Diesel performance Beamers? Yes, really!

This may come as something of a shock to BMW performance purists but BMW has launched a line-up of performance cars powered by diesel. The good news is that emissions are down and fuel consumption is comparatively miserly for cars that are designed to fly like the proverbial off a shovel. Top speed for all models in the range is 155mph

Let's take a peek at the specs and see if diesel is the way forward for this special breed of motor.

Most potent is the M550d xDrive Sedan going from 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds. Fuel consumption is 44.8mpg and CO2 emissions are 165g/km. OK, so it's not a Prius but that's still pretty good indeed.

The M550d xDrive Touring does 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds. Emissions are at 169g/km and fuel consumption is 44.1mpg. Both xDrive models reach EU6 standards.

Turning our attention to the soccer taxi with grunt, the X5 M50d does the 0-62mph sprint in 5.4 seconds, which will speed up the school run no doubt. Fuel economy is 37.7mpg and emissions are 199g/km.

The X6 M50d is a tad quicker doing 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds. This time, fuel consumption is 36.7mpg and CO2 emissions are 204g/km.

The diesel engines have six cylinders and three, count 'em, three turbo chargers with 381bhp and 546 lb-ft of torque which is achieved at just 2,000rpm. The engines are mated to eight-speed automatic gearboxes and an intelligent all-wheel drive system which has been fine-tuned to suit each model by the boffins at BMW M GmbH. There are paddle shifters on the steering wheel so you can imagine you're behind the wheel at a grand prix.

Each model has specific body features to optimise the supply of cool air to the engine and keep things aerodynamic. There are 19-inch light-alloy wheels on all models except the X6 M50d which gets 20-inch alloys.

Once we get behind the wheel of these new kids on the performance car block, we'll let you know if diesel really does make a difference when you want to fang it like Fangio.

www.bmw.co.uk




















By Georgia Lewis

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