BMW 3 Series Diesel Axed
BMW will be ridding its lineup of the 335d, a decision that is rational from a business point of view, but upsetting to anyone who has driven BMW’s diesel offerings.
According to reports, BMW will retire the diesel engine 3 Series in favor of its new fuel efficient line-up of gasoline engines as well as a hybrid system. The 335d is rated at 23/36 mpg city/highway which has been the most fuel efficient 3 series for some time now. For 2012, BMW has introduced the 328i with a four cylinder 2.0L turbocharged motor which garners a 23/34 mpg city/highway rating showing up the diesel engines ratings. While the gasoline engine does take a bit of hit in horsepower compared to the diesel, 25 hp to be exact, it seems that BMW believes that in today’s market no one would buy a diesel unless the fuel economy numbers are rated higher than a comparable gas engine.
Later this year BMW will release its ActiveHybrid 3, which is expected to have a combined fuel economy rating of 36 mpg and put out 335 hp. Once again beating out the diesel in both fuel consumption numbers and power it seems that BMW’s decision to rid the 3 series lineup of a diesel offering is a sensible one.
While it’s unfortunate that BMW will be getting of rid of the 335d, the company does offer other smaller diesel engines to its European market, which just might find their way into North America one day.
[Source: Auto123]
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
More by Stephen Elmer
Comments
Join the conversation
It's not just about fuel efficiency. Even if the same as gas, there are no tune ups required and they always pass the emission control tests which come up every 2 years and can cost hundreds if the test fails. Add this to the usually cheaper price of diesel and there is no excuse to kill the line. Only excuse I can see is pressure from the oil companies and the service centres that won't be seeing your diesel vehicle as often as they do a gas powered one.
diesel is 10% more in the US on average.