BMW has just unveiled a facelifted 7-Series for the 2013 model year but more updates are coming, including the addition of a diesel model in the U.S. for the first time.

With Mercedes-Benz already selling its S350 BlueTEC and Audi set to launch a diesel-powered A8 later this year, BMW has apparently decided that it too should offer the economic option for its discerning customers in the U.S.

According to Car and Driver, the 7-Series diesel will arrive in about a year.

Powering the car will be BMW’s 3.0-liter straight-six turbodiesel, which has already been certified for the U.S. market and in the X5 xDrive35d delivers a reasonable 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque.

It’s unclear how powerful the engine will be in the U.S.-spec 7-Series diesel, though overseas this engine is available in several different states of tune in BMW’s flagship sedan.

The least powerful, yet most fuel efficient, is the 730d, which delivers 258 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. On the European combined cycle, which isn’t quite as harsh as EPA standards, the 730d returns an impressive 42 mpg.

Next in line is the 740d, which is rated at 313 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy for this model almost matches that of the 730d despite offering significantly more power, coming in at 41 mpg on the same European combined cycle.

Finally, there’s the 750d. Able to rival some V-8s, this model delivers 381 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque and will accelerate the 7-Series from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. Despite its performance prowess, the engine still returns a reasonable 36.7 mpg. Let’s hope this is the version that we get in the U.S.