JerryS4

They are loosing money in the USA due to the weak dollar and are treading water for the time being. Looking at it globally, I would do the same although it sucks for USA.

antiSUV

The pre-facelift 330d (single turbo) has 230 hp and 367 lb-ft (500 Nm )and the 335d (sequential twin turbo) has 286 hp and 427 lb-ft (580 Nm). One downside of the 335d for some of us is the Steptronic is the only available tranny. If you look back at the Detroit Auto Show announcement, they were going to bring in the 335d.

Not too many technical details about the engine in that article, but 245 hp and 383 lb-ft sounds like an upgraded single turbo powerplant. If it was going to be available as a manual, then I will be giving it serious thought.

Have had seat time in a B8 A4 2.0TDi and a BMW 530d abroad. For those of you who haven't driven modern diesels, they are NOTHING like the Mercedes 300s of yore. Good thing my next car isn't in the cards till next year... :-)

bpp

...maybe.

fracisco

I did, and I was pleasantly impressed. TDi with DSG, and then drove a 2.0T with DSG back to back. The low redline in the diesels is the only thing that feels strange to me.

tubi

Just test drove a bunch of them at a BMW drive event. What's with the "floaty" and mushy suspension and the muted road feel? Is that due to the run flat tires?

JimS A6_2.7T

Car and Driver article states the 335d is being sent to the US.

New-for-U.S. Monster Diesel, Other U.S. Engines Unchanged

Engines remain unchanged, with the exception of the second most powerful diesel, the 330d. We tested this formidable 242-hp powerplant coupled with a six-speed manual. The 330d performed extremely well, pulling strongly enough--even above 130 mph--to make sports-car drivers weep. Unfortunately, it won't come to the U.S., but that's okay. We'll get the 335d instead, positioned one notch above the 330d. It has an identical 3.0-liter displacement but adds two turbochargers and produces 265 horsepower and a fearsome 425 pound-feet of torque, the latter available as low as 1750 rpm. Compare that with the M3's 295 pound-feet of torque, and you get a clue as to this diesel's attraction. Just keep the windows closed: The interior is well isolated, but outside, you still get treated to a distant, unsexy memento of your father's diesel-powered Oldsmobile.<ul><li><a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/entry_luxury/2009_bmw_3_series_first_drive_review">http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/entry_luxury/2009_bmw_3_series_first_drive_review</a</li></ul>

chewym

I don't see the diesel engine having a really big take rate. In Europe about 50% of the cars are diesel, when the Jetta had the TDI option, VW sold about 25% of the Jettas with diesel. With the new diesel (and high gas prices) VW is looking for about 30% of Jettas with the TDI.

I see about 10-15% of BMW having the diesel engine, give or take.

And the EPA seals the deal with the 335d getting 23/33 while the 328i gets 19/28. You typical customre won't pay extra (335i price) for a few mpgs, and the same customer will complain how diesel fuel is so expensive.

Hokie_Audi

Audi certainly hasn't put a stake in the sand like BMW has. They're late. They blew a great chance with the A4 intro IMHO.

Quattrings

smaller more efficient 2.0 TDI seems like it will be a hit. Last I heard Audi was looking into figuring out what customers expect out of the A4 in terms of the performance of the 3.0 or the efficiency of the 2.0 I would bet there would be more people who would purchase the 2.0 TDI than the much better performing 3.0 TDI but it comes down to "what does Audi represent?" With their ALMS racing program, it seem like the 3.0 would complement their performance racing image most and enthusiasts would seeem to favor that engine ( I know I would). Under the current climate of diesel that runs +$1/gal over Premium, I have to say that a 40-45MPG 2.0 TDI would probably do better for Audi here than the 3.0, at least in terms of sales to the average consumer.

Hokie_Audi

If you want economy over all you'll start by saving yourself $20,000 and getting a Jetta instead. Diesel needs to be marketed as the heavy hitting performance option that you can afford to feed. The "Economy Diesel" concept is connected to far too many negatives from a "branding" standpoint. "Performance Diesel" however is entirely new and could really go somewhere with the right campaign and cars to back it up. Audi will eventually go there in the U.S. Shortly after BMW does it first and steals the spotlight that could have been Audi's.