BMW plans to introduce a pair of diesel-powered models, the X5 xDrive35d and the 535d, to the U.S. market for 2009.  Though Americans are mostly unfamiliar with BMW diesels, the foreign auto press has charted impressive mileage and performance from the engines. 

PC Magazine reports, "A mid-size BMW sedan equipped with a diesel engine returned better fuel economy on a 545-mile, London-to-Geneva, run than a gasoline-powered Toyota Prius."  In testing performed for the London Times, "a BMW 520d with a 2.0-liter diesel engine and regenerative braking (but no heavy duty hybrid features) got 41.9 mpg while the full-hybrid Prius, 500 pounds lighter, got 40.1 mpg."  Testers "drove BMW's midsize 5 Series sedan and the Prius London-to-Geneva, adding 100 miles" of city driving to the route to take advantage of the Prius's 48mpg city rating.  At the end of the drive, they discovered that "the BMW still had a third of its tank in reserve."

 Autoblog, meanwhile, reports that Britain's Top Gear has tested the 535d against "a gas V8-powered 545i, and although the V8 beat the six-cylinder diesel, the 535d did remarkably well."  egmcartech offers video of the test, and comments, "We're pretty excited about the 2009...diesel models arriving in the U.S. later this fall."

The 535d is one of many diesel cars on their way to the U.S. in 2009. 

Research the most fuel-efficient options in every class with U.S. News' rankings and reviews.

Find this story interesting? If so, please click "Buzz up" to let us know.