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BMW's Advanced Diesel Vehicles
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Visit the 2009 BMW Research Center
BMW will launch the 2009 BMW 335d (top) and X5 xDrive35d (bottom) with its latest Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance technology. (European models shown)
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Diesel Power – 2009 BMW 335d and X5 xDrive35d
Trying to capture the increasing market for diesel-powered car shoppers, BMW plans to introduce two clean diesel cars of its own. For 2009, BMW will launch the 335d sedan, as well as a diesel version of its popular X5 sport activity vehicle, which will be called the xDrive35d. Both vehicles will use BMW’s latest Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance technology and represents another step in the company’s EfficientDynamics initiative that aims to improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions across BMW’s vehicle lineup. BMW claims that its new diesels have engines that perform like a V-8 but have the efficiency of a four-cylinder.
| In an effort to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy, BMW is set to launch the diesel-powered 335d sedan and X5 xDrive35d.
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The additions of both of these vehicles into BMW’s lineup will add to the growing list of diesel-powered passenger cars in the United States that currently includes the Volkswagen TDI duo of the Jetta sedan and Jetta SportWagen and the Mercedes-Benz BLUE TEC vehicles – the GL320, R320 and ML320. Living up to its promise of providing the ultimate driving machine, both of the diesel BMWs will offer twin-turbo 3.0-liter I-6 under the hood rated at 265 horsepower and a whopping 425 lb-ft of torque at just 1,750 rpm.
Neither vehicle has been rated by the EPA for fuel economy estimates, but BMW’s preliminary estimates claim that the 2009 335d will get 36 miles per gallon on the highway (up from 26 mpg on the 335i) and the 2009 X5 xDrive35d will get 26 mpg on the highway (up from 21 mpg on the X5 xDrive30i). Expected range of both vehicles is expected to be close to 600 miles for both vehicles. The U.S.-spec versions of the 2009 BMW 335d and BMW X5 xDrive35d will debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.
Pricing for the 335d sedan will start at $44,725, while the diesel X5 will start at $52,025 (both including destination and handling charges). Like other diesel-powered vehicles currently on the market, both BMWs will be eligible for the IRS Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as Advanced Lean Burn Technology Vehicles. The 2009 BMW 335d sedan is expected to qualify for a maximum tax of $ 900, while the 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d is expected to qualify for a maximum tax credit of $1,550.
By: Jeffrey N. Ross, Autotropolis Editor
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