...an announcement I received recently.... December 2005 YANMAR AND BMW ENGINE SUPPLY AGREEMENT YANMAR CO LTD and BMW AG, German manufacturer of luxury vehicles, have agreed that BMW will supply four and six cylinder Diesel engines designed for high performance use to YANMAR MARINE INTERNATIONAL BV as the base engine for the new YANMAR MARINE product line. This agreement enables YANMAR to have the most advanced marine engines for its product range. Customers will be in the position to benefit from the joint efforts of two of the most reputable companies in their respective fields of operation with a product that will set new standards in the Marine industry. YANMAR is aiming to introduce this new fully electronic range of Premium Marine Diesel Engines in the market around mid-2006. The engine will be 'Marinized' and marketed under the Yanmar label. We have had our eye on the BMW diesel six for 2-3 years now.Rumour had it, two Austrians, in the vicinity of the BMW Steyr plant where they are made, have been running the 'Hot Rod Six' in their boats. BMW's 3.0 litre diesel six cylinder engine has received world wide acclaim from the Automotive press and the Automotive engineering communities. BMW is recognized as the leader in Diesel engine design in the world. Europeans can option the 'Hot Rod Six in the 530d sedan and the X5. This engine is not available in North America BMW vehicles. Soon we hear. To read more on this famous engine, visit : http://www.autointell-news.com/.../bmw-x5-3l-diesel.htm And for those interested in higher technical information visit : http://www.germancarfans.com/.../1.html Brian Eiland beiland@usa.net www.RunningTideYachts.com distinctive expedition yachts