Spoiled for choice: BMW planning six new diesel models for the U.S.

By Stephen Edelstein Published November 8, 2012

In greening up its image, BMW has two choices: push the diesel engines it already sells in droves in Europe, or continue to promote its “ActiveHybrid” powertrain. The Bavarian company seems to be choosing “all of the above.” Even with hybrid versions of all of its sedans, BMW is reportedly planning to launch a full line of diesels in North America.

A slide showing release dates for six diesel models, reportedly taken from a BMW North America meeting, was leaked on the F30Post forum. If it’s legitimate, Americans can expect an onslaught of diesel Bimmers beginning next year.

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The first car listed is a 3 series sedan, which will arrive in the first half of 2013. It will be followed by a 3 series wagon in the second half of next year. The diesel will be the second engine option for the wagon, which launches next May as a 328i with BMW’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, but not the inline-six found in 335i sedan models.

Rounding out 2013 will be a diesel 5 Series sedan and a new X5d. The 5 Series will debut in the third quarter of 2013, with the X5d following at the end of the year.

In 2014, BMW will launch a diesel version of its flagship 7 Series model, along with an X3d version of the company’s medium-sized crossover. Both models are scheduled to arrive in the first half of 2014.

It’s a little early to tell which engines will power each of these new diesel BMWs, but the company’s 3.0-liter inline-six is a good bet for most of them. It’s essentially a diesel version of BMW’s ubiquitous gasoline six, and it powers the current X5d. In that crossover, it produces 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque in that crossover.

A smaller, four-cylinder diesel is also a possibility, especially on the smaller X3d and the 3 Series wagon, which will only be offered with four-cylinder gasoline power.

Experimenting with diesels shows that BMW is in the same state of confusion as its German luxury rivals when it comes to green technology. After years of campaigning for diesel power, Audi launched the A8 hybrid in Europe, and built an A6L plug-in hybrid concept. Mercedes-Benz has the S400 Hybrid and its Bluetec diesels and, of course, all three companies are experimenting with battery-electric vehicles.

For its part, BMW will have hybrid versions of its three sedans, along with a full line of diesels. In Europe, diesels and hybrids coexist like this, but diesel is also the fossil fuel of choice for most European buyers.

In America, diesel is still an obscure technology; it’s viewed as a high-mileage alternative to gasoline, not the norm. So, depending on EPA ratings and price, it’s possible that buyers looking for a fuel efficient luxury car might cross-shop a diesel with a hybrid. At least they won’t have to go far if they’re already at a BMW dealer.

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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Mercedes bets solar paint is part of EV-charging future

mercedes solar paint evs benz electric camper

It’s been said that Albert Einstein’s genius came from his ability to freely wonder and ask child-like questions way before he even tried applying science-based solutions.
It seems some within the R&D department at Mercedes-Benz might be similarly inspired. The German automaker is currently developing a special solar paint that, when applied on the surface of vehicles, can harness enough energy from the sun to power up EVs.
The energy generated by the paint’s solar cells can be used for driving or fed directly into a high-voltage battery.
“The photovoltaic system is permanently active and also generates energy when the vehicle is switched off,” Mercedes says. “In the future, this could be a highly effective solution for increased electric range and fewer charging stops.”
The layer of paste to be applied on EVs is significantly thinner than a human hair, yet its photovoltaic cells are packed full of energy. Covering the surface of a mid-size SUV with the paint could produce enough energy for up to 7,456 miles per year under ideal conditions, Mercedes says.
This does imply being in geographic locations with plenty of sun hours during the day.
But even with less-than-ideal sun hours, the energy yielded can make a significant difference to EV charging. Mercedes says the solar-paint charge could provide 100% of needed energy for an average daily drive of 32 miles in sun-drenched Los Angeles. In much less sunny conditions -- such as around Mercedes’ headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany -- it would still yield enough energy for 62% of the distance.
An added bonus for environmentally-conscious drivers: Unlike some solar panels, the solar paint contains no rare earth or silicon – only non-toxic, readily available raw materials. It’s also easy to recycle and considerably cheaper to produce than conventional solar modules, Mercedes says.
The likes of Aptera, Sono Motors, Lightyear, and Hyundai have also been researching how to best harness solar energy to power up EVs.
But that’s been mostly through solar panels yielding enough energy for small and light vehicles, such as Aptera’s three-wheel solar EV. Solar paint could bring solar charging for bigger vehicles, such as electric SUVs, Mercedes says.

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Volkswagen’s affordable ID.2 EV remains on track

vw id2 volkswagen affordable ev 1

It’s no secret that Volkswagen has been facing a huge slump in sales in Europe and China, forcing it to close plants in Germany.

But unlike other European automakers who have stuck to producing high-end electric vehicles (EVs), the German automaker keeps on reaffirming its commitment to bringing affordable EVs to market, including in the U.S.

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Is a Jeep Cherokee replacement slated for 2025?

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep is remaining somewhat mysterious about the name of a new hybrid SUV slated to be part of the brand’s lineup in 2025.
Speaking at the Los Angeles Auto Show recently, Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa would only say that a new compact SUV with a hybrid powertrain was indeed on the way, according to Automotive News.
Filosa had already confirmed last spring that a new “mainstream” large SUV would soon be launched by Jeep, adding that we "could probably guess what it will be called." His comments had sparked speculation that the Cherokee brand name would be back.
While the brand name has existed since 1974, the Cherokee Nation in the U.S. had officially asked Jeep to stop using its name in 2021.
Early last year, Jeep quietly discontinued the model, which was one of its most iconic SUVs of the past 50 years.
The reason? Besides slumping sales, Jeep at the time cited the confluence of market dynamics, consumer preferences, and strategic brand realignment.
The Cherokee was viewed as a classic four-door SUV, known both for its reliability and its ability to suit both off-road and urban environments.
But with time, “consumer preferences have significantly shifted towards larger SUVs equipped with the latest technology and enhanced safety features,” Jeep said at the time. “This trend is accompanied by an increasing demand for environmentally friendly vehicles, steering the market towards hybrid and electric models.”
While no one knows for sure what the new SUV hybrid will be called, Jeep's parent company, Stellantis, is certainly doing everything it can to steer all its brands in the hybrid and electric direction.

Stellantis recently launched a new platform called STLA Frame that’s made for full-size trucks and SUVs. The platform is designed to deliver a driving range of up to 690 miles for extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and 500 miles for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).