A recent article published in "Automotive News" reported that BMW is currently preparing an assault on America (and most likely Canada, too) with a monster wave of new diesel engines in various models from the 1-, 3- and 5-Series as well as the X3 and X5 SUVs and even the Z4 roadster.
Wait a minute… a diesel-powered Z4?! Hey, why not? After all, Audi already offers a TT Roadster TDI in Europe!
That’s because today’s diesels are nowhere near as wheezy, noisy, dirty and smelly as their ancestors, which made an idling car sound like a cheap vibrator from the local sex shop! Just try a new Golf TDI and you’ll be amazed by the evolution. Plus, this hot hatch has torque to spare! Unsurprisingly, VW Canada easily sells every unit in dealer lots.
The folks at BMW jumped on the bandwagon last year with the 335d sedan, which I had the opportunity to test-drive during a media event in Kingston, Ontario. Sadly, though, the small country roads of the Thousand Islands region did not allow me to fully exploit the spirited performance of the twin-turbo diesel fitted to this compact four-door hot rod.
Now, imagine what a pugnacious mill like that could do in Z4 application. I’m already dreaming about it!
Making the prospect of a diesel-powered Z4 even more enticing is the fact that most roadster owners are grand touring enthusiasts. They buy a convertible to chill and have fun on the open road during the weekends. Some want to escape with their significant other and enjoy the wind-in-the-hair experience for as long as they can. Since these drivers often travel over long distances, the superior fuel economy of diesel engines would be extra sweet.
I just love the idea of a turbodiesel Z4! Will the Americans catch on?
Wait a minute… a diesel-powered Z4?! Hey, why not? After all, Audi already offers a TT Roadster TDI in Europe!
That’s because today’s diesels are nowhere near as wheezy, noisy, dirty and smelly as their ancestors, which made an idling car sound like a cheap vibrator from the local sex shop! Just try a new Golf TDI and you’ll be amazed by the evolution. Plus, this hot hatch has torque to spare! Unsurprisingly, VW Canada easily sells every unit in dealer lots.
The folks at BMW jumped on the bandwagon last year with the 335d sedan, which I had the opportunity to test-drive during a media event in Kingston, Ontario. Sadly, though, the small country roads of the Thousand Islands region did not allow me to fully exploit the spirited performance of the twin-turbo diesel fitted to this compact four-door hot rod.
Now, imagine what a pugnacious mill like that could do in Z4 application. I’m already dreaming about it!
Making the prospect of a diesel-powered Z4 even more enticing is the fact that most roadster owners are grand touring enthusiasts. They buy a convertible to chill and have fun on the open road during the weekends. Some want to escape with their significant other and enjoy the wind-in-the-hair experience for as long as they can. Since these drivers often travel over long distances, the superior fuel economy of diesel engines would be extra sweet.
I just love the idea of a turbodiesel Z4! Will the Americans catch on?