BMW Unveils 57 mpg 3-series Sedan For Europe
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2010 BMW 320d
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Americans don't like diesel. American's won't accept four-cylinders in a luxury sedan. Americans are afraid of Jell-O. OK, that last one probably isn't true, but the first two are accepted wisdom in the automotive world. But today, BMW announced a new 320d 3-series sedan for the Frankfurt Motor Show that makes all three of those statements look equally silly.
It's hard to argue with a luxury sedan that gets 57 mpg, after all. And that's exactly what the 320d gets in the EU test cycle. That's 7 mpg more than the brand-new 2010 Toyota Prius that everyone (including me) has been raving about. It absolutely trounces the Lexus HS 250h in economy, too, and few would count the 3-series' accommodations as lacking in comparison to the new Lexus hybrid.
Sure, it's not going to win any power-per-pound awards at 163 horsepower from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel, but with the low-end grunt of a diesel engine and typical city/suburban driving constraints, few will really notice its lack of high-end power - and those that do will likely forgive it in exchange for its fuel-sipping graces.
All that efficiency comes in part from its strict adherence to BMW's EfficientDynamics program of complementary technologies, as well. Germany, Italy, France and Spain will all get to sample the car's optimized aerodynamics, extra-long final drive ratio, and innovative two-mass flywheel incorporating a centrifugal-force pendulum once it goes on sale. Perhaps, with time, even Americans will get to sample this combination of efficiency and luxury too.
Or maybe that's all a bunch of fancy thinking that just doesn't apply to the average V-8-hearted American.
[BMW]
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By Bepsf Posted: 8/22/2009 1:20pm PDT
It's more popular over there than the 335d.
It's dumb Americans and their unreasonable diesel phobia that keep efficient models like this from US shores.
By Alister Posted: 8/22/2009 3:46pm PDT
And since I'm bashing liberals here its only fair I offer them some help, on behalf of Audi...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9lTGnvHMTw
By Euro-Trash Posted: 8/24/2009 10:33pm PDT
Two problems with this statement. Its not that Americans don't like diesel, but unlike you folks in Europe, America's infrastructure is not designed for diesel fuel, i.e., not every gas station carries it.
Second, in America, gasoline is cheaper than diesel because Americans do not pay anywhere near the taxes you do. Therefore, diesel cars and
trucks are slower sellers in America.
American's won't accept four-cylinders in a luxury sedan.
Yup. Since BMW markets its cars as *luxury,* its cars are loaded up to maximize profit. Therefore, you won't get 4 cylinder engines, wind-up
windows or cloth seats. You also won't find BMW exporting its 1 Series hatchback to America either :(
Nevertheless, this new car has great mileage. Too bad we won't get it over here in AMERICA!!!
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