57mpg city/highway 3 series

[tjts1]

Why won't bmw bring this car to the US?

Next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW will be rolling out an extra high mileage Efficient Dynamics Edition of its 320d sedan. Like most European BMWs, this one is powered by a diesel engine that helps it get to 57.36 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined driving cycle with CO2 emissions of just 109 g/km. This new edition of the 320d gets a number of optimizations to reach these lofty numbers. Under the hood is the mid-range 163 hp single turbo version of BMW's 2.0-liter four cylinder diesel. It sends power through a 6-speed manual transmission and the ED edition gets a taller final drive ratio.

It takes less effort to move this 3-series through the air as the body has been lowered and new low drag wheels are fitted, bringing the drag coefficient down to 0.26. Parasitic losses are reduced through the use brake energy regeneration and electric power steering. Even with all the attention to efficiency, the 320d still gets to 62 mph in a very respectable 8.2 seconds. Perhaps if Munich offered up this model to Americans, in addition to the 335d, the company might have more success with diesel vehicles here.

I bet they could sell a lot more of 320d than the 335d if they offered it in the US.

http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/21/frankfurt-preview-2010-bmw-320d-efficient-dynamics-edition-57/

[TexasTerp]

I would love to see the 320d over here! I already love the 335d and the 4 cylinder version would be very fun to drive!

[whiltebeitel]

Honda Civic power in a 3300 lbs BMW. I'm not so sure.

[ayemattyyy]

With plenty of diesel torque... I'm pretty sure.
Matt

[tjts1]

The engine specially conceived for the BMW 320d *EfficientDynamics Edition develops maximum output of 120 kW/163 hp at an engine speed of 3,500–4,200 rpm and peak torque of 360 Newton-metres/265 lb-ft all the way from 1,750 to 3,000 rpm.

What honda civic would that be?

[ACMF74]

Why won't bmw bring this car to the US?

[CorvallisBMW]

Most Americans have an aversion to diesel after the abominations that came out of detroit in the 70s. BMW (and every other car mfgr in the world) doesn't think there would be enough of a market to warrant going through all the US regulations to sell them here.

[z31maniac]

And most people looking for super fuel efficient cars don't have the money to pony up to a BMW.

[CorvallisBMW]

And most people looking for super fuel efficient cars don't have the money to pony up to a BMW.

What makes you say that? I disagree. Look at the people that run out and buy prius's and such, they're not exactly poor...

[87e30]

What honda civic would that be?

Civic SI's have 200hp.

[M5wanaB]

Im sure you can get a chip to get these up to 190hp then you basically have stock E30 power to weight.

[whiltebeitel]

So it would take a chip to be as fast as a Jetta TDI? That's what I'm getting at. I think it's cool, but it wouldn't sell.

[CorvallisBMW]

Civic SI's have 200hp.

and like 12 ft-lbs...

[hoveringuy]

Every time I went on det to Italy I had a diesel car. Usually a Renault or similar. They "only" had 120 or so HP but those things moved!

Until you drive a diesel you don't appreciate how much torque they have.

[RainierHooker]

The reason for BMW not importing this car, that I read a while back is that the problem is with our diesel. Our 'low sulfur' diesel is rediculously higher in sulfur than European diesel. The current euro-diesels use urea-filters to clean the sulfur out of exhaust gasses and with our diesel we would be changing out our urea at a nauseating rate. Owners would have their cars perpetually at the dealer for fluid changes. Couple this with BMW's no-maintenance warrenty, and they would have to float a pretty high bill.
It is on the US to bring our standards up to par with Europe, but try and sell that to all the diesel-using Americans who would have to float the bill for $5+ per gallon.