BMW 5 Series Diesel Coming to U.S.

After a February test-drive in the diesel-powered version of BMW's all-new F10-generation 5 Series sedan, the most we could say about whether the U.S.-market would ever see it: maybe.

BMW 5 Series Diesel

The gloves are off now, though, with BMW confirming at a media event this week that the magnificent new 5 Series also will be available to U.S. buyers with one of BMW's magnificent turbodiesel engines. The company won't yet say which diesel — or when.

But for compression-ignition aficionados, the news gets even better. BMW is planning to give us diesel power for another as-yet-unnamed model, too.

Willem Rombauts, product manager for the 5 Series, X5 and X6, said two more models in the U.S. will offer diesels. "The 5 Series will definitely be one of them," he revealed.

Currently, the 330d and the X5 xDrive35d are the only two U.S.-spec models fitted with diesels. Both use BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel that generates 265 horsepower and a sinful 425 pound-feet of torque. Both have been on sale since 2008. Neither, however, has recorded the kind of sales numbers that make the accountants back in Germany break out with spontaneous yelps of Wagnerian rapture.