Whether this means a true M car, like the M3 or the 1-Series M Coupe or something in between an M and an M Sport model remains to be seen. Whatever its state of tune, Autoblog reports that it won't be getting an official M5 badge; it will get some other formulation. BMW 5-Series M Diesel, perhaps? There are many possibilities.
As for what kind of power we can expect from a diesel 5-Series M-tuned sedan, we can't be sure. You can be sure that if M Division is moving forward it will be suitably brawny, likely offering at least as much torque as the standard 2012 M5, and likely a healthy dose more, to make up for the diesel's characteristic low-revving nature. We'll be in Pebble in just a couple of days, and we'll talk with BMW to uncover more if we can.
The decision to go diesel has put most of what the M Division has said for the past several years on its head. Our 2009 interview with Dr. Kay Segler, chief of the M Division, for instance, touched on the subject of an M diesel. Segler said such a car would be unlikely at best, as America isn't fond of diesels and there wasn't much of a business case for a high-performance one at all. That has either changed of BMW has decided to try to make it change.
What say you? Would you buy a diesel M car? If so, why? Let us know in the comments below.
[Autoblog]
