Oil-Burning 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI on Display

The 2013 VW Beetle TDI has debuted in all its glory at the Chicago Auto Show.

The clean diesel 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI has finally made its debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The fresh white Beetle TDI will go on sale later this year and packs the Jetta TDI and Golf TDI's powerplant.The aforementioned oil-burner is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with outputs rated at 140hp and the 'fitting for a diesel' 236 lb-ft of torque. As previously reported on CarBuzz, the engine is paired to either a six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission.
It is projected to return a solid 29mpg city and 39mpg highway, however no official EPA numbers have come out yet. In terms of features and styling, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI is equipped with a sunroof, Fender Premium sound system, five-inch touchscreen display with sat-nav and V-Tex Leatherette seating. It sits on a set of 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.Serving as Volkswagen's most fuel-efficient Bug, the 2013 Beetle TDI should price around $24,000 and is expected to hit the market towards the end of the 2nd quarter this year. Photos courtesy of Drew Phillips/Autoblog

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI Means a Clean Diesel for Chicago

VW has a new coupe for guys to get their hands on. 

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI is making its way to the Chicago Auto Show but not before it made its debut online.The fuel-efficient diesel coupe is billed as an affordable car for those who want a diesel that isn't a truck (or a Golf).The 2013 Beetle TDI runs on a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with direct injection (the same found in the Jetta TDI and Passat TDI). It puts out 140hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.
Paired to either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission, the clean diesel engine is projected to return a solid 29mpg city and 39mpg highway, however no official EPA numbers have come out yet.

In terms of features and styling, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI features a sunroof, Fender Premium sound system, five-inch touchscreen display with sat-nav and V-Tex Leatherette seating. It sits on a set of 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Volkswagen's latest Beetle is expected to hit the market towards the end of the 2nd quarter this year as a 2013 model. Keep an eye out of it when it makes its debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

BMW M Performance Diesels Arrive: M550d, X5 M50d, X6 M50d

BMW has released official details about their much anticipated M Performance diesel range.

Confirmation of BMW M diesel models has finally arrived, and just like a bus you wait a year for one and then four come at once. Each sport AWD and the tri-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six rated at 375hp and 546lb-ft of torque, but before anyone living stateside gets too excited; be warned: none are slated for the US.The BMW M Performance diesel range includes the M550d xDrive Sedan, M550d xDrive Toruing, X5 M50d and X6 M50d, with the small 'd' indicating 'diesel.'

An eight-speed automatic gearbox features in all models, while xDrive AWD comes as standard. The result is that the M550d sedan can hit 62mph in 4.7 seconds. The M550d Touring manages 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, while the X5 M50d and X6 M50d hits 62mph in 5.4 and 5.3 seconds respectively. All have an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph.Other hallmark features you'd expect of an M Performance range include Auto Start/Stop, ECO PRO mode, M-tuned springs and dampers, bodyshell mounting, engine & transmission mounting, and Servotronic mapping for the hydraulic steering.In addition to the M aero body kits, other styling touches include metallic grey side mirrors, trapezoidal tailpipes, 19- and 20-inch M light alloys in V-design for the M550d and double-spoke design for the X5 and X6 M50d.M model lettering features on the door sills, boot lid, and for the X5/X6 M50d on the instrument cluster and engine cover.On the inside, exclusive M sports seats with contrast stitching and embossed M logo are finished in Black Alcantara/Nappa leather on the X5/X6 and in Grey Shadow Alcantara/Cloth on the M550d.

Other highlights include a gearshift lever boasting the M logo, M leather steering wheel with shift paddles, Anthracite BMW Individual roof liner, interior trim strips in Brushed Aluminum Shadow for the X5/X6 and Aluminum Hexagon on the M550d, and interior sound design that further emphasizes the engine soundtrack.There's a host of options ranging from electrically-operated glass/panoramic sunroof to rear-seat entertainment systems, and a wide array of driver assistance systems and mobility services courtesy of the BMW ConnectedDrive such as BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition (M550d) and rear-view camera with Top View (X5/X6).All four models will make their world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March, shortly followed by a market launch where in Germany they will be sold for around €80,000 to €85,000.

Jaguar Expands XF Range with SE Business and Sport Variants

Jaguar continues to develop their XF diesel models, but still won't bring them to the US. 

Once again, they're only for the UK. Two new editions of the Jaguar XF diesel have just debuted, the SE Business and Sport, and will feature the new 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel unit in different outputs.Based on the Diesel SE trim, the SE Business gets the 161hp version of the 2.2-liter diesel engine and adds a 7-inch touchscreen with sat-nav offering HDD mapping to the standard kit. To recap this includes intelligent Start/Stop, 400 watt sound system, leather and suedecloth seats and bi-Xenon headlights.

More interesting is the Sport XF, which is powered by the more potent 2.2-liter diesel rated at 188hp and adds the full aerodynamic pack from the Diesel S. It can thus be distinguished by a more aggressive front bumper, black grille element, side sill extensions, black rear valance and a subtle boot-lid spoiler.The cabin includes electrically adjustable and heated seats finished in a leather/suede & cloth combo, bond grain trim, a center console with 'Sport' decals in Piano Black trim, stainless steel pedals, heated front windscreen, 60/40 folding rear seats, a reversing camera, and front parking aid.Both variants are in UK showrooms now, with SE Business offered at £31,500 and the Sport priced at £34,950. As Jaguar decided not to sell the diesel engine stateside, it's highly unlikely these special editions will feature on the gas-powered XF.