Nick Graves

Keep an eye out for that one; actually it's so challenging aesthetically, it'll poke yer eye out, most likely!

Anyway, BMW has installed a four pot two litre engine (yes, I know the badges lie; that's why German women can't park...) that is of considerable technological interest.

Firstly, it's 204 DIN BHP; three more than a Civic Type-R!

Secondly, they've adopted balancer shafts (like the Honda Diesel) so it's a BMW four that's acceptably smooth and not just for saddoes who need a BMW but cannot afford a proper one with a six.

Thirdly, the use of two-stage turbocharging and better fuel metering means that throttle lag is apparently little worse than a turbo petrol and makes for excellent driveability.

Now, the Honda Diesel made engines of its ilk no longer unacceptable; it looks like the other great engione-builder has evolved things to the next stage.

If you need a rattler, keep a look out!

lovegroova

Nick, have you been kidnapped by the aliens?

It'll still be rougher than any Bimmer or Honda (or even Peugeot) petrol 4.

Still, once chipped, it'll no doubt outrun an S2000

moff

I did read somewhere on the Interweb that Honda were developing a diesel VTEC high revving engine...

I think BMW should have put the excellent 3.0 twin turbo diesel engine in the 1 series. Honestly, it's the best diesel engine that I have ever experienced.

Our 335d is excellent, even when overtaking you don't run out of revs. It is easily a mid- 13 sec 0-100 car which I think is very impressive for a 1550+kg car.

I think it would make a very very fast 1 series.

soulcrew

i am quite interested in the upcoming scooby flat 4 diesel.


smooth

simonprelude

Indeed, they are expected to be introducing the Diesel Civic type R soon

It 'should' be quicker than the current Petrol one.

JAOZZY

The current diesel Civic is no slouch, I was quite surprised when I had one as a loan car, looked down at the speedo a few times and thought it must be reading wrong.

moff

But compared to the 'fast' diesels from VAG and BMW it is.

130bhp is not that quick compared to the diesel 4 pots 170bhp (VAG) and 200bhp (BMW).

JAOZZY

I take your point, it just surprised me at the time, so much so I nearly bought one. I went for the Alfa 159 2.4 5 pot instead, thats 200 hp and I get 40 mpg, can't argue with that for a company car when I'm doing 35K a year.

lower

I always thought that the rev limit on a diesel was the speed of burn of the mixture itself.

Obviously with a diesel you can't advance the timing to get the mixture burning earlier like you can with a petrol engine as you're dependent on the compression to ignite the air/fuel mixture.

Nick Graves

No, my problem's not with the engineers! Well, except that it weighs best part of 1.5 tonnes, so the advantage over the Civic ain't all it seems.

The Civic engine is smooth(ish) due to the balancer shaft and it's high time the Germans remembered them for their rough fours.

OK, it's no Honda petrol or BMW six, but it's a fair achievement.

TBH, the burn speed will limit RPM and I should imagine they will have to take steps to try to stop people chipping it. The poor bottom end is under enough strain with 204BHP and that torturous Diesel compression ratio, as it is!