BMW Introduces Diesel-powered M Cars

[Lomac]

BMW M Cars get tri-turbo diesel - BBC Top Gear

BMW's M Division may have started out with a raspy, fighty little petrol 3 Series, but today it stands for something more. Much more. Say hello to the birth of the 3.0-litre triple-turbo straight six diesel M car.

BMW recently revealed its intention to create a new range of M-tuned cars that would sit between the standard range and the ‘proper' M cars, and today we find out that on launch, the brand will offer a four-wheel-drive BMW M550d and M550d Touring, a BMW X5 M50d and a BMW X6 M50d.

They might have been borne in the fires of the original M535i way back in the eighties, but today's star is a different kind of six. That new 3.0-litre diesel packs three turbochargers: two small ones and a larger turbo. The lower inertia of the smaller turbos is used to deliver "razor-sharp responses" according to BMW, while the larger one is tuned for maximum pressure when you really feel like opening the taps.

As a result, it produces 381bhp and 546lb ft of torque. In the M550d XDrive, that equates to a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds (the new M5 does it in 4.4), a top speed of 155mph, a combined mpg of 44.8mpg and emissions of just 165g/km. Naturally the SUVs emit more (199/204 g/km for the X5 and X6), but acceleration is only blunted by up to half a second. Whichever way you look at it, it's fast.

BMW UK has confirmed we'll only get this triple turbo engine in the X5 and X6 - meaning no M550d for us - but all will feature an eight-speed sports auto and M-specific tuning of the suspension, bodyshell mounting, engine and transmission mounting, springs, dampers, chassis control systems and mapping for the hydraulic steering. As close to a full-blooded M car as you can get without widening the track and flaring the arches...

As expected, you get M design cues, a range of 19in and 20in wheel options, lots of leather, aluminium and Alcantara for the interior and a dizzying array of driver assistance systems.

So there you have it: BMW's first ever diesel-powered M car. Do you embrace this new direction with a whoop and a high-five, or does the thought of the M Division making an oil burner turn your stomach?

Thoughts? To be honest, since they're still making "proper" M cars, it personally feels like this is more of a slight performance upgrade from a generic model but with M-aero and badging added on... much like my friend's E36 328is, though it's got all the M3 factory options on it.

[StylinRed]

: shame diesels so expensive now too



side note im tired of all these different models and all these different trims within model lines its getting ridiculous and that goes for every brand not just bmw

[CorneringArtist]

Do want. Diesels are awesome. I wonder if Audi will respond with an S-line diesel.