BMW Announces Diesel BluePerformance

A spirited dance performance began BMW's press conference in Detroit, with the German automaker claiming it symbolized the dynamic new year ahead for the company. The reason for all the gyration: BMW announced that diesels will return to the U.S. market.

Known as Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance, the two new models will be the X5 xDrive35d and the 335d sedan, both powered by a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder with Variable Twin Turbo Technology and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system.

Producing 265 horsepower, the high-performance diesel will be available in all 50 states when the two models go on sale in the fall of 2008. The BMW diesel models are an answer for driving enthusiasts who demand not only high performance but fuel-efficiency and a more positive environmental impact. BMW claims the engine is the cleanest diesel with the sportiest performance in the world.

Also debuting at the NAIAS were the production version of the BMW X6 which debuted in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show last fall, and a convertible version of the new 1-Series Coupe.

BMW says the X6 combines the performance of a sports car with the versatility of a sport sedan, the shape of a coupe with a sport-activity vehicle to create what BMW calls a Sports Activity Coupe.

Sharing BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system with the X5, the X6 also introduces BMW Dynamic Performance Control which distributes power between the rear wheels depending on the driving conditions, which improves vehicle turn-in.

Also new to the X6 is a 407-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine with high-pressure ignition that delivers 450 lb-ft of torque from 1700 to 4500 rpm.

The new 1-Series Convertible joins the BMW coupe that made its U.S. debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Described by Tom Purvis, chairman and CEO of BMW North America, as the modern embodiment of the legendary 2002 coupe that came to the U.S. more than 40 years ago, the 1-Series features a compact body, front engine, rear-wheel drive, 50/50 weight distribution and powerful 6-cylinder engines.

The 1-Series Convertible adds the open-air driving experience in a premium compact with BMW driving dynamics.