BMW won’t bring diesel versions of its redesigned X1 and X2 to Australia, but the technology is far from dead in Australia.
Despite diesels being withdrawn from the 3 Series (in 2019), 5 Series (in 2023) and 7 Series (in 2022) model lines in Australia, the company says there’s still a place for them.
“BMW diesels – which balance efficiency, vast driving range and substantial towing capacity on certain variants – continue to play an important role in the line-ups of our larger sports activity vehicles, the X3, X5, X6 and X7,” said a BMW Australia spokesperson.
As to why it won’t offer diesel versions of the new X1 and X2 in Australia, BMW indicated it was prioritising electric versions of these vehicles.
X2 sDrive20d
“The high volume of new BMW models introduced to the local market prompts us to constantly assess our product portfolio in line with customer demand and our commitment to offering products that suit individual needs,” said a BMW Australia spokesperson.
“This has led us to restructure certain model line-ups for 2024.
“A key focus for the BMW X1 and X2 – as per other model lines – is to offer customers a range of fully electric variants that are exempt from both Luxury Car Tax (LCT) for fuel efficient vehicles and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) for fleet operators.
“We already offer the iX1 xDrive30 that is priced below the threshold, and in the coming months we will introduce the similarly positioned iX1 eDrive20, iX2 xDrive30 and iX2 eDrive20.”
X1 sDrive18d
In Europe, the X1 is offered with a range of turbo-diesel engines in addition to petrol and plug-in hybrid options.
In sDrive18d guise, the X1 uses a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 110kW of power and 360Nm of torque.
The all-wheel drive, mild-hybrid xDrive20d upgrades to a 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, while the xDrive23d produces 155kW and 400Nm.
The sDrive18d and xDrive20d powertrains are both available in the X2 as well.
X3 xDrive30d
With no diesel X1 and X2 models forthcoming, that leaves only the X3, X5, X6 and X7 with the option of a diesel in Australia.
The X3 offers a choice of four- or six-cylinder turbo-diesel engines, while the X5, X6 and X7 all offer an optional six-cylinder turbo-diesel.
While the X3 diesels no longer have competition from oil-burning versions of the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC60 and Genesis GV70 in Australia, Audi still offers diesel versions of its popular Q5.
BMW’s larger diesel SUVs still face competition from diesel versions of the Audi Q7 and Q8, Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS, and various Land Rover models.
MORE: Everything BMW X1
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