Diesel News: POST HERE

[Bill Beers]

The M550xd I'd buy in a heartbeat.
So far nobody has offered an AWD diesel passenger car in the US.

Charlie

You can get a S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, if you're willing to pay the &92K-ish MSRP.

 

[charlieaarons]

You can get a S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, if you're willing to pay the &92K-ish MSRP.

Thanks!
I called the dealer and am doing a test drive.

Charlie

 

[Bill Beers]

I wonder if I can get a referral fee from your dealer!

I hope you like it! One more Daimler for your stable!

 

[charlieaarons]

I've got my local BMW dealer lady "bugging" BMW USA re a customer that wants a M550xd. It would be a nice daily driver for me.
The X5 35d is for my wife. Right now I drive an 01 325xi wagon to work.
Also I'm on the waiting list for a Proffitt's HZJ79 pickup, with lockers etc etc. Any thoughts about turbo vs. nat. aspirated with a rebuilt 1HZ engine?? 4.10 gears, 33 or 34" tires, H55F.

Charlie

 

[marcus469]

1988 2l TE Landcruiser in England

I'm considering getting this and bringing it back, got family down the road from it so would be doable. I owned an HJ60 and kicked myself for selling it and not importing it over.

Never seen one of these over here.



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110842151861?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619#ht_802wt_1173

 

[haven]

Mercedes will install its 2.1L four cylinder turbodiesel in the company's small SUV, the GLK. Paired with a 7 speed transmission and stop-start technology*, the small diesel should produce very good mpg numbers. A 4Matic all wheel drive system will be an option. The GLK with 2.1L turbodiesel will be called the GLK 250 BlueTec. It will be available early in calendar year 2013.

The 2.1L diesel is rated to produce 369 ft-lb of torque. That's down from the torque produced by the six cylinder 3.0L turbodiesels from Mercedes, BMW and VW/Audi. But it should be enough to make the GLK fun to drive.


*Stop-start refers to the vehicle's ability to shut off the engine when waiting at a traffic light, then start up automatically when you release the brake and press the accelerator.

 

[haven]

According to the Detroit Free Press, Ford just announced that the new full size Transit van will have a diesel engine option. Ford didn't say which diesel engine would be used. In Europe, the Transit can be purchased with several diesel engines, the largest of which is a 3.2L inline 5 cylinder. Ford didn't say when the diesel would be available in the Transit, either.

The other announced engine option for the Transit is the EcoBoost V6 gas engine, which has 400+ ft-lb of torque, and has proven to be very popular in the F150 pickup. I'm guessing the diesel will have smaller displacement and less torque, and be turned for maximum mpg.

Let's hope enough buyers choose the diesel. That would encourage Ford to offer the same diesel option in other car and truck models.

http://www.freep.com/article/20120327/BUSINESS0102/120327046/1014/business01

 

[haven]

According to Autoblog Green, Mercedes service centers charge $32 for a gallon of their diesel exhaust fluid. A full service, including flushing the DEF system and refilling with DEF, costs $300.

My local Auto Zone sells 2.5 gallon jugs of DEF for $11.99, or about $4.80 a gallon. The DEF tank refill cap is easy to find.

http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/2...l-emissions-fluid-can-cost-up-to-32-a-gallon/

 

[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/volvo-details-the-v60-plug-in-hybrid-ahead-of-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]

diesel vehicles in USA, Spring 2012

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.