Triple Turbo Diesel M5

[JPolen01]

Have any of you BMW guys heard about this yet? (Flame suit on if I am light yearz behind)

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BMW Confirms Diesel-M, High-Performance Engine to Find Numerous Other Applications

BMW's new M5 will soon get a diesel-powered companion, this one using a triple-turbo diesel, the first oil-burner to bear the vaunted "M" badge.

BMW will introduce a new high-performance diesel-powered 5-Series model next spring that will expand the German makerÔÇÖs vaunted M division, TheDetroitBureau.com has confirmed, with the triple-turbo V-8 oil-burner set to also be used in a variety of other BMW products, likely including its X-series sport-activity vehicles.

Rumors of the diesel M have been circulating for several weeks, but TheDetroitBureau.com has confirmed details with a variety of BMW sources who say the maker wants to prove out the potential of the high-mileage technology ÔÇô taking advantage of a variety of new technologies, including the unusual triple-turbocharging system meant to eliminate even the most minor turbo lag.


The new model is likely to get the unusual designation of either BMW 550dM or 550dXM, the latter referring to its all-wheel-drive system. With rare exception, most models produced by the Bavarian makerÔÇÖs performance sub-brand flash the vaunted ÔÇ£MÔÇØ first and foremost. But the alternative nomenclature would reflect the unusual powertrain under the hood of the 5-Series BMW.

The 3.0-liter straight-six diesel will use a small turbo to instantly build boost for launch, two larger twin-scroll turbochargers then spooling up for higher-speed performance. The basic engine is the same as the current BMW 3.0-liter diesel but with significant modifications, including a new cylinder head. It will make use of a variety of advanced technologies, including direct injection and BMWÔÇÖs Valvetronic system, designed to optimize the function of intake and exhaust engine valves.

Sources tell TheDetroitBureau.com that the 550dM will deliver slightly less horsepower than the new gas-powered BMW M5, which makes 560 ponies. Final numbers will likely be in the 500 to 550 range. Torque, meanwhile, will well exceed the 500 lb-ft of the new M5, and could push north of 650 lb-ft.

To handle those tire-spinning forces, ÔÇ£You have to go to all-wheel-drive,ÔÇØ explained one senior BMW official, ÔÇ£otherwise youÔÇÖll be spinning your tires all day.ÔÇØ

(For a first look at the next-gen BMW M5, Click Here.)

While several makers have demonstrated the potential for diesel power on the track, the move to put it into a high-performance street car is a significant breakthrough. Mercedes-Benz briefly offered a diesel model wearing its AMG badge but that lasted only a year on the market. BMW has long considered the option but it took several significant developments for the companyÔÇÖs comfort level to reach the necessary threshold.

ÔÇ£Diesel technology has come a long way in the last five years,ÔÇØ said one BMW executive, adding that the maker also had to be certain buyers would be able to get the necessary quality of diesel fuel in any market ÔÇô notably including the U.S. ÔÇô where the 550dM will be sold.

For the record, M brand global marketing manager Brian Watts confirmed only that the maker is looking at a diesel M car because it ÔÇ£certainly has some interesting potential.ÔÇØ He stressed that the review is ÔÇ£not finished.ÔÇØ But other insiders said only the final details, such as performance specifications ÔÇô and the final brand nomenclature ÔÇô have yet to be firmed up, with the new diesel muscle car due for a reveal next spring, very likely with an unveiling at a major auto show like the Geneva Motor Show.

The engine is intended to find applications beyond the 5-series M edition, sources agree. It is designed to fit in a variety of additional BMW products and would most likely show up next in one or more of the makerÔÇÖs X-Series Sport-Activity Vehicles, such as the X5 or X6. But a version of the 550d engine might also be melded with the makerÔÇÖs flagship 7-Series sedan ÔÇ£a year or more later,ÔÇØ said a source.

BMW officials say they hope to steal a march on competitors ÔÇô but, said one, ÔÇ£I expect to see others follow,ÔÇØ a reference to both Mercedes and Audi. The executive said he was particularly surprised that the latter German brand had not moved into the diesel performance segment more quickly, as it would play off AudiÔÇÖs link to diesel power. The maker has dominated the Le Mans endurance series for much of the past decade with its various diesel-powered race cars.

[CaptainHenreh]

Three turbos. It's one more better than two.

And correct me if I am wrong but,

To handle those tire-spinning forces, ÔÇ£You have to go to all-wheel-drive,ÔÇØ explained one senior BMW official, ÔÇ£otherwise youÔÇÖll be spinning your tires all day.ÔÇØ

Isn't that kind of, you know, the idea?

[BLINGMW]

OMG all I want is the simple diesel 2L that they've been making since 2007. They're laughing at me. :vomit:

[Evan]

thankfully, not a M5. An "M tuned" Deisel 5 series.

Call me old fashioned but I dont think deisel belongs on a sports car

[D_Eclipse9916]

thankfully, not a M5. An "M tuned" Deisel 5 series.

Call me old fashioned but I dont think deisel belongs on a sports car

Call me old fashioned but I dont like turbocharged M cars. Way to ruin a practical track platform.

[.RJ]

Way to ruin a practical track platform.

:lol:

[Steve85]

BMW officials say they hope to steal a march on competitors ÔÇô but, said one, ÔÇ£I expect to see others follow,ÔÇØ a reference to both Mercedes and Audi. The executive said he was particularly surprised that the latter German brand had not moved into the diesel performance segment more quickly, as it would play off AudiÔÇÖs link to diesel power. The maker has dominated the Le Mans endurance series for much of the past decade with its various diesel-powered race cars.

Call me old fashioned but I dont think deisel belongs on a sports car

And I think market research done by Audi would agree. No reason other than "luk at ze numbers, it von't ZELL" to not bring that technology to market. Even the new ad is about the lightweight technology and not about the diesel performance. I mean, even if they do it next year, waiting 10 years is a sign.

[JustinG]

I dont really understand why they left the V8, can get the same power numbers as the V10, takes up less room, which one would assume means its lighter, simpler, etc etc etc.... :dunno:

If your buying a new M5, im pretty sure MPG/Gas prices are not really at the top of your concerns.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Way to ruin a practical track platform.

:lol:

Moar referring to the next M3 that is twin turbo six, and the current 1m that is a turbo six.

[SlimKlim]

I think its kind of cool that they are bringing back the M tuned nomenclature, a nice throwback to the old M535i. However calling it a 550dM is stupid when its only a 6er in there. I'd rather see it as an M535d.

Other than that I think its kind of cool, mondo performance numbers with 6 cylinder diesel fuel economy, not to mention, imagine what's going to happen when Dinan and Alpina get their hands on it and tune it to have 800ft/lbs of torque.

I read the article quick, but I dont remember them talking about a transmission. Judging from how the 335d is sold, a two pedal something or other is going to be the only choice for that car, which is almost more of a shame than making it AWD. I'd almost still want one if I could have it with a clutch pedal, but the combination of AWD and a grannytranny in an "M" car is too much for my purist little heart to bear. I still think its kinda cool, I just don't have a burning desire to own one like I do a 1M, or an E92 M3, or an E46 M3, or a Z4 M coupe, or an E39 M5, or a new M5...









... Or an E28, E34, E30, or E24 M.

[ScottyB]

Call me old fashioned but I dont think deisel belongs on a sports car

Call me old fashioned but I dont like turbocharged M cars. Way to ruin a practical track platform.

call me old fashioned, but an AWD deisel "M" car that weighs probably close to 4000 lbs. doesn't even sound like a BMW anymore. Porsche makes the 911 work after all these decades, why can't BMW just make M-Division stick to big N/A power, RWD, and cars only? gotta keep making the stock go up, i guess.

so are you going to have to fill up that catalyst tank with urethra or purina or whatever the hell that liquid is so it can pass emissions, ala the 335D?

[Evan]

hahah the piss tank! i forgot about that one