Photo: motortrend
The recent diesel offensive BMW is pushing in the US is not panning out as expected. In a recent interview, BMW USA Chief, Ludwig Willisch said that in certain segments, the numbers have been rather disappointing.
BMW went as far as to change their naming scheme only to attract more customers to the diesel side of things. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as expected and the 3 Series and 5 Series models offered with oil burners are not the most popular choices.
In the 3 Series range, the Germans are offering the rebadged 328d model in both Sedan and Sport Wagon guises and with optional all-wheel-drive. Just like the European counterpart, the 320d, this car uses a 2-liter I4 turbocharged engine making 184 HP and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque.
The 5 Series range offers a bigger powerplant on the sedan alone, also with a rebadged nameplate. The 535d model sold here is actually the European 530d, using a 3-liter turbocharged diesel engine making 258 HP and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque, with an inline 6-cylinder architecture.
Even though the two are fuel efficiency champions, the Americans are still reluctant towards changing sides. According to Willisch, the sales are extremely low and really don’t encourage the manufacturer to bring more such options in the US.
The only segment where diesels are doing ok is the SUV one. The diesel X3 xDrive28d uses the same powerplant as the 328d and the added torque really makes a difference here, as the car’s a bit on the heavier side. This particular model is selling quite ok in the US with the F15 xDrive35d X5 expected to pick up the pace as well.
In the 3 Series range, the Germans are offering the rebadged 328d model in both Sedan and Sport Wagon guises and with optional all-wheel-drive. Just like the European counterpart, the 320d, this car uses a 2-liter I4 turbocharged engine making 184 HP and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque.
The 5 Series range offers a bigger powerplant on the sedan alone, also with a rebadged nameplate. The 535d model sold here is actually the European 530d, using a 3-liter turbocharged diesel engine making 258 HP and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque, with an inline 6-cylinder architecture.
Even though the two are fuel efficiency champions, the Americans are still reluctant towards changing sides. According to Willisch, the sales are extremely low and really don’t encourage the manufacturer to bring more such options in the US.
The only segment where diesels are doing ok is the SUV one. The diesel X3 xDrive28d uses the same powerplant as the 328d and the added torque really makes a difference here, as the car’s a bit on the heavier side. This particular model is selling quite ok in the US with the F15 xDrive35d X5 expected to pick up the pace as well.
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