BMW Diesel M Car Confirmed (Almost)
M-tuned 5-series diesel looks to be a 'racing cert'
BMW seems almost certain to introduce an M-tweaked 5-series diesel within the next 12 months - possibly as soon as the Geneva motor show in March next year.
As we reported last week, there have been whispers for a while that BMW's new tri-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six diesel will be dropped into an M-treated 5-series.
Now, BMW's global marketing manager for M cars, Brian Watts, has all-but-confirmed the car's existence, telling The Detroit Bureau that the project is 'under consideration' but hasn't been confirmed.
That sounds to us like marketing-speak for 'yes, it's coming, but we're not ready to tell you about it yet'.
As for the nitty-gritty of the car, while nothing's confirmed there, we expect a power output in the region of 400bhp, with torque of up to 650lb ft.
This heavy torque output could mean that BMW plumps for four-wheel drive, a theory that is backed up by the M550dX moniker spotted in our previous story.
It's also unlikely to be a 'full-on' M car; BMW knows its market and won't risk compromising the perceived purity of the brand, so expect this to be a halfway-house between a full-on M model and an M Sport spec. And M car purists shouldn't worry too much either - the V8 petrol-powered M5 is still on its way...
So, a four-wheel-drive diesel M car, eh? Sacrilege or a step forward? We'll let you decide that one (and we suspect you'll have a lot to say about it)...
Basically that. They once said M cars would never use forced induction, four wheel drive or automatic transmissions. They do now. It's progress and what the market seems to want.
(By "the market", I'm referring to the people who actually buy these things new, rather than the armchair enthusiast pining for outmoded technology)
Estate for luggage - tick
Four wheel drive - tick
Diesel for economy - tick
Chassis for mountain roads - tick
Enough oomph for overtaking - tick
I've only seen one petrol F10 since they were launched and that was a JRG 550i SE strangely. Every other new 5er has been a 520d.
The times they are a changing.
What if the tax rules change?
I'm sure plenty would prefer a 530d or something, but they get screwed on co car tax, which is the real deterrent.
Come resale of the stock, I bet 530d's would retain more value for feeding into the 2nd hand private market, than base spec 520d's too.
Not saying you are wrong. Times are changing, but it's the tax strategy forcing the changes. I'm sure most people would actually pay a bit more on fuel to have a nicer car, but not more on fuel AND more on co car tax etc.
Dave
I've only seen one petrol F10 since they were launched and that was a JRG 550i SE strangely. Every other new 5er has been a 520d.
The times they are a changing.
What if the tax rules change?
I'm sure plenty would prefer a 530d or something, but they get screwed on co car tax, which is the real deterrent.
Come resale of the stock, I bet 530d's would retain more value for feeding into the 2nd hand private market, than base spec 520d's too.
Not saying you are wrong. Times are changing, but it's the tax strategy forcing the changes. I'm sure most people would actually pay a bit more on fuel to have a nicer car, but not more on fuel AND more on co car tax etc.
Dave
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