Will diesels ever give hybrids a run for their money? That's the question hanging in the air at the Los Angeles Auto Show as yet another German automaker tries to sell the allure of great torque, fantastic range and high mileage with compression-ignition technology. The BMW 335d is the first new diesel in years from BMW in the U.S., and it showcases a new look for the automaker's venerable 3-Series.
The new exterior styling gives the 3 Series a more aggressive overall appearance, highlighted by a revamped face with new headlights. Creases in the hood give the car a more ominous presence when viewed head-on, while new taillights and a wider rear track enhance the sedan's sporty look. Inside, the changes include an iDrive multi-function controller that's much easier to operate with direct-select keys.
But the big story here isn't the reshaped hood, it's what's underneath: BMW's sequential twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 diesel. Like the story with most of today's clean diesels, this one exhibits excellent performance (gobs of low-end torque) and exceptional fuel economy. The aluminum-block powerplant, equipped with high-pressure piezoelectric injectors (also a feature of BMW's twin-turbo gasoline engines), produces 265 bhp at 3200 rpm and 425 lb.-ft. of torque at a low 1750. This translates to a 0–60-mph time of 6.0 sec. and a top speed of 131 mph, according to BMW. More important, the 335d achieves astounding EPA figures of 23 mpg city/36 mpg highway, which puts it in the same fuel-economy league as many of today's subcompacts.
Like most diesels sold in America, the 335d requires urea injection. Automatically injected into the exhaust system, urea drastically reduces NOX emissions, allowing the 335d to comply with the emissions standards in all 50 states. With the 335d, owners will be required to refill the urea tank every 15,000 miles. While some may consider that a pain, BMW contends that it's no big deal because it coincides with recommended oil change intervals, and it's covered by the company's free maintenance program for the first four years or 50,000 miles. So what if you ignore the urea? A warning on the dash will be followed by not being able to start the car.
As impressive as the 335d is, it won't likely become the company's best-selling model in the U.S. anytime soon. But it does make a powerful argument for diesels in America.
