In Europe, the diesel engine has been a staple in automobiles due to its fuel efficiency and the price of gasoline. However, there are relatively few diesel cars in the U.S. even though the engines are common in heavy-duty trucks.

BMW has confirmed that it will be producing the first diesel vehicle to ever wear the M badge in the company's performance vehicle line. BMW will be producing a diesel-powered M5 next spring that will feature three turbochargers. The same engine will also be used in other BMW vehicles like the X5 and X6 crossovers.

The Detroit Bureau reports that the vehicle will be called the 550dM or the 550dXM with the latter featuring an all-wheel drive system. The Detroit Bureau also reports that the diesel engine would be a version of the current straight-six diesel beefed up for M duty.

If the engine is in fact a straight six, it will reportedly use one small turbo to build boost for launch, while two larger turbos will come online for extra mid-range and high-end power. 

The publication also claims that sources have told it that the 550dM will make "slightly less" power than the gasoline M5's rated 560 HP output with final numbers expected to be in the 500 to 550 HP range. However, the torque output will be massive at up to 650 lb-ft. The copious torque is pointed to as the reason for the all-wheel drive option.

"You have to go to all-wheel-drive,” explained one senior BMW official, “otherwise you’ll be spinning your tires all day."

GM will be producing a diesel version of the Cruze as well, though it is far from a performance vehicle. However, this shows that the trend in using diesel engines in the U.S. is growing.