Diesel Sales Percentage

[jaaX3]

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tml#post683468

*See Bold Print*

Some BMWs will get 4-cylinder engines

Jason Stein
and Diana T. Kurylko
Automotive News
November 23, 2009 - 12:01 am ET

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. -- BMW will offer four-cylinder diesel engines in North America as it seeks to improve fuel efficiency and match the performance of its current six-cylinder gasoline engines.

BMW is considering diesels in a range of models, including its 1 series, 3 series and 5 series sedans and possibly the X3 crossover and Z4 roadster, said Tom Baloga, vice president of engineering for BMW of North America.

"You're going to see it in the 3 series, and the 5 series is a good possibility," Baloga said. "If the performance is sufficient in the X3, U.S. customers would likely accept it in the X5 as well."

Baloga did not disclose timing but said BMW will be ready to comply with emissions rules. Federal rules will regulate the amount of carbon dioxide per mile, based on an automaker's fleet average. The rules call for an average of 250 grams of C02 per mile by 2016, which equates to 35.5 mpg.

Baloga said BMW will seek diesel performance comparable to that of its current six-cylinder engines by using a turbocharged 2.0-liter model tuned for performance. In Europe BMW sells a 320d with a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel.

"Our four-cylinder diesel will be so good that people will readily accept it as a replacement for six cylinders," Baloga said. "With the weight reduction, performance could be similar to the turbocharged six-cylinder [gasoline engine] if we pushed very hard."

Baloga said BMW will aim for a substantial increase in its diesel sales mix in North America.

"If we hit 10 to 20 percent, we would be happy," he said.

In Europe, 70 percent of BMW's sales are diesels.

With exhaust treatment, BMW's diesels will meet California emission standards as well as federal tailpipe emission rules. Baloga didn't disclose what technology would be used -- a diesel particulate filter or a selective catalytic reduction treatment with a refillable on-board urea tank as in the BMW 335d.

"The strategy for aftertreatment is to make it less expensive and less trouble," he said.

Unlike archrival Mercedes-Benz, which began selling diesels here in 1960, BMW waited until this year to introduce an ultraclean 50-state diesel engine. BMW's only prior U.S. diesel was the 524td, sold as a 1985 model.

BMW discontinued the model after selling 3,644 units in the United States. Demand fell off, and the reputation of diesels became tainted in the United States because of problems associated with diesels offered by General Motors in the 1980s.

Sales of the X5 xDrive35d and 335d, which are powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo, six-cylinder in-line diesel, got off to a slow start. Diesels now represent 13 percent of total X5 sales but only 1.3 percent of 3-series sedan sales.

BMW launched a marketing campaign and offered a $4,500 rebate on both diesels during last summer's cash-for-clunkers program. The incentive continues through December. Through October, BMW sold 1,002 335d sedans and 2,706 X5 xDrive35d crossovers.

The 335d has an EPA rating of 23 mpg city/36 mpg highway -- 35 percent higher than the gasoline-engine model. The X5 xDrive35d is rated at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway. BMW says the vehicle's performance is comparable to that of a gasoline V-8 engine but fuel economy is 37.5 percent better.

[XXX555]

I'd bet if (when) the excellent twin turbo gasoline engine was (is) offered in the X5 the diesel engine percentage will drop to the 3 series level, almost.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by XXX555

I'd bet if (when) the excellent twin turbo gasoline engine was (is) offered in the X5 the diesel engine percentage will drop to the 3 series level, almost.

While I agree it is an excellent engine, it may never come to the X5. The new 535 has a single turbo 3.0 gasoline engine, and that higher tech engine will replace the twin turbo across the line, just not sure when.

[Fraser]

"Sales of the X5 xDrive35d and 335d, which are powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo, six-cylinder in-line diesel, got off to a slow start. Diesels now represent 13 percent of total X5 sales but only 1.3 percent of 3-series sedan sales."


Not surprised by this. Diesel engines make more sense in bigger, heavier and less aerodynamic SUVs than they do in smaller, lighter and more aerodynamic sedans.

[Diesel Guy]

funny, but the Ford focus, and Nissan mini vans I've rented while in Europe were both diesel.....so not sure why you think the make sense in bigger vehicles.... It's all about efficiency........and if you want to play along with the global warming hype.......it's about reducing CO2 (fuel efficency) and reducing your carbon foot print.

God knows someone has to do it....Al Gore certainly isn't.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by Diesel Guy

funny, but the Ford focus, and Nissan mini vans I've rented while in Europe were both diesel.....so not sure why you think the make sense in bigger vehicles.... It's all about efficiency........and if you want to play along with the global warming hype.......it's about reducing CO2 (fuel efficency) and reducing your carbon foot print.

God knows someone has to do it....Al Gore certainly isn't.

Europe is virtually all diesel regardless due to various EU measures to encourage diesels over petrols. As you say, it's all about C02 and the EU's focus on global warming.

My point is that the percentage gains in fuel economy of diesel over petrol get better the big and heavier the vehicle in question is. You don't see any heavy transport using petrol power.

[rh71]

Everyone new here seems to post about their diesel... that plus the eco-credit incentive, I wonder what the MY2010 sales numbers have been like as far as gas vs. diesel percents go. Has that been released? I'd be surprised if gas still sold better recently.