Toyota Prius proves a gas guzzler in a race with the BMW 520d
 

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/used_car_reviews/article3552994.ece

Not surprisig to see that diesel wins.........not surprising. I just have no idea why the existing diesel technology is not encouraged instead of all these fancy hybrid stuff which doesn't work period.

Yuck, 4 cylinder diesel in a 5 series? Give it the 6 cylinder at least. If you can't afford the fuel, can you afford the 5 series?

And last I inquired, we won't be seeing the little BMW diesel here in the US market -- not anytime soon, anyway. Sigh... I just don't get it...

Because diesels are dirty and hybrids are clean, just ask Al Gore.

BMW will give us the turbo-six diesel later this year (Aug, I believe), and it'll be available in the 335d (sedan and wagon form) and the X5d. Unfortunately for us, the 335d should see only 32 highway or so. I'm watching for the release of the wagon version - I might sell my E320 wagon and move over to a deisel BMW if I'm wrong about the mpg thing. I'd think it should be higher.

I have the impression that fuel prices will result in our seeing more diesel models offered in the US in the near future. I only recently learned about some of the improvements in performance that the European manufacturers have achieved. Is my perception correct?

That's exactly what I got out of the BMW dealer on my last inquiry. Wonder why no 4 cyl? VW can't seem to keep TDIs on the lot. You'd think they'd all start to "get it" sooner or later.

In the next few months I'll have an opportunity to drive the 520d here stateside. I drove the 318d last November and that thing felt incredibly quick. Super smooth torque curve, that pulled right up to the "redline". It did not feel like a 143hp 4-cyl. I'll report back when the 520 finally gets delivered.

C&D (or R&T) recently had an article on the BMW diesels and came to the same conclusion you did. I am amazed at the power and, particularly, the torque I get with my VW TDI.