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The BMW 118d looks good, drives good, and is good. There's no reason not to want one of these. With five seats and a 8.8 second 0 to 60 time, people who are used to BMWs certainly won't complain.
{digg}http://digg.com/autos/BMW_118d_0_60_in_9_Seconds_and_60_MPG{/digg}But, using an advanced direct-injection diesel engine, the car manages to get an extremely impressive 59 miles per gallon. Even more impressive, the car is only setting people back about $30k.
WIRED's Autopia, however, points on the biggest drawback. If you want to buy this thing in the world's largest car market (the United States), you're out of luck.
While BMW won the World Green Car Award in Manhattan last week, they have no intention of actually selling the car in the U.S.. After finishing with the contest, the 118d went straight back to Germany. So why do green cars hate America so much? Or is it the other way around...
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written by Karsten, March 31, 2008
I had the pleasure to ride in two Diesel powered BMWs last year. In Germany. The only way I knew they were Diesels is by asking. Of course, I do not drive a new car at home in the US, so any new car is much "better" than what I own. Nevertheless, 140 mph in a Diesel for long stretches ( I do not think this is top speed), great acceleration, super smooth ride, etc. did not speak AGAINST the Diesel power. The fuel mileage was pretty good too. I would not choose to drive like my brother (I let him drive since I am not comfortable any more with German traffic), but I would be hard pressed to find any reason to not drive or own a Diesel.
It is perception, not facts that drives decisions for most people. People would eat crap if they thought it was better. Come to think of what is in the food of most Americans, we do. Sorry, drifted of topic.
Karsten
http://www.polluteless.com
Practical Advice to Pollute Less
It is perception, not facts that drives decisions for most people. People would eat crap if they thought it was better. Come to think of what is in the food of most Americans, we do. Sorry, drifted of topic.
Karsten
http://www.polluteless.com
Practical Advice to Pollute Less
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written by ryan, March 31, 2008
$30k for a car is a (kind of a) lot of money. Both my Prius and Jetta TDI originally sold in the low $20k range.
I personally will just do what I always do with my cars. Wait for idiots to crash them, then snap them up from the local auction! Guess I am kinda putting the cart before the horse though, since this car has no plans of making the trek across the Atlantic as of yet... and most likely never will.
I personally will just do what I always do with my cars. Wait for idiots to crash them, then snap them up from the local auction! Guess I am kinda putting the cart before the horse though, since this car has no plans of making the trek across the Atlantic as of yet... and most likely never will.
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written by EV, March 31, 2008
Last I heard, most diesels couldn't meet the emissions standards in the US. Too much SO2 in the output, partly due to the Sulfur in the fuel. The only way most trucks get around this is by injecting urea into the cylinder to assist in combustion of the Sulfur.
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written by ljd, March 31, 2008
Are you suggesting we pee in our diesel?...
What a great idea!
What a great idea!
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written by yep, March 31, 2008
in fact that suggestion is not far from the truth. all new clean diesel cars are based on that technology (whether it's mercedes bluetec and vw's clean diesel http://www.vw.com/vwhype/heritage/en/us/?#/Today/)
I wouldn't say that the new common-rail diesels are any louder than normal gas engines. although i don't think they are being sold in the US yet. They sound pretty good in the new VW Tiguan though.
I wouldn't say that the new common-rail diesels are any louder than normal gas engines. although i don't think they are being sold in the US yet. They sound pretty good in the new VW Tiguan though.
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written by BBM, March 31, 2008
American Tier 2 Bin 5 regulations for diesel are pretty stringent... IIRC quite more tough than the EU regs.
And even those are far less clean than gasoline emissions.
And even those are far less clean than gasoline emissions.
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written by BBM, March 31, 2008
American Tier 2 Bin 5 regulations for diesel are pretty stringent... IIRC quite more tough than the EU regs.
And even those are far less clean than gasoline emissions.
And even those are far less clean than gasoline emissions.
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written by Thomas, March 31, 2008
I really don't get the bad reputation Diesel engines have in the US.
BTW in Germany, Diesel is popular for two simple reasons: 1. Diesel is slightly cheaper than normal gasoline and 2. it has the words "slightly greener" in large friendly letters printed on the car.
BTW in Germany, Diesel is popular for two simple reasons: 1. Diesel is slightly cheaper than normal gasoline and 2. it has the words "slightly greener" in large friendly letters printed on the car.
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written by KC, June 06, 2008
can someone explain to me how a car can win a "world green car" award but not pass emissions standard. isn't 'green'ness of the car judged by its emissions in the first place?
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written by Ecir Nodnarb, March 19, 2009
A diesel engine can burn petroleum and non-petroleum fuels. You have a choice. Diesel engines are the direct answer to sustainability.
Gasoline engines are chained to petroleum. There is no choice. When oil becomes to expensive to extract out of the ground, the gasoline engine will become useless.
The combustion cycle of diesel however can burn new or used vegetable oil. Current diesels converted to run on straight vegetable oil are called SVO. They do need some diesel at start-up and shut-down to purge the lines of the more viscous vegetable oil, but the secondary fuel can be biodiesel.
My dream car is made of a Chevy Volt with the gasoline power generation unit stripped out and replaced with a turbo-diesel generator with separate tanks for for both diesel and straight vegetable oil.
Gasoline engines are chained to petroleum. There is no choice. When oil becomes to expensive to extract out of the ground, the gasoline engine will become useless.
The combustion cycle of diesel however can burn new or used vegetable oil. Current diesels converted to run on straight vegetable oil are called SVO. They do need some diesel at start-up and shut-down to purge the lines of the more viscous vegetable oil, but the secondary fuel can be biodiesel.
My dream car is made of a Chevy Volt with the gasoline power generation unit stripped out and replaced with a turbo-diesel generator with separate tanks for for both diesel and straight vegetable oil.
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That's the reason I think we will continue to see more cars using hybrid technology instead of diesel.