Clean Green Cars: BMW unlikely to produce diesel M-cars until U.S. embraces oil-burners

BMW unlikely to produce diesel M-cars until U.S. embraces oil-burners

BMW M3 GT4 - click for high-res image gallery

In recent months, AMG, the high performance gurus at Mercedes-Benz, have hinted at some future plans for reducing CO₂ emissions including hybrids and possible diesel engines. Similarly, Audi has built the high-performance Q7 V12 TDI and has been racing diesel sports cars since 2006. BMW’s M division has been quiet about its efficiency plans so far. This past week however, M division boss Kay Segler said that diesel M cars are unlikely anytime soon. The problem is that the U.S. is a significant market for M models like the M3, M5 and M6. Until the U.S. market really latches on to diesel, it wouldn’t make sense for M to develop cars powered by compression ignition engines.

On the other hand, although Segler didn’t say anything about it, M will have to do something to become more fuel efficient. BMW is actively developing hybrid and electric drive systems and the next M5 is rumored to include a hybrid system. With AMG indicating that an electric drive version of the new SLS gullwing is possible in mid-decade, something similar from BMW is not out of the question.

Gallery: BMW M3 GT4