Diesel News: POST HERE

[haven]

Autoblog Green has another story about diesel technology today.

Ford outfitted a Fiesta with a 1.6L turbodiesel, then added stop-start technology, regenerative brakes, some aerodynamic aids, and low rolling resistance tires. Resulting fuel economy in the EU tests: 3.3L/100km. That's 71 mpg (US gallons).

In this application, the 1.6L diesel produces about 150 ft-lb of torque. The Ford Fiesta sold in USA has a 1.6L Duratec gas engine that produces 112 ft-lb at 5000 rpm, and is rated at 38-40 mpg highway by the EPA. Sounds to me like the turbodiesel would be considerably more fuel efficient, and more fun to drive.

Ford is starting production of the diesel Fiesta as part of the company's ECOnetic Technology initiative. It will be interesting to see how much Ford charges for the special equipment that helps produce such impressive mpg numbers.

[lowenbrau]

Autoblog Green has another story about diesel technology today.

Ford outfitted a Fiesta with a 1.6L turbodiesel, then added stop-start technology, regenerative brakes, some aerodynamic aids, and low rolling resistance tires. Resulting fuel economy in the EU tests: 3.3L/100km. That's 71 mpg (US gallons).

In this application, the 1.6L diesel produces about 150 ft-lb of torque. The Ford Fiesta sold in USA has a 1.6L Duratec gas engine that produces 112 ft-lb at 5000 rpm, and is rated at 38-40 mpg highway by the EPA. Sounds to me like the turbodiesel would be considerably more fuel efficient, and more fun to drive.

Ford is starting production of the diesel Fiesta as part of the company's ECOnetic Technology initiative. It will be interesting to see how much Ford charges for the special equipment that helps produce such impressive mpg numbers.

I was wondering how a non hybrid used regenerative breaking so I went and read the press release. Ford calls it Smart Regenerative Charging It turns out to be nothing more than bumping up the charge voltage of the alternator when breaking and decelerating which by itself isn't overly impressive but if they can vary charging based on whether the rig is accelerating for decelerating it probably helps a bit. Sub 4l/100km is pretty good from a rig which has all the features and comforts that this one does. Doesn't look bad for an econobox either.

[haven]

http://green.autoblog.com/2011/02/21...-geneva-debut/

Volvo is ready to put the V60 diesel-electric hybrid into production. Distribution will be limited to Europe at first. No price was announced.

Some specs: Turbo 2.5L straight 5 cylinder diesel engine driving the front wheels, electric motor powering the rear wheels, combined torque 450 ft-lb, 0-60 in less than 7 seconds, through-the-road AWD, plug-rechargeable battery, 32 mile range on electricity only.

[haven]

Porsche has released details for the 2013 Cayenne diesel SUV. The 3.0L turbodiesel is the same engine used in the VW Tourareg and Audi Q7 SUVs, and produces 405 ft lb of torque. Using a 7 speed automatic and all wheel drive, the diesel Cayenne will be rated at 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, according to Porsche. The diesel Cayenne price will start at $56K.

[haven]

Here's the list of diesel-powered passenger cars and light trucks available now (or soon) in USA. Did I miss any?

Passenger cars

announced, coming in 2013
Chevrolet Cruze
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Mazda CX-5
Mercedes GLK 250 BlueTEC

2013
Porsche Cayenne Diesel

2012
Audi A3 TDI 2.0 Premium
Audi Q7 TDI 3.0 Premium
BMW 335d
BMW X5 xDrive35d
Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC
Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC
Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTEC SUV
Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTEC Crossover
Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC Sedan
Volkswagen Golf TDI Clean Diesel
Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel
Volkswagen Passat TDI
Volkswagen Touareg TDI Sport


Light Trucks

Announced, not yet available
Ford Transit van

2012
Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo, Passenger Van
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD pickup
Dodge Ram 2500/3500 pickup
Ford F-250/350 Super Duty pickup
GMC Savana 2500/3500 Cargo, Passenger Van
GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD pickup
Mercedes Sprinter 2500 Cargo, Passenger Van

[Bill Beers]

This is really picking nits, but you could add a /3500 to the sprinter listing.

[haven]

http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/04/benz-s350/

Here's a review of the 2012 Mercedes S350.
Some specs: 3.0L V6 diesel, 450 ft-lb of torque, 7 speed trans, all wheel drive, EPA 25/31 mpg, $94K

The reviewer recorded 25 mpg city, 32 mpg on long highway runs.

[scootr29]

http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/04/benz-s350/

Here's a review of the 2012 Mercedes S350.
Some specs: 3.0L V6 diesel, 450 ft-lb of torque, 7 speed trans, all wheel drive, EPA 25/31 mpg, $94K

The reviewer recorded 25 mpg city, 32 mpg on long highway runs.

Not bad for a 5000+ pound AWD car.....I am getting a 2012 ML350 Bluetec in a month...I will report back on my numbers.

[haven]

Automobile Magazine speculates that Audi will debut a new 4.2L V8 turbo diesel in the redesigned Q7 SUV, which will appear in the 2014 model year. The 3.0L V6 will continue as the base diesel in the big Q.

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...s_the_q_range/

This news is interesting, as it suggests that the German auto manufacturers are about to expand their competition from gas engines to diesels. If Audi offers a V8 diesel, I expect Mercedes and BMW to answer. I expect a 4.2L turbo diesel should produce about 600 ft lb of torque.

Other manufacturers could follow suit. Toyota has a 4.5L V8 diesel. Ford has developed a 4.4L V8 diesel, and Cummins has a 5.0L V8 diesel sitting on the shelf.

[charlieaarons]

BMW already tried a V8 diesel in the 7 series sedan. The fuel mileage was much worse than the 3.0L 6 cyl and the power output from the 3.0L is "more than adequate", so they dropped it. This is in their European offerings of course.
What I'd like to see is more small diesels in small cars. i.e. BMW 320d; and more AWD/diesel passenger cars.
My next vehicle is a HZJ79 Landcruiser pickup from Proffitt's.

Charlie