New BMW X3 diesel gets 50.4 mpg

The new BMW X3, which features the latest (third) generation of BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, gets an incredible 50.4 mpg when equipped with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine. The only problem is that the diesel isn't (yet) slated to be available in the U.S.

Last May, BMW promised two new diesels within 12 months. One is likely to be the 535d. The other is a big question mark but an X3 that gets 50+ mpg would be a key differentiator since the current diesel SUVs that are sold in the U.S. barely get half that.
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LexusKindaGuy12 - 1/10/2011 1:53:03 AM

-1 Boost

imperial gallons I presume?

Whelan - 1/10/2011 7:51:57 AM

-2 Boost

It must be because that rating exceeds what their lighter, smaller, sedans can accomplish with diesel. And if BMW can pull 50mpg in US gallons out of a small SUV diesel, then VW should be able to get 75mpg US out of the Golf TDI.

Article needs more accuracy, but I'm willing to be that over the next few years due to CAFE that you will see these diesels make it to US shores more abundantly in order to bring the "overall" mpg ratings of manufacturers lineups more on par.

So I guess there is one good thing about the CAFE standards, it forces some of these companies to finally offer more diesel and European engines in the lineups.

Rectifier - 1/10/2011 7:45:07 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, fuel consumption is 5.6 L/100 km = 42 US MPG = Imp. MPG of diesel on the new EU test cycle.
For comparison, Toyota Prius gets 3.9 L/100 km = 60.3 US MPG = 72/4 Imp. MPG of gas.

Rectifier - 1/10/2011 7:46:15 PM

+1 Boost

^50.4 Imp. MPG

Rectifier - 1/10/2011 7:49:54 PM

+1 Boost

And the most efficient Golf TDI in Europe is 1.6 TDI, 105 hp. It gets 4.5L/100km = 52.3 US MPG = 62.8 Imp. MPG of diesel.

mclaren428 - 1/10/2011 9:46:46 AM

+4 Boost

very impressive! When the 2.0 comes to the states it will be very hard to overlook.

knowitall1985 - 1/10/2011 2:57:40 PM

-2 Boost

0-60 one week.........

Rupert - 1/10/2011 3:47:22 PM

+3 Boost

8.5 Seconds.

85bmw745i - 1/10/2011 11:07:11 PM

+2 Boost

8.5 seconds is not bad, much faster than any gasoline engined 4 cylinder competitors except the Touran and the Acura but those have turbo's. That is impressive fuel economy for any vehicle, especially a heavy crossover SUV.