Rest In Peace, old friend, your work is finished.......
If you want on or off the DIESEL "KNOCK" LIST just FReepmail me........
This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days......
Posted on 11/16/2006 11:54:17 AM PST by Red Badger
KALAMAZOO, Mich., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- For decades, diesel engines were associated with plumes of thick black smoke and loud noise created from the heavy machinery and trucks they powered.
Carmakers are hoping that image is about to change, however.
With the advent of a new, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel that burns 97 percent cleaner than previous low-sulfur diesels, they are looking to significantly increase the number of passenger vehicles that run on diesel fuel.
J.D. Power & Associates is expecting the U.S. market for diesels to grow from 3.6 percent this year, or about 600,000 vehicles, to about 9 percent in 2013, or 1.66 million vehicles. By 2015, the group is projecting diesel cars to have a 12 percent market share.
"Demand for diesel cars is up after the recent spikes in gas prices," said Kevin Riddell, an analyst with J.D. Power and Associates. "The challenge now is to make consumers realize the quiet dependability of the new diesel engines."
In January, new diesel engine regulations will force automakers to cut emissions by as much as 95 percent. As a result, new diesel-powered vehicles will run smoother and quieter than previous models.
Eron Shosteck, of the Diesel Technology Forum, calls ULSD "the great enabler" when referring to the way the fuel has enticed automakers to increase the number of models that use the fuel.
"There is a direct correlation between this new fuel and the predicted rise in passenger cars that use ULSD," Shosteck said. "The fuel is the catalyst."
Europe, where nearly 50 percent of cars run on diesel fuel, has for decades been a leader in the use of diesel technology, Riddell said. But Detroit should be catching on soon, he said.
Ford Motor Co. offers several diesel heavy-duty pickups, such as the F-250 and 350 pickups, and is planning to make it available in the popular F-150.
General Motors Corp. offers several diesel heavy-duty trucks and is planning to offer V-8 diesel engines for use in light-duty pickups after 2009.
Even Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co. -- long known for its fuel-efficient models -- has said it plans to introduce a diesel vehicle within three years capable of meeting California's emissions standards, which are the strictest in the nation.
"Diesel engines have the fuel economy that people want," said Susan Garazadlia, manager of communications for GM Powertrain, the automaker's engine and transmission development arm. "In the future, we could even see SUV's that run on diesel."
Under normal driving conditions, diesel engines get about 25 percent better gas mileage than gasoline engines, Garazadlia said, adding that their dependability should also be attractive to consumers.
Still, automakers will need to overcome initial price premiums, which can be more than $1,000 for passenger cars to about $4,000 for trucks, and tough emissions standards in states such as California and Massachusetts.
Currently, the cost to refine and distribute ULDS, which has been available at service stations since Oct. 15, is about 4 to 5 cents more expensive than the old diesel.
But the benefits for carmakers could far outweigh the initial challenges, Riddell said.
"Carmakers could significantly expand their market scope by getting on-board with the new diesel movement," he said. "The new regulations are going to force them to develop engines that meet the new requirements. "One day, we might even see luxury cars that run on diesel."
Rest In Peace, old friend, your work is finished.......
If you want on or off the DIESEL "KNOCK" LIST just FReepmail me........
This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days......
Gotta love the ignorance of the press. There is no group of people quite so universally and appallingly stupid.
I am still surprised that we don't see diesel electric hybrids taking off.
A diesel is optimum when running under a fixed load at a fixed speed, which is what a generator demands.
I would think that a diesel hybrid would get better mileage than a gas hybrid. In addition, a move to bio-diesel would add to the benefit.
Just wait until they come out with the clean tofu cars. That is engines that run on soy. lol
I think previously it was due to cost. Diesel engines cost a premium as well as hybrids. The added cost of both, although probably economical in the long, will make a large initial cost difference.
Today the ULSD and other pollution requirements have pushed back most diesel engines in the US. The manufactures will catch back up, but very few are available today.
and just as they are about to catch up on the particulate and NOx issues - EPA and CARB will move the ball further away.
No truer words ever spoken. The depth of journalists' ignorance has yet to be plumbed.
"In the future, we could even see SUV's that run on diesel."
Like the 2007 Grand Cherokee?
"One day, we might even see luxury cars that run on diesel."
One day?
Try Mercedes Benz going back a long time.
The current issue of "Auto Week" features the new E Series Diesel, available in the US.
320 D, a six cyl. turbo diesel, meeting 45 states air quality standards, costing $1,000 more than the gas version.
Two year payback, for the price increment.
Same performance, from awesome 400 lb. ft. torque.
BTW Audi dominates LeMans 24 Hours race, won by their Diesel.
Day late and dollar short. I'm on my second VW TDI. Hybrids are marketing products, they'll promise anything if you'll just buy one. Nirvana will arrive when everyone has one.
Either we are equal or we are not. Good people should be armed where they will, with wits and guns. NRA KMA
What actual MPG do you get with your TDI, and how's the maintenance ? I've been thinking of getting one.
Cadilacs and Toronados come to mind.
Mileage ranges from 43 mpg (winter local) to 56 mpg (Interstate 80 mph cruise). My winter is probably a bit lower than most since I live on a 20 sq. mile islandwith 100 days sub-freezing.
Maintenance, periodic; 10,000 mile interval, highly specified oil, oil filter, fuel filter. My current miles are 75K. Major service interval is 100K, _requires_ timing belt change.
Maintenance, emergent; none.
Mine's a 2003 Jetta Wagen TDI, the best model and year for mileage and reliability. Mileage has gone down since and with the pumpe deuse (an injection scheme) engine.
http://www.tdiclub.com
Thanks, that's just what I wanted to know. And mucho thanks for the link.
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