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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg 260 + HP and 50 MPG? (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=226623)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/BMW_335d_-_3_0L_I6_TurboDiesel.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) - Aug. 9, 2009

The most fuel efficient performance oriented engine available in the US – courtesy of BMW.

Soon after BMW introduced its advanced diesel into the US, "Ward's Auto World" selected the 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine as one of the "10 Best Engines" of 2009. Ward’s jury of experts selected the 3.0L turbo-diesel because it was one of the years most innovative powertrains with exemplary performance, commendable fuel economy and low emissions.

Performance and Fuel Economy

Featuring an all-aluminum block and head, this light-weight 3.0-liter Sequential Turbo DOHC Diesel achieves a max output of 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. This allows the 335d to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds while at the same time allowing a 23 (city) and 36 (highway) per the 08 EPA. A vehicle this powerful should not allow this level of fuel economy yet in our own cross country drives, we have seen 50 mpg + from this performance oriented luxury vehicle on many occasions.

Emissions

Thanks to an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system with urea injection to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOX) and a diesel particulate filter, the BMW Advanced Diesel meets the most stringent emission regulations in the world including both the California LEV and other US Federal Tier II/Bin 5.

Just Imagine...

Today’s BMW 3.0L twin-turbo-diesel offers what we all have to deem superlative straight-line performance while at the same time allowing fuel economy most compacts in the US will never be able to reach. Imagine if BMW’s EfficientDynamics engineers were let loose to design and build a 1.5L – 120 HP Turbo-Diesel powering an even lighter 1 or 3-series? For a mostly highway driver, the only thing that could be more efficient would be an all-electric sports car albeit with a much shorter range...

2009 BMW 335d - Powerful and fuel efficient

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I still find it weird whenever I see a 3-series described as a 'compact'... only in America! Is the 23/36 mpg rating just a result of the EPA test system, or is it really this poor in real driving? I'd have expected it to give much better mpg figures than that in the real world.

Hi Mike:

___23/36 mpgUS is a US city/highway figure so tack on another 20% when in imperial gallons. The second and most important item is the NEDC uses much less robust test cycles compared to the new 5-test cycle 08 EPA the BMW is rated at. The NEDC is similar to our older 85 - 07 EPA test cycles in results. In the UK, the US based BMW 335d would probably be rated at ~ 32 mpgIMP urban/50 mpgIMP extra-urban.

___In L/100 km, the US 335d would probably be rated ~ 7.5L/100 Km combined on the NEDC.

___I have not looked it up but do the 3-Series I6's in the UK weigh 3,800 pounds (~ 1,725 kg?) as they do here? I would not want to have anyone but small children in the back of one as it is tight. For an empty nester or DINK (double income - no kids), the 335d is one of the best vehicles we have available in the states for FE, performance, luxury and finally its very fun to drive character .

___The final nail in the coffin here in the US is emissions. To meet Tier II/Bin 5, a fifth post injection is needed to burn off the DPF which is entirely wasted (Europe is just beginning to experience this one in most diesel vehicles) let alone the DOC that is in an almost continuous state of regeneration. When Europe goes to Euro VI, you will be a bit closer but it will probably be 2020 before the European emissions match the US and your diesels will be clamped down as hard as they are over here :(

___I hope that helps?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Starting at $43,900. :( There's nothing excellent about that.

Hi Tim:

___A $3,600 premium over the conventionally powered 335i... BMW's are pricey but that does not remove the fact the 335d offers those that can afford this luxury automobile great FE on the highway.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

This is already a class leading engine, but BMW now has an improved version that will appear in the 7-series soon and start making its way into other models over time. It's still a twin turbo 3.0 I6, but gets about 20 more hp and 5% less fuel consumption.

Wayne,

I noticed on other forums that owners of the newest Duramax and Cummins are complaining that their 3/4 and one ton vehicles don't get as good mpg as 2004 versions of same. They are claiming to be 1-2 mpg down-10%-15% or so vs earlier versions.
Is this because the latest versions-6.6 liters vs 6 and 5.9 liters- now waste fuel to burn the particulates in their "soot' filters? Is this what happened to the latest TDI VWs?


Did that Honda Diesel you drove cross country vs the Prius use the same sort of system?

Thanks
Charlie

Hi Charlie:

___When the VW Jetta TDI or BMW 335d goes into a DPF regeneration, its fuel economy stinks for upwards of the next 5- 10 miles and I suspect the HD P/U's are seeing the same. The iCDTi we drove had no DPF and thus its FE was superlative from the time I turned the key after its first top-off just a few miles from picking it up in MI until the time it ran out of gas 1,100 + miles and a week and a half later ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wayne

Thanks. Too bad that such an inelegant solution is THE solution for now.

Thanks
Charlie

I still find it weird whenever I see a 3-series described as a 'compact'... only in America! Is the 23/36 mpg rating just a result of the EPA test system, or is it really this poor in real driving? I'd have expected it to give much better mpg figures than that in the real world.

I'm new to my 335d (about 1,200 miles on the clock) but my trip computer is showing 40+ mpg for highway driving (65 mph).That's with A/C on. My one "big" fillup so far (about 8 gallons) showed 38.5 mpg in *very* mixed driving (lots of stop & go).

Hi Listerone:

___About all I can add is you are doing very well and thank you for choosing the most fuel efficient BMW available on the Continent!

___And I am very envious indeed :)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I am driving the Mercedes E-320 Diesel and am experiencing pretty much the same mixed driving mileage at 34.2 to 36.8 mpg. I am a bit heavy on the foot entering the traffic in the LA freeway system though so I do not get run over and need to hammer it occasionally to get into the right lanes for the exits as i am living off of GPS instructions etc... and am basically lost 90% of the time I am driving around here.........

Much better milage when on my home turf in Vegas.......