BMW is reportedly planning a diesel M car. That's right, the M5 D could well be here before 2015. That MINI Cooper SD doesn't seem so outrageous anymore, right?

And before you choke, know that it will also be four-wheel drive. Choke away...

Yes, M Division really is (reportedly) planning a six-cylinder turbodiesel 4x4 M5, making it less 'pure' even than the X6 M. Damn.

But just sit back and think about it for a second. If it comes, it will have about 600lb.ft of torque and more traction than a spider, which means it'll be better at turning your stomach than finding that someone else has been listening to those voice mails you'd saved.

So where does this info come from? Well, a 'well placed source' told the Detroit Bureau that BMW is "looking at" a diesel M car proper. It will, in case it wasn't clear, be the first ever diesel M Car - notwithstanding the fact that almost every diesel BMW in the UK is plastered with M badges.

That source is BMW's global marketing manager, Brian Watts, who stopped short of actually confirming the diesel M's existence, but did say it has "interesting potential."

Interesting probably because it will be awesome. It could use a tuned version of the lauded six-cylinder diesel found in the 535d, with up to 400bhp and, again, 600lb.ft.

Linked to BMW's xDrive 4x4 system and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 0-62mph time won't be allowed to exceed five seconds.

It's also feasible that, in a break from the as-yet-unexplained convention, the diesel will be cheaper than the petrol equivalent, coming in at under £70,000.

Watch this space...

Mark Nichol - 18 Aug 2011