BMW Confirms Diesel-Powered 5 Series For U.S.

Car And Driver is reporting that BMW has confirmed plans to sell a diesel-powered version of the new 5 Series in the U.S. called the 540d. The vehicle will likely be very similar to the 530d in the European market, but BMW isn’t quite ready to share details on the new car just yet.

In Europe, the 530d is powered by 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six that generates 262 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. Given the U.S. version is slated to be called the 540d, it’s safe bet the U.S. market version of the car may have additional power. In addition to more power, the 540d should see an increase in fuel economy over the 30 mpg combined rating its predecessor, the 535d, carried in the U.S. market.

If the 530d in Europe is any indicator, the state-side version should come in rear or all-wheel-drive configuration. Once it arrives it will join diesel versions of the 3 Series, X3 and X5 within the BMW lineup. There’s no word yet on when the 540d will arrive, but BMW is probably focusing its efforts on meeting demand of the gas version of the new car first.