The Diesel Driver » BMW

2012 BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition (F30) – First Drive and Review

Christian Stampfer — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:46:17 +0000

In 1975, BMW introduced the 3 Series, a model that has consistently set the standard for sports sedans. The 3er was introduced as the successor to the BMW Neue Klasse (BMW New Class), which included the BMW 1602 and 2002, among other models. Together with the 5 Series, which replaced the New Six (the 2500, 2800, and Bavaria models), a new era in the automobile history of the BMW Group had begun.

The BMW 3 Series became the backbone and heart of the BMW car production. Indeed, more than 12.5 million units have been sold since the market launch in 1975.

On 14 October 2011, the all-new 3 Series was unveiled and celebrated its world debut at the BMW plant in Munich. The official premiere was consciously held in Munich because, for the first time the BMW Munich plant is able to manufacture every possible configuration of the new 3er including right-hand drive cars. The experiences and the knowledge during the production process of the new car will be passed on to other production sites of the BMW Group, such as Rosslyn (South Africa) or Shenyang (China), where the new 3er will be manufactured or assembled as well.

At the end of the year, I had the opportunity to test drive a pre-production type of the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition. The only difference between a pre-production model and a standard model is the higher amount of manual labor performed by employees instead of robots.

Since I was only had time to drive the car for about 50 km (31 miles,) the driving experience was somewhat limited. But what I saw in terms of fuel consumption, ride comfort, and handling was very promising indeed.

After a drive on the Autobahn for 20 km (12.4 miles), where the 320d showed excellent pulling power, I switched onto a country road for the last 30 km (18.6 miles). After I left the Autobahn, I immediately changed the driving mode to ECO PRO (a new high-efficiency mode) for maximum fuel economy.

The new cabin continues the BMW tradition of a driver-oriented cockpit and was very comfortable. There was very little engine noise audible.

Fuel economy was excellent and the the new ZF eight-speed automatic plays a big role here. In my non-Autobahn driving, it selected the second highest gear while I was driving at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). For my somewhat spirited 50 km drive, my fuel economy was very impressive 5.5 l/100 km (42 mpg).

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Engine and Drivetrain plus Infotainment and Safety Features

2011 Diesel Sales Report: Market Share in Germany Hit 49%

Christian Stampfer — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:30:31 +0000

It’s common knowledge that the market share for diesel is in the low single digits in the U.S. Currently, only four manufacturers, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen currently offer diesel-powered automobiles although there will be several automakers joining the diesel fold, including Jeep, Mazda, and Porsche, in the coming 18 months.

In Germany, the picture was quite different in 2011. Overall, looking at new car registration figures from the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA or German Federal Motor and Transport Authority) and manufacturer-provided sales data covering Audi, BMW, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Seat, Škoda, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo, diesel sales were 48.71% of total new car sales.

Complete charts with data by manufacturer and segment may be found on page two of this article.

Looking at specific categories, such as compact cars or SUVs, is even more interesting.

In compact car sales, the Volkswagen Golf/Jetta line was the diesel market leader with 105,786 units sold. Percentage wise, the Peugeot 308 (not sold in the U.S.) led with 60.24% of buyers choosing the oil burner. The Škoda Octavia was close behind, with 59.05% of buyers going diesel.     43.65% of buyers opted for diesel in this segment overall.

In the smaller mid-sized segment, the Volkswagen Passat (the European model, which differs from the U.S.-specific Passat) led in volume in diesel sales with 86,291 sold. In terms of the diesel take rate, the low-volume Volvo V50 led the way, with 95% of buyers going diesel. The overall take rate for this group, which includes the Audi A4/A5, BMW 3er, and Peugeot 508, was an impressive 74.58%.

In the larger mid-sized segment, the BMW 5 Series was the diesel take-rate leader at 89.86%. It was also the volume leader in a group that includes the Audi A6 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This category’s overall take rate was 85.83%.

For large luxury sedans, the BMW 7er was the diesel volume leader with 4,242 units sold. The Volkswagen Phaeton (not currently available in the U.S.) was the take-rate leader, with 89..03% of buyers choosing compression ignition. The overall diesel take rate for luxury sedans was 67.22%.

Finally, in the SUV category, the Volkswagen Tiguan (not available as a diesel in the U.S.) led the pack with 31,271 units sold. Two low-volume Land Rovers, the Discovery and Freelander, led in diesel take rate with 99.7% and 99.54% respectively. All three Mercedes-Benz SUVs (the GLK, ML-Class, and R-Class, as well as two BMW SUVs (the BMW X3 and X5), also had take rates in the 90s, as did the Ford Kuga and the Volvo XC60.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Charts and Data By Manufacturer and Segment

BMW M Performance Diesel Automobiles Announced

Christian Stampfer — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:13:41 +0000

BMW announced a new model category for the forthcoming M diesel cars. The BMW M Performance Automobiles is closely attached to the BMW M GmbH and will offer a selection of performance oriented cars. “We are targeting our efforts at customers looking for more emotionality and more performance, but who don’t want to lose the everyday usability of their cars,” said Dr. Friedrich Nitschke, President of BMW M GmbH.

The history of the BMW M Performance Automobiles can be found in the BMW M535i and M635i which were unveiled in the 1980s. BMW intends to revive and to continue the success of these models. Diesel and petrol variants are both on the roadmap and the intelligent BMW xDrive will play a key role in the new car segment according to BMW.

The launch of the first M Performance car is scheduled for the International Geneva Motor Show in March 2012. The BMW X6 M550d is likely to be the star at the BMW exhibition floor. First details and a video of the car were leaked at the beginning of December. The 3.0-liter diesel engine is equipped with three turbochargers and develops a total power output of 375 hp (280 kW) and 516 pound-feet (700 Nm) of torque. Figures on fuel economy and CO2 emissions are not yet available.

Further models for every single category of the BMW brand could be possible. In the BMW community, BMW M550d, M135i, M750d and M650ds are rumored to be on the horizon.

BMW Delivers First ActiveE Electric Vehicle

Paul Riegler — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:44:12 +0000

In 2009, Tom and Meredith Moloughney took delivery of a Mini E, an electric car that is part of BMW’s Project i program and that was available to private owners in a field trial that started in 2009. Today, at BMW’s U.S. headquarters in New Jersey, they became the firs retail customer to take delivery of the all-electric BMW ActiveE coupe, also a part of the Project i program under which BMW is developing urban- and eco-friendly vehicles..

The BMW ActiveE is outwardly similar to the BMW 1 Series Coupe and is built at the BMW Werk Leipzig.    The heart of the ActiveE is a permanent-magnet synchronous motor that develops 170 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. It can go from zero to 60 mph in under nine seconds and its range is 100 miles (160 km) on a full charge of its newly-developed lithium-ion batteries. The entire power pack – including power electronics and transmission with differential – is integrated into the car’s modified rear-axle support.

BMW refers to its ActiveE customers as Electronauts and BMW will deliver ActiveEs to 699 additional Electronauts in the coming weeks. The ActiveE is being offered in Boston, Hartford, Los Angeles, New York City, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco for $499 per month for a 24-month lease, with a down payment of $2,250.

The ActiveE has a special Eco Pro Mode that provides increased range. By throwing a switch, the vehicle’s characteristics are changed. The accelerator will deliver less power and the heating and air conditioning systems will use less energy. The system also provides the driver with additional tips on how to drive in the most energy-efficient manner.

The eDrive display replaces the tachometer on the instrument cluster and displays the amount of energy being taken from the battery or the current amount being supplied to it through recuperation. The needle will rest in the middle position when the car is not moving, indicating that the vehicle is ready to drive, presuming the battery is charged sufficiently. The car’s on-board computer displays the remaining vehicle range.

On the car’s Central Information Display (CID), eDrive displays vehicle energy flow using an active schematic representation of the vehicle to do so. The driver can view the CID in split-screen mode with route guidance or infotainment information on one side.

The Moloughneys drove their Mini E over 72,500 miles in 30 months. “Calling the Moloughneys ‘Pioneers’ is very appropriate because they have shown the world that an electric vehicle can absolutely serve one’s daily driving needs without compromise,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America. “We are pleased that Tom and Meredith have agreed to stay with us on this journey.”

Audi Adds A8 TDI Diesel To U.S. Lineup

Paul Riegler — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:58:54 +0000

Audi will offer an A8 diesel sedan later this year, the company announced at the North American International Motor Show in Detroit. The Ingoldstadt-based automaker also announced a supercharged V-6 petrol model, the A8 3.0T.

The 2013 Audi A8 TDI will come with the turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that develops 225 hp and 406 pound-feet of torque in the Audi Q7.

The A8 will become the second full-sized luxury sedan available in the U.S., alongside the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec, and leaves BMW as the only premium German automaker without a full-sized diesel sedan.

The A8 diesel will have similar standard and optional equipment to the current V-8 powered A8 4.2, which starts at $78,750. The Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec starts at $92,550.

EPA fuel economy for the S-Klasse is 20 mpg (11.76 l/100 km) in the city and 31 mpg (7.58 l/100 km) on the highway.

It will be interesting to see what the EPA rating for the Audi A8 TDI will be. In the EU cycle, the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec sold in Germany used 10.1 l/100 km (23.28 mpg) in the city and 5.9 l/100 km (39.86 mpg) on the highway. The German Audi A8 TDI used 7.4 l/100 km (31.78 mpg) in the city and 6.0 l/100 km (39.2 mpg) on the highway. While the two cars are comparable in highway fuel economy, the Audi used roughly 25% less fuel in town.

Start-stop technology will be standard on the new Audi diesel and it will be available with the optional Audi connect infotainment system which incorporates Google Earth maps and real-time SiriusXM traffic information, localized weather, news, real-time fuel prices, Google Local Search, support for Google Send to Car via the myAudi Destination feature, and an in-vehicle hotspot that supports up to eight Wi-Fi devices.

Cadillac Announces ATS Diesel

Paul Riegler — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:18:52 +0000

At an unveiling at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies, Cadillac unveiled the 2013 ATS sedan, and confirmed that a diesel version will be offered, although timing for that was not announced.

The ATS is built on a new, rear-wheel-drive platform and is eight inches shorter than the Cadillac CTS. It continues the automaker’s Art & Science design language with a mixture of angular lines and flat surfaces. It has 50/50 weight distribution and uses GM’s Magnetic Ride Control.

Cadillac sees the ATS as a competitor for the BMW 3er Series and the Audi A4. At the launch, Mark Reuss, GM’s North American President, said that the new sedan will be “the most mass-efficient car in the segment.”

Three engines will be offered for 2013. The base engine is a 2.5-liter I-4, developing 200 hp and 188 pound-feet of torque. Optional are a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 and turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or automatic. Both rear- and all-wheel-drive will be available.

Cadillac was the first U.S. automaker to offer a diesel back in the late 70s but the 5.7-liter V-8 engines suffered from poor reliability and tarnished the reputation of diesels for generations to come.

Your Favorite Articles in The Diesel Driver in 2011

Paul Riegler — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:08:53 +0000

As the year draws to a close, here’s a look at the ten most popular articles in The Diesel Driver in 2011. The rankings are based on reader popularity, shares via Facebook and other social media, and e-mail forwards.

The stories range from the first in-depth review of the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI to ongoing reports on our BMW 335d long-term test car, to a preview of the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec.

Enjoy the retrospective.

1.)        2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI – Review and First Drive/Road Test
Our review of two days with the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI at its June launch in Chattanooga

2.)        2011 Volkswagen Jetta – First Review
Join us at the launch of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta TDI in San Francisco and spend two days driving in Northern California with us.

3.)        BMW 335d Three-Month Test Report and Review
Our first three months with our BMW 335d long-term test car, starting with delivery at the BMW Welt and an in-depth look at its great fuel economy, superb handling, and road manners.

4.)        2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Review and Road Test
We spend a week with the new Touareg, learn to pronounce the name (it’s “twah-reg”), and begin to understand why so many Touareg buyers opt for the diesel version.

5.)        2012 Diesel Car Lineup in the U.S. – What’s New
A look at what’s new in 2012, including the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec and the Volkswagen Passat TDI.

6.)        BMW 335d 12-Month Report and Review
Like a good novel, readers flocked to see how the BMW 335d fared after 12 months and 10,000 km.

7.)        2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI – Review and Test Drive
A week with Volkswagen’s Jetta SportWagen TDI – 80% of JSW buyers go diesel!

8.)        2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec Diesel Review and First Look
A week with the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec prior to its launch – and a drive from New York City to Boston and back using only half a tank – helped firm up our decision to add the E-Klasse to our long-term test fleet

9.)        2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec First Look and Review
Our review of the new ML Class diesel at its launch in Montana’s rugged outback

10.)      2011 BMW X3 Review and Road Test – The Road to Berchtesgaden
We drive the new BMW X3 xDrive20d to Berchtesgaden to take in the views.

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.

First Look: BMW ActiveHybrid 5

Christian Stampfer — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:00:21 +0000

Finally, a BMW Hybrid for the Masses

Last month, the all-new BMW AcitveHybrid 5 celebrated its world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. BMW already offers the ActiveHybrid 7, a mild hybrid, and the ActiveHybrid X6, a full-hybrid , but the sales figures of both vehicles are below BMW´s original expectations.

With the introduction of the intelligent hybrid drive for the 5 series, BMW is now offering its hybrid technology to a wider customer base. It’s also offering a hybrid that will meet buyer expectations for fuel economy with consumption of 5.7 l/100 km (41.25 mpg) on the highway and 6.7 l/100 km (35 mpg) in town.

These numbers compare favorably with the ActiveHybrid 7, rated at 13.86 l/100 km (17 mpg) in the city and 9.8 l/100 km (24 mpg) on the highway, and the ActiveHybrid X6, rated 13.86/12.4 (17/19). Indeed, Jonathan Spira noted that the X6 hybrid “makes a great case in favor of the X5 xDrive35d.”

The ActiveHybrid 5 will be the automaker’s second full-hybrid that can attain 60 km/h (37 mph) with no CO2 emissions while driving in an all-electric mode, but it’s the company’s first effort at adding electric power to the highly-refined turbo-charged 3.0-liter inline six.

The hybrid setup places the electric motor in between the TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder petrol engine and a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The electric motor adds 55 hp (40 kW) and 155 pound-feet (210 Nm)of torque and is powered by a 96-cell, 0.68-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that is mounted between the rear wheels.

The combined power output is 340 hp (250 kW) and 332 pound-feet (450 Nm) of torque. This pushes the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 from 0 -100 km/h (0 – 62 mph) in 5.9 seconds. Fuel consumption is between 6.4 to 7.0 l/100 km (36.7 to 33.6 mpg).

Standard (and not unexpected) energy saving features include brake-energy regeneration and engine start-stop that shuts the gasoline engine down when coasting and stopped. Other EfficientDynamics features that are standard on this 5er are air flap control, electric power steering, and tires with reduced rolling resistance. Navigation is standard. 18” Streamline-design alloy wheels (optional) further improve aerodynamics, and the ActiveHybrid 5 badges on the C-pillars do their part as well.

The new ActiveHybrid 5 features Eco Pro, a unique drive mode, which was developed specifically for the vehicle. While BMW’s standard Driving Dynamics Control system allows the driver to choose from Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ settings, which change throttle, transmission, stability control, and suspension appropriately, the ActiveHybrid 5 has a fourth choice, namely, Eco Pro. What Eco Pro does (think of it as the opposite of Sport or Sport+) is to optimize settings for maximum fuel efficiency while making the electric motor do as much of the work as possible. Indeed, in this mode, the engine can shut down while coasting at speeds of up to 160 km/h (100 mph).

To provide the best fuel economy possible, the ActiveHybrid 5’s powertrain uses external information to deliver what BMW calls “intelligent energy management.” This means that information about road conditions and altitude impacts how the car will optimize its use of battery power.

When the ActiveHybrid 5 gets to the U.S. (prices have not yet been released), it will probably not command the $25,000 price premium that the other ActiveHybrids have sought since it will compete with the new Infiniti M Hybrid and the 2013 Lexus GS450h (which has improved fuel-sipping technology over the current GS Hybrid) and Audi’s new A6 Hybrid, all likely to be in the $55-60,000 range. Perhaps this price range isn’t quite for the masses but it’s 40% less than the 7er Hybrid and has newer and better hybrid technology to boot.

BMW Debuts X6 M550d, First Diesel M Car, On Video

Paul Riegler — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:00:31 +0000

BMW released a video, of the forthcoming X6 M550d, the first car from BMW M GmbH that is powered by a diesel engine. The video is called “A new chapter powered by M.”

The tri-turbo 3.0-liter engine develops 375 hp (280 kW) and 516 pound-feet (700 Nm) of torque.

The new engine is said to use two traditional exhaust-blown turbochargers in combination with an electrically-driven turbocharger to boost low-end response.

Last week, details leaked from a BMW dealer conference in the Netherlands indicated that BMW will launch the BMW 550dX with the same tri-turbo engine. It will probably find its way into an X5 xDrive50d as well. 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration is said to be five seconds in the 550dX.