By Benjamin Hunting
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February 5, 2012
BMW continues the expansion of its M Division through the introduction of four new diesel-powered models for 2013 that will be available on the European market this year. The diesel vehicles are the culmination of substantial speculation that BMW M would be comfortable lending its name to a new range of automobiles that borrowed existing engine designs rather than featuring the specially developed power plants that have traditionally been the M Division hallmark.
Of course, the fact that these four vehicles - the BMW M550d xDrive, the BMW M550d xDrive Touring, the BMW X5 M50d and the BMW X6 M50d - also happen to run on diesel fuel instead of gasoline is perhaps the most important aspect of the product unveiling. Setting these diesel editions apart from their more sedate oil-burning cousins is the inclusion of a tri-turbo, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that is capable of producing 376 horsepower and a staggering 545 lb-ft of torque, with the latter coming on at a very low 2,000 rpm.
This output is a substantial improvement over any existing BMW turbodiesel engine and gives each of the new M family members impressive acceleration capabilities. The 5 Series variants can hit 60 miles per hour from a standing start in under five seconds, while the X5 and X6 crossover models need just a few ticks more to reach the same mark. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with each vehicle, as is all-wheel drive (as indicated by the xDrive moniker in the model name). Other performance goodies that come with the tri-turbo M Division diesels include special programming for the all-wheel drive systems to enhance driving dynamics, a stiffer suspension system, hydraulic steering and an air suspension system for each SUV. Exterior modifications are also on hand to tell other BMW owners that you are piloting something special.
As it currently stands, these four M Division diesel beasts will not be showing their faces on this side of the Atlantic any time soon, due in large part to the cost associated with tuning the pollution controls on the tri-turbo engines to meet the variety of emissions requirements found on the U.S. market. Beyond the technological and regulatory issues, however, there are also a number of other questions surrounding the introduction of BMW M diesel models in the United States. Would American drivers, who are traditionally disinterested in diesel automobiles, be willing to pay top dollar for these vehicles? Would BMW be willing to risk diluting its image in the United States by offering M-branded vehicles that don't quite measure up to the expectations promulgated by their predecessors? It remains to be seen which European luxury brand will step up to the plate and be the first to import high performance diesel automobiles to American shores.
