Diesel Report from Detroit – The 2014 North American International Auto Show

By Christian Stampfer on 13 January 2014
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DSC_0111DETROIT—The 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) marks the start of the automotive year for car enthusiasts around the world.  The show has been held since 1907 in Detroit, Michigan (with the exception of the years 1943 to 1952) and remains one of the most important automotive industry gatherings in the world. While other international shows are known to focus more on electric powered and environmental friendly cars, the Detroit Motor Show traditionally emphasizes power. Nonetheless we have found some interesting cars and concepts of the diesel and electric powered automobile world in Motor City.

Here’s a look at key announcements and premieres this year.

BMW GROUP

With the launch of the BMW 2 Series coupe, BMW is continuing with its strategy to differentiate the four-door and two-door models in its product line. The BMW 2 Series coupe is the successor of the BMW 1 Series coupe and it will be available with both diesel and petrol powerplants, depending on the market.

BMW is launching the 2er with three diesel and two gasoline engines.  Most markets will be able to choose from the 218d, 220d, and 225d.  All three variants of the 2 Series are powered by the same two-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that provides a different power output for each model type. The BMW 220d will produce 184 horsepower (135 kW) at 4,000 rpm and develop 280 pound-feet (380 Nm) of torque between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. The fuel economy with a manual gearbox is to be 52 mpg (4.5 l/100 km) according to BMW. The top model in the diesel lineup, the BMW 225d will provide 218 horsepower (160 kW) at 4,400 rpm and (332 pound-feet) 450 Nm) between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm while sipping fuel at a rate of only 58 mpg (4.7 l/100 km).

The gasoline variants are the 228i and the M235i. According to BMW, there are no plans to offer diesel variants of the BMW 2 Series in the U.S.

Nearly three years have passed since BMW offered the first glimpse of its all-new BMW i product line at the International Auto Show in Frankfurt 2011. Since then, the all-electric BMW i3 and its plug-in hybrid sibling, the BMW i8 have not lost the futuristic and revolutionary vibes that originated from both models. The passenger compartments of both cars are made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) in order to offset the additional weight incurred by the lithium-ion batteries. The i3’s electric motor generates a maximum output of 170 horsepower with a peak torque of 184 pound-feet. The zero-emission car can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 7.2 seconds and offers a driving range of 80-100 miles (130 to 160 km) with fully charged batteries. The 2015 BMW i8 uses a completely new 1.5 liter three-cylinder gasoline engine and a modified version of the electric motor that powers the i3. The combined power output is 362 horsepower with 420 pound-feet of torque while the estimated fuel economy is said to be 94 mpg (2.5 l/100 km) in the EU test cycle.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen

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