The Diesel Driver » Audi Q7 TDI

2011 Year in Review: Diesel in America

Paul Riegler — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:52:42 +0000

2011 was a good year for diesel fans. Sales of diesel-powered automobiles in the U.S. were up 39% in the first half of the year, and it looks like that figure will increase when all of 2011 is tallied.

Two entirely new diesels were introduced in 2011, namely the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec and the Volkswagen Passat TDI . Both cars are four-door sedans with excellent fuel economy and plenty of passenger room.

In addition, Mercedes-Benz introduced a completely redesigned ML350 BlueTec over the summer.

Earlier this year, readers of The Diesel Driver chose the BMW 335d as the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year . The 3er received 29.6% of the vote, and 3,669 readers from 43 countries took part in the balloting. In second place was the Volkswagen Golf TDI with 16.1 percent of the vote. The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, with 16 percent of the vote, came in third.

In August, TDD editors Jonathan Spira and Christian Stampfer traveled to the Mercedes-Benz factory in Sindelfingen to take delivery of The Diesel Driver’s new E350 BlueTec sedan . Since then, the E-Klasse has visited four countries (Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.S.) and 10 states plus the District of Columbia in the U.S. Its maiden drive was from Sindelfingen to Maastricht, and its first trip in the U.S. was from New York to Kennebunkport.

In a poll we conducted earlier this year, 749 readers told us why they purchased a diesel. The most often cited reason was fuel economy followed by power and torque. Reliability was third, followed by reduced emissions and a higher residual value.

From the Tokyo Motor Show, Jonathan Spira reported that BMW and Mercedes-Benz are starting to offer diesels in Japan, traditionally the land of the gasoline-electric hybrid. Christian Stampfer reported from Frankfurt on the newest diesels and alternative-fuel vehicles being introduced by BMW and by Mercedes-Benz and Jonathan Spira discovered that Jaguar Land Rover will offer a diesel in the U.S. although exactly which vehicle and when remain uncertain.

Finally, balloting for the 2012 Diesel Car of the Year started last month and you can still place your vote or tell your friends to vote for their favorite diesel. This year’s nominees include seven passenger cars; the Audi A3 TDI, the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec, the Volkswagen Golf TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI, and the Volkswagen Passat TDI, as well as six SUVs, the Audi Q7 TDI, the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.

Voting ends at midnight on March 1, 2012. The 2012 Diesel Car of the Year, as well as the two runners up, will be announced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2012.

Vote for the 2012 Diesel Car of the Year

Jonathan Spira — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:01:22 +0000

Voting for the 2012 Diesel Car of the Year has started. Four companies, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, currently offer diesel passenger cars in the U.S.

This year’s stellar field of nominees includes seven passenger cars; the Audi A3 TDI, the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec, the Volkswagen Golf TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI, and the Volkswagen Passat TDI, as well as six SUVs, the Audi Q7 TDI, the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.

Two of these models, namely the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec and the Volkswagen Passat TDI, are new for 2012. The winner of the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year Award, the BMW 335d, is no longer in production, so the field is wide open, and it’s up to readers of The Diesel Driver to make the decision. Last year, over 3600 readers took part in the vote.

Voting starts at noon on November 18 and ends at midnight on March 1, 2012. The 2012 Diesel Car of the Year, as well as the two runners up, will be announced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2012.

Each year, The Diesel Driver’s readers will select the Diesel Car of the Year, recognizing three vehicles offered in the U.S. as the people’s choice. As jurors, you can vote for any one of the 13 nominees. Criteria range from fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions to performance, handling, styling, comfort, and the overall package.

The Diesel Driver is the world’s leading publication geared towards automotive enthusiasts who are interested in diesel-powered passenger cars. The Diesel Driver offers in-depth road tests and reviews, diesel-oriented travel features, and features that focus on the latest in diesel technology.

2011 BMW X5 xDrive35d Review and First Drive

Jonathan Spira — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:59:34 +0000

The BMW X5, which first appeared in 1999 as a 2000 model, was completely redesigned for the 2007 model year. In 2009, BMW of North America introduced the diesel-powered X5 xDrive35d alongside the BMW 335d. In many respects, the X5 diesel competes against the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec ,the Audi Q7 TDI, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI although each has unique qualities. The four are the only diesel-powered SUVs available in the U.S. at the present time.

We last looked at the BMW X5 diesel at the beginning of 2010 and the car we liked then has gotten even better. In the first two quarters of 2011, 24.5% of BMW X5 drivers chose the diesel mode as opposed to the comparable petrol variant, down from 29% in the first half of 2010.

For 2011, the X5 got a new front bumper and air intakes, a new rear apron as well as numerous minor cosmetic changes. BMW claims that its engineers created a total of 4000 new parts for the 2011 model but this includes two new engines and drivetrains for the gasoline-powered versions.

The X5 xDrive35d remains the fastest and most fuel efficient vehicle in its category (its 0-60 time is 6.9 seconds with fuel economy of 19 mpg (12.8 l/100 km) city/26 mpg (9.0 l/100 km) highway/22 mpg (10.7 l/100 km) combined versus, for example, the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, which goes from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds with fuel economy figures of 20 mpg (11.8 l/100 km) city/25 mpg (9.4 l/100 km) highway/22 mpg (10.7 l/100 km) combined.

Most of the significant changes relate to infotainment technology. As of March production, the X5 comes with BMW Apps, a low-cost infotainment option ($250) that brings compatible iPhone apps and certain functionality into the BMW in an integrated fashion. Currently, supported apps include Facebook, Twitter, and Internet radio powered by TuneIn Radio, as well as the ability to display the iPhone’s calendar and last-mile navigation allowing the driver to remove the iPhone from the car and get directions from his parking spot to the actual destination.

To use the apps, simply download the BMW Connected App from the iTunes store (it’s free). BMW Apps is fully integrated with the vehicle including the iDrive display and controller and the iPhone is connected to the car using the standard iPhone USB cable or a snap-in adapter in the center armrest that provides charging.

Once connected, the phone is operated using the iDrive controller and buttons on the multi-function steering wheel.

BMW recently added support for Pandora and announced plans for a Mog app. The Pandora app allows the driver (or passenger) to access existing stations, create new stations, rate tracks with a thumbs up or thumbs down, and bookmark songs. The Mog app will bring that company’s on-demand streaming music service, which includes access to virtually any artist, album, or song, and Mog’s unique “artist only” radio, plus the ability to store music on the iPhone and tap into Mog radio and Mog’s curated content (e.g. new releases, editor’s choice, and top charts).

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Driving the BMW X5 xDrive35d

2011 Audi Q7 TDI Quattro Review and Test Drive

Paul Riegler — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 15:25:37 +0000

The Audi Q7 TDI, last reviewed here in 2009, is Ingolstadt’s largest and was eagerly awaited here for its combination of aggressive styling, overall useability, and good handling. Few vehicles provide seven seats, massive torque, and 21.5 mpg (10.94 l/100 km). Its optional towing package can handle up to 6,600 pounds (2,994 kg).

Buyers considering the Q7 diesel frequently also look at the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.

INSIDE THE 2011 AUDI Q7 TDI QUATTRO

As we have come to expect of Audi, the interior is elegant and well executed. Leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control are standard, and high quality materials abound.

Audi upgraded the Q7 TDI’s interior for 2011, adding numerous standard features including hand-picked wood inlays, heated steering wheel power tilt/telescoping steering column, and 12-way power front seats. In addition, the TDI Prestige comes with ventilated seats and a large panoramic sunroof. Our Q7 had the $6,000 Premium Plus package, which included the aforementioned sunroof, navigation, xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and turn signals, and a Bose stereo. 18” wheels and the vaunted Quattro all-wheel drive system are standard as well.

The layout of the dash and driver’s area is clean and everything is easy to find. Seats are more than comfortable and are very supportive.

It took a while to get used to the quirky location of the glove compartment release button (it’s next to the display in the center stack) but this only baffled passengers who were overly curious and wanted to see what was inside. Audi’s MMI cockpit controller works well but, like any sophisticated system, takes time to get used to. The shortcut buttons around the controller help to some extent, but unlike BMW’s, which have different shapes so your fingers can recognize them, you basically have to look down to make sure you press the right one.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Driving the Audi Q7 TDI Quattro

2012 Diesel Car Lineup in the U.S. – What’s New

Paul Riegler — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:18:28 +0000

More and more buyers picked a diesel in the first half of 2011 and the reasons behind this are clear. Not only do diesels have better fuel economy but they are typically cleaner than the gasoline-powered equivalents and one doesn’t have those pesky (and expensive) batteries to worry about a few years down the road.

Most automakers build diesels although you wouldn’t know it by walking into a U.S. showroom. A total of 14 models from four automakers, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, will be available for the 2012 model year. This includes the brand new Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec and the Volkswagen Passat TDI as well as recent entries such as the Mer cedes-Benz E350 BlueTec.

With diesel sales on the uptick, why are there still so few on the market? The answer is that building a diesel engine that meets stringent U.S. emissions standards is expensive and most car makers simply don’t bother because they aren’t convinced that diesels will sell in the U.S.

With diesel sales up 39%, the editors of The Diesel Driver are pleased to present the diesel passenger car lineup for 2012.

AUDI

A brand new Audi A3 is just over a year away so Audi is not making any major changes in the current A3 TDI. The 2011 Audi A3 TDI gets 30 mpg (7.8 l/100 km) in the city and 42 mpg (5.6 l/100 km) on the highway.

The Audi Q7, which gets 17 mpg (13.83 l/100 km) in the city and 25 mpg (9.4 l/100 km) on the highway, remains unchanged for 2012 as well.

BMW

BMW has been leading the marketing charge in the U.S. for diesels (witness the company’s brilliant “Changes” Super Bowl commercial). Unfortunately, with the launch of the new F30 3er Series planned for next spring, production of the 335d, the car that The Diesel Driver’s readers picked as the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year, is ending and BMW of North America is not offering a diesel 3er with the launch of the next generation 3er.

This leaves the X5 xDrive35d, which gets 19 mpg (12.38 l/100 km) in town and 26 mpg (9.0 l/100 km) on the highway, as the automaker’s sole diesel offering in the U.S. for 2012 and it continues largely unchanged going into the 2012 model year.

Click here to continue to Page 2 -2012 Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Lineups

Diesel Economics: Sales Up 39% for First Half of 2011

Ben Rossi — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:21:57 +0000

An in-depth analysis of new car sales data by The Diesel Driver shows that sales of diesel-powered automobiles in the U.S. are up by 39% compared to the first half of 2010. In addition, buyers continue to choose diesel models over gasoline equivalents at the same rate as last year.

The Diesel Driver analyzed new-car sales data for the first six months of 2011 from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, the four companies that offer diesel-powered passenger vehicles in the U.S. (see the detailed chart at the bottom of page three). While diesel’s total market share has remained steady, sales are up compared to the first two quarters of 2010, and are on track to exceed the total 2010 diesel sales. The data cover the first two quarters of 2011 (January through June). Total diesel sales for the period were 47,873 vehicles.

The past six months saw several diesel-powered cars consistently outsell their gasoline equivalents, including the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI (81% diesel), Volkswagen Golf TDI (56%), and the Audi A3 TDI (54%). Strikingly, BMW 335d sales are neck and neck with the gasoline version this year, with the diesel 335 claiming a significantly larger market share than during the first half of 2010.

The overall diesel take rate remained steady in the first half of 2011. The first two quarters of 2010 saw a 32% market share for diesel among the four car manufacturers. In the first six months of 2011, that number remained 32%. Diesel sales fell between the beginning and end of this period; in January, diesel sales were 32%, falling to 28% by June. However, at 47,873, total diesel sales for this year so far exceed those for the first two quarters of 2010 by 39%. If sales continue at this pace, the figure could be 108,000 or higher, exceeding the 2010 total of 77,877.

Audi once again led in the percentage of buyers who chose diesel (48%), up from 45% in the first two quarters of 2010. In total sales, Volkswagen was the clear standout with 33,259 diesel cars sold. That’s a 42% percent increase from the same period last year. Mercedes-Benz took second place with 5,953 sales (ousting BMW, which claimed the runner-up spot in the same period last year), although it still came in last place in comparable model sales with 18%. With 4,805 units sold, BMW moved down to third place. Audi came in fourth with 3,856 sales.

Several completely redesigned models that were introduced in 2010 continued into 2011 with strong sales. These include the Volkswagen Touareg TDI and the Jetta TDI. Production of the BMW 335d will end in August, leaving one BMW diesel model, the X5 xDrive35d, available. The all-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI should be arriving at dealerships this fall, and Mercedes-Benz’s 2012 S350 BlueTec, the first diesel-powered S-class in the U.S. market since the 1996 model year, should be available later this summer.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Manufacturer-Specific Trends and Data

BMW 335d is the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year

Paul Riegler — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:15:57 +0000

The BMW 335d is the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year, announced Jonathan Spira, editor of The Diesel Driver magazine. The BMW 335d received 29.6 percent of 3,669 votes cast by readers of The Diesel Driver from 43 countries. 83% of the votes came from readers in the United States.

“The BMW 335d combines exemplary fuel economy, sports car handling, and passenger comfort in a single package,” said Mr. Spira in presenting the award to Paul Ferraiola, BMW of North America’s product planning and strategy manager, and Joe Wierda, product manager for the 3 Series, at the New York International Auto Show

“The 335d truly is changing the way Americans feel about diesel,” said Mr. Ferraiola in accepting the award. “Readers of ‘The Diesel Driver’ share our passion for the great performance and efficiency of our BMW Advanced Diesels. They are the embodiment of BMW EfficientDynamics.”

In second place was the Volkswagen Golf TDI with 16.1 percent of the vote. The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI, with 16 percent of the vote, came in third.

Each year, the Diesel Driver’s readers select the Diesel Car of the Year and recognize the top three diesel automobiles offered in the U.S. For the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year, jurors (magazine readers) chose among 12 passenger vehicles and SUVs. Criteria ranged from fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions to performance, handling, styling, comfort, and the overall package.

This year’s stellar field of nominees included six passenger cars, the Audi A3 TDI, the BMW 335d, the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, the Volkswagen Golf TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI, and the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI, as well as six SUVs, the Audi Q7 TDI, the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.

The Diesel Driver is the world’s leading publication geared towards automotive enthusiasts interested in diesel-powered automobiles. The Diesel Driver offers in-depth road tests and reviews, diesel-oriented travel features, and features that focus on the latest in diesel technology.

Voting started at 12:01 a.m. on December 1, 2010 and ended at 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2011.

2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Review and Road Test

Jonathan Spira — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:42:41 +0000

The all-new 2011 Volkswagen Touareg is the second generation of the SUV built on a shared Volkswagen Group platform in Bratislava, Slovakia alongside its platform cousins, the Audi Q7 and the Porsche Cayenne.

The Touareg, pronounced “twah-reg”, gets its name from the nomadic Tuareg people in North Africa, believed to be descended from the ancient Saharans.

The 2011 model was introduced in 2010 with a sharp, aggressive looking exterior and several technology firsts, including Dynamic Light Assist, a glare-free high-beam system that constantly and gradually adjusts the pattern and range of the high to minimize illumination of any vehicles in front while focusing the light on the area surrounding them. Unfortunately, this option is not offered in the U.S.

The new Touareg is available not only in diesel and gasoline variants but also as the Touareg Supercharged Hybrid, which mates Audi’s 3.0-liter, 335 hp supercharged V-6 with a 47-hp electric motor. We’ll review the hybrid later this year.

The 3.6-liter gasoline V-6 (280 hp, 265 pound-feet of torque) and the 3.0-liter diesel V-6 (225 hp, 406 pound-feet of torque) are both carry-over engines from the previous Touareg, which we reviewed last year. Both engines, however, benefit from a new and very responsive eight-speed automatic transmission as well as from a diet that resulted in the loss of 400 pounds of excess weight.

EPA numbers for the diesel (19 mpg versus 16 in the city, 28 versus 23 on the highway) make the diesel advantage clear (the hybrid gets 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway). It’s also clear why, in 2010, more buyers chose the first generation diesel Touareg over the gasser and fully one-third of buyers of the 2011 Touareg have also gone with the oil burner.

While the hybrid boasts many impressive features, including the ability to switch off the gasoline engine at speeds of up to 99 mph, in our view the diesel represents the best all-around Touareg. You sacrifice one second in 0-60 (the hybrid takes 5.9 seconds to reach that speed, the diesel, 6.9), but overall the fuel economy is better and you’ll save over $10,000 (the hybrid starts at $60,565 compared to the diesel’s $47,950 base price).

The 2011 Touareg TDI isn’t just sportier looking, it is a very entertaining car to drive. Although fun isn’t usually the top of mind with vehicles in this class, Volkswagen definitely added a heavy dose of Fahrvergnügen (a word coined by Volkswagen specifically for use in several U.S. advertising campaigns which joins “Fahr” from fahren, “to drive,” with Vergnügen, “pleasure,” to convey “driving pleasure.”)

Click here to continue to Page 2 -Driving the Volkswagen Touareg TDI

Vote for the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year

Greg Spira — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:01:03 +0000

Four companies, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, currently offer diesel passenger cars in the U.S. This year’s stellar field of nominees includes six passenger cars, the Audi A3 TDI, the BMW 335d, the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, the Volkswagen Golf TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI, and the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI, as well as six SUVs, the Audi Q7 TDI, the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.

Voting starts at 12:01 a.m. on December 1 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2011. The 2011 Diesel Car of the Year as well as the two runners up will be announced in late January.

Each year, the Diesel Driver’s readers will select the Diesel Car of the Year and recognize the top three vehicles offered in the U.S. As jurors, you can vote for any one of the 12 nominees. Criteria range from fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions to performance, handling, styling, comfort, and the overall package.

The Diesel Driver is the world’s leading publication geared towards automotive enthusiasts interested in diesel-powered passenger cars. The Diesel Driver offers in-depth road tests and reviews, diesel-oriented travel features, and features that focus on the latest in diesel technology.

Voting has ended. The 2011 Diesel Car of the Year will be announced shortly.

Diesel Economics 101

Jonathan Spira — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:40:20 +0000

Diesel (as well as gasoline-electric hybrid) automobiles are typically sold at a higher price point than their petrol-only counterparts with the difference typically being several thousand dollars.

For example, the BMW 335d’s list price is $43,950 while a similarly-equipped 335i is $41,975. The diesel-powered BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (BMW parlance for SUV) has a sticker price of $51,300, while its petrol equivalent costs $47,600.

The price-leading Volkswagen Jetta TDI is $22,830 while the entry-level Jetta is a mere $17,775. The Audi Q7 TDI lists for $50,900 (petrol version $46,900), making the Audi A3 TDI a relative bargain at $29,950, only $1200 more than the gasoline version. Mercedes-Benz sells its diesel ML350 SUV at a $4000 premium over the $45,700 petrol version but, in the GL-Class, the diesel GL350 is actually the price leader at $59,950, while the larger displacement petrol version starts at $60,950.

In the hybrid world, the Honda Civic sedan starts at $15,665 while the Honda Civic Hybrid starts out with an $8145 higher price tag, although the hybrid model does include more standard equipment.

It’s clear that, for most of these vehicles, drivers would need a decade or more of 15,000-mile annual driving before seeing any savings.

As a result, sales of diesel-powered automobiles remained tiny compared to their petrol brethren. When BMW launched the diesel X5 in December 2008, the percentage of buyers choosing the diesel powerplant remained in the single digits.

That is, until last July, when BMW’s Eco Credit arrived.

According to Dave Buchko, manager of Advanced Powertrain communications at BMW of North America, the pricing for diesels wasn’t arbitrary. Rather, it was based on how much more the car – with diesel powerplant – was going to cost.

A diesel engine, compared to its petrol equivalent, is more expensive given the level of technology in the engine. It runs at much higher pressures, requires more robust components and, in the United States, needs additional emissions controls.

In addition, BMW put a great deal of thought and effort into reengineering the 335d for the U.S. market. Engineers repositioned rocker arms in the engine to make it quieter (an improvement that eventually made its way to non-U.S. engines) and moved the catalytic converters closer to the exhaust manifold so they can heat up faster.

While European engines have particulate traps, only the U.S. version has the urea system that scrubs the exhaust. In addition, U.S. cars have more sound deadening material, resulting in reduced noise levels, and auxiliary heating, to allow the interior to warm up faster (diesels don’t run as warm as gasoline engines and many drivers still remember how long it took the interiors of 1970s and 80s Mercedes and Volkswagen diesels to warm to a comfortable level).

Of course, what no one could predict was where the U.S. diesel market was heading and what buyers were prepared to pay.

What BMW and other automakers found out is that, especially with lower fuel prices, only a handful of individuals were willing to pay a premium for a diesel.

Enter the Eco Credit. Timed to start with the launch for the U.S. government’s cash-for-clunkers program, BMW offered buyers of its diesel-powered automobiles a $4500 credit starting in July 2009. Indeed, according to Buchko, the amount of the credit was partially influenced by the cash-for-clunkers rebates.

Since the Eco Credit started, BMW’s diesel sales have climbed significantly. Diesel-powered X5s reached 25% of all X5 sales last November and 33% in December. 3er Series diesel sales hit a high of 366 units in December. Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen are also reporting significant increases for their diesel lines.

In Europe, over 50% of new car registrations are for diesel-powered autos. However, despite the recent gains in the U.S., the U.S. figure remains in the single digits. But change is on the horizon. The 2009 and 2010 Green Car of the Year awards went to diesels whereas earlier recipients were all hybrids. Indeed, with the 335d, BMW has demonstrated that a diesel (with 425 pound-feet of torque) can appeal to enthusiasts as well as eco-conscious consumers.

With the Eco Credit, which BMW has no immediate plans to eliminate, the 335d actually costs $2225 less than the petrol-powered 335i before the IRS tax credit of $900 is even considered. Better fuel economy, lower emissions, massive torque – who could turn down a deal like this?