BMW Releases Details of M-class Diesel Models

Jan 27 2012

BMW has published official details of its new range of M-class diesel models that will hit showrooms later this year.  These cars form part of the company’s new “M-Performance” brand.

The three models will be named the M550d, X6 M50d and X5 M50d.  They will make their debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012.  All of them use the same 3-litre tri-turbo 6-cylinder diesel engine.

The M550d will be sold both as a sedan and an estate.  This will be a rear-wheel drive car producing 376bhp.  This is still 176 bhp less than the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 of the M5, but 74bhp more than the most powerful 5-series diesel model.

While the M550d may not have all the power of the M5, it does not lag far behind in terms of performance.  BMW claims the car will have a 0-62 acceleration figure of 4.7 seconds, which is only 0.3 seconds more than the M5.

Where the car really excels is when it comes to fuel consumption and emission levels.  Where the M5 can do no better than 28.5 miles per gallon and CO2 emission figures of 232g/km, the diesel boasts 44.8 miles per gallon and 165g/km.

The lower C02 emission levels will save the owner a full £625 in road taxes alone during the first year, which for many people will be enough reason to make them sign up for a car finance deal on a diesel instead of a petrol model.
 

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