after its power peak. Not a big deal in real-world driving conditions, and the vast majority of turbo diesel engines are the same.
And this engine is smooth, apart from a little clatter at start-up. Every passenger that rode aboard never guessed that the car was powered by a diesel engine, because in any other seat than the drivers’, it doesn’t feel like a diesel.
The efficiency
After all, you’re buying a diesel for fuel economy, so performance numbers are futile, right? Well, not in this case, because you’re getting an arguably big engine in the 335d. Our fuel consumption average of 9.2 L/100 km isn’t bad, but could be better. Let’s not forget that the 335d requires a urea injection once in a while (a blue-coloured additive that reduces NOx emissions), which is performed at the dealership during regular maintenance intervals.
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| None of the 3-Series’ rivals offer a diesel engine option in North America right now |
But it can. For those of you who have not yet tried a turbo diesel engine in the last five years or so, you can arguably get the best of both worlds. But I’m still convinced that you’ll buy a car with a diesel engine for lower fuel consumption. Performance is just icing on the cake. And this is why the BMW’s new 335d leaves me a little confused.
The performance
Let’s get down to business. The twin-turbo, 24-valve 3.0-litre diesel in the 3-Series sedan and in the X5 sport-ute develops 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque, the latter peaking at just 1,750 rpm. In comparison, a 3.0 TDI engine is found in VW and Audi products and boasts lower numbers (225 hp / 407 lb-ft), while Mercedes-Benz’s BlueTEC has an even lower output (210 hp / 400 lb-ft).
With the mandatory 6-speed automatic, 0 to 100 km/h gets written off in 6.4 seconds, which is about a half second slower than in the 300-hp 335i. With all that low-rpm torque, the 335d blasts off with authority, but loses steam quickly above 4,500 rpm, right after its power peak. Not a big deal in real-world driving conditions, and the vast majority of turbo diesel engines are the same.
And this engine is smooth, apart from a little clatter at start-up. Every passenger that rode aboard never guessed that the car was powered by a diesel engine, because in any other seat than the drivers’, it doesn’t feel like a diesel.
The efficiency
After all, you’re buying a diesel for fuel economy, so performance numbers are futile, right? Well, not in this case, because you’re getting an arguably big engine in the 335d. Our fuel consumption average of 9.2 L/100 km isn’t bad, but could be better. Let’s not forget that the 335d requires a urea injection once in a while (a blue-coloured additive that reduces NOx emissions), which is performed at the dealership during regular maintenance intervals.
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| The twin-turbo, 24-valve 3.0-litre diesel develops 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. |