We are aware of the login problems affecting the forums, and appreciate your patience as we work on a fix.
Did you recently purchase a new Tesla, Rivian or Lucid vehicle directly from the manufacturer and willing to share how your experience compared to previous vehicle purchases made through a traditional dealer? A reporter would like to speak with you; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 2/19 for details.

Diesels in the News

1155156158160161171

Comments

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    link title

    Off the showroom floor. 1139 km (708 miles) 14 gals= average speed of 68.95 mph
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Volkswagon To Bring The Polo To The US

    12.7k !!?? If so this will be SOOOOOOOOOOOO hard to beat for those hyper milers !!
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Volkswagen
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    quote-
    Audi today announced that TDI clean diesel technology will be a featured
    segment on the Discovery Communications program, "How It's Made" premiering on
    Science Channel on Friday, September 18, 2009, 9 p.m. ET/PT, with an encore
    broadcast on the Discovery Channel on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 7:30 and
    11:30 p.m. ET/PT.-end
    Audi diesel on "How it's Made"

    Should be interesting to see!
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    Nice find! I'll have to tune in on for this one.
  • bigmclargehugebigmclargehuge Member Posts: 377
    They'd better hurry up and complete the line-up then. A3 and Q7 can't carry that weight by themselves.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    The Q5 with 2.0L would be interesting to me. Don't need a fire breathing V6 with urea.
  • bigmclargehugebigmclargehuge Member Posts: 377
    I would really like an A6 or A7 3.0 TDI in the US market.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    It would be nice to have an A6 AWD highway cruiser that gets to 40 MPG. The Q7 TDI is doing well so I would expect they would bring one of their big sedans over with the same engine.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Thanks, good review. When I first saw your post I wondered why they did not pit the GL against the Q7. When I read the article I see it is the GL. Which is basically a stretched version of the ML...

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    European automakers consider the electro-diesel option

    quote-
    At the other end of the performance spectrum is Volkswagen's L1 concept, a hyper-light, tandem-seat oil-burner, like a bobsled for the road. Getting its world premiere in Frankfurt, the L1 is powered by a small, two-cylinder turbocharged direct-injection (TDI) diesel engine and a small electric motor.

    The L1's marquee number: 170 mpg, or about four times that of a Honda Insight hybrid. If it comes to market as planned in 2013, the VW L1 could claim the title of most fuel efficient passenger car on the road.

    It would also be one of the cleanest. On a carbon-gram-per-mile basis -- that's the emissions metric that Europeans are most concerned with -- electro-diesels can outperform the thriftiest gas hybrids on the planet.
    -end
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    VW has managed to build a car uglier than the Prius. The compensation is much better mileage and cleaner emissions.

    Wolfsburg / Frankfurt, 15 September 2009 - Technological breakthrough for the 1-litre fuel consumption car: International Motor Show (IAA), Volkswagen is presenting the concept of the future L1 in a world premiere that points the way toward the production version. The full hybrid vehicle weighs just 380 kilograms thanks to its carbon-fibre reinforced body (CFRB). With a combined fuel consumption figure of 1.38 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, this extremely aerodynamic (Cd 0.195!) Volkswagen suitable for everyday use is intended to become the most fuel-efficient automobile in the world. CO2 emissions of the 160 km/h L1 are similarly low at 36 g/km.

    Volkswagen is making a clear statement at the IAA in Frankfurt (September 17 to 27) with the second generation of this ingenious car: The L1 represents a step forward into the future with completely new technology and a new design; revolutionary yet close to production readiness.


    image

    image

    That is a whopping 170 MPG US.
  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    Now beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as we all know. So.............I have to say that I rather like that. Ugly ? Well, yes, but in a high-tech sort of way; form following function etc. My initial thoughts are VW Bug mates with Mercedes C-111. Doubt the "production" version will be quite as clean as this, (at least not for USA - no chrome), but you never know. Those crazy Germans are well known for their sense of humour. :)

    Apologies for the chrome quip. That was a cheap shot and I guess most consumers view excess chrome in the same way that bees view aqualungs.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Motoring Memories: American diesel cars

    What an impact GM has made on diesel in North America!
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    2012 Volvo Diesel Electric

    quote NYT-
    Volvo’s first production plug-in hybrid, to be on European roads by 2012, will be a diesel with 30 miles of all-electric range. It will also have a whopping 745 miles of range on batteries plus the diesel engine and what Volvo says is the fuel economy equivalent of more than 120 miles a gallon. No decision has been reached about a possible American version. -end quote
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    You must have too much time on your hands, now that the UAW topic has slowed down somewhat...:):):):)
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    The diesel threads are my roots here at Edmund's. The rest is just when it is slow news for diesels. I just got back to my motel from the Big Heads at Mt Rushmore. Had a wonderful Filet Mignon and back on the road in the morning to Minnesota. Got to check on the farm. I wish I did have a diesel SUV for this trip. This Sequoia has such a short range. I am getting just over 19 MPG which is great for this be hunk of iron. Still stopping for gas every 325 miles is a pain.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    Well, I found your experiences and your comraderie quite valuable in the UAW topic...as I was being driven into the ground by the "rah-rah" crowd, my "brilliant insights" were being well supported by your real world experience with unions and the Big 3 products that were, shall we say, "quality free"... ;)
  • bigmclargehugebigmclargehuge Member Posts: 377
    38% take-rate on the Q7 TDI for September.

    Which is okay, except the Q7 is still down versus last year. So while its not exactly 'propping up' sales, it is:

    a few more dollars in Audi's pocket,
    more cause to continue producing TDIs for the US, and
    more diesels on the road (good for word-of-mouth and PR),

    http://www.audiusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1544

    So hopefully those lucky ~300 owners are enjoying it. :D
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    68% of sales in Canada during month of September for the Jetta Sedan TDI and Sportwagen TDI were diesel. Wow.
  • bigmclargehugebigmclargehuge Member Posts: 377
    Do you have the break-out, sedan vs sportwagen %?

    And yes, Wow!

    Anyone have the US or total NA break-out for VW?
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Customers Line Up for Audi A3 TDI

    The ’10 Audi A3 turbodiesel goes on sale in late November, but it will take six months for new buyers to take delivery.

    That's because Audi dealers have a half-year of advance orders to fill before new customers can be accommodated, says Carter Balkcom, product manager for the new model.
  • easym1easym1 Member Posts: 218
    I wonder what's going to happen if the NA carmakers starts selling diesel cars on all its lineup?
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    I wonder what's going to happen if the NA carmakers starts selling diesel cars on all its lineup?

    Jetta TDI SportWagen Overwhelmed

    Diesels won't sell in NA, wagons don't sell in NA say the naysayer's.

    Shhhh, don't tell VW.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    I wonder what's going to happen if the NA carmakers starts selling diesel cars on all its lineup?

    Cruze diesel

    There are no plans for Ford, GM or Chrysler to offer diesel in NA cars any time soon.

    If Chevrolet offered a diesel in the NA Cruze as they do in other markets I'd bet it would be a hit.
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    The A3 diesel is automatic only and $30K.

    Automatic fail. Next...
  • bigmclargehugebigmclargehuge Member Posts: 377
    It's also FWD only.

    Which should mean they haven't fully completed integrating the engine for Audi. Even VW can mate a 6MT to a TDI.

    Hopefully they'll have an A3 TDI quattro manual in 2010.
  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    It's also FWD only.

    Which should mean they haven't fully completed integrating the engine for Audi. Even VW can mate a 6MT to a TDI.

    Hopefully they'll have an A3 TDI quattro manual in 2010.


    I can only presume that the "Auto only" stance is purely Marketing driven; ("Hey guys, Americans prefer auto 'boxes so don't bother with the manuals, they're only a niche market"). Pure guesswork on my part.

    However, it is definitely not a technical problem. There are lots and lots of manual A3's here in Europe; gasser or diesel. In fact, on some of the lower-spec models, auto is not even an option. The Quattro versions exist in gasser, diesel, manual or auto. Just tick the boxes you want.

    Same tech stuff is offered throughout the whole family : Audi, VW, SEAT, Skoda. Just different body design/trims. Because you guys in The Colonies, (sorry), don't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    My dream car is the 2010 Audi A4 Allroad TDI with the 2.0L engine. It is a big hit in the EU.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Because you guys in The Colonies, (sorry), don't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

    AAHHH ! I love that dry British humor ! Always good to hear from our brother from across the pond.

    As I understand it the A3 uses VW underpinnings, is this correct? If so, I believe I would opt for the VW variant instead and drive around with a smile on my face along with a big sack of cash as ballast.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • bigmclargehugebigmclargehuge Member Posts: 377
    Because you guys in The Colonies, (sorry), don't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

    I wasn't implying that it didn't. I just didn't clarify that I meant for the US.

    Should have said: if VW can put a manaul FWD in the Jetta... in the US... they ought to be able to do it in an A3.

    I was only emphasising that it could be done, and is done. In the US. Already.

    But all 3 German manufs. not only hold back on models, but options when combined w/ diesel.

    Examples:
    335d in auto/RWD only
    A3 in auto/FWD only

    not in 1-series, 5-series, A4, A6, Q5, at all. They must believe the sampling represents the whole, and are taking a 'wait-and-see' approach.

    If they just offered what you had here, my hardest decision would be which one to buy; 535d, A4 TDI, or A3 TDI quattro.
  • sivicmansivicman Member Posts: 32
    My dream truck would be a compact pick-up (Ranger size) from Honda with a 6' bed, extracab, 2WD, 6-speed manual, with Honda's 2.2 diesel. Like I said my dream, cause I know it will never happen. :cry:
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Honda T360
    image

    It does not have a diesel. It is a Honda Truck.
  • sivicmansivicman Member Posts: 32
    Hey, that will work. I like it!
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    quote Wards--
    Volvo Cars of North America Inc. will offer a U.S.-market version of its plug-in diesel hybrid planned for Europe in 2012.
    Doug Speck, VCNA president and CEO, confirms the rollout in an interview with Ward’s. But he declines to reveal when the PHEV, based on the Volvo V70 wagon, will hit U.S. shores.
    Volvo says the PHEV will be able to run up to 31 miles (50 km) on electric power before its diesel engine kicks in. The car’s lithium-ion battery will take about five hours to recharge from a household wall socket. A battery supplier for the vehicle has yet to be announced.
    Volvo expects costly batteries will push the price tag on its PHEV “considerably higher” than a conventional diesel-powered car.-end
    Plug-in diesel hybrid
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    That might be an excellent TDI alternative. Just find one with dead batteries and run it as a pure diesel. Roughly 40 mpg (converted to U.S. gallons) average. And probably dirt cheap with a dead battery pack.
  • scwmcanscwmcan Member Posts: 399
    Actually I read a report that Volvo was going to bring deisel cars (ithout the hybrid) over here as well (though it was on Autoblog so...)
  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    I stand corrected and apologise for misunderstanding the intent of your post. You are absolutely correct, all of the above are common fare here in EULand. The German Big 3 have diesel options on just about every range and lots of manuals, (but not quite all - can't quite envisage the McLaren Mercedes SLR going oil-burner + manual but it could be fun).

    You folks are poorly served by the German manfrs and their "Marketing" people. Their sampling would seem to be woeful...............always assuming they do any, of course.

    For houdini1 - yes the underpinnings are common across the whole VAG range of marques; Audi/VW/Skoda/SEAT. They each have their own body styles and trims, (but share lots of parts-bin stuff), and little tweaks but strip the glitz away and you'd be hard-pressed to tell 'em apart. Here in the UK, Skoda is generally perceived as better quality than VW, (and Audi), both in terms of build and dealer service but is a lower cost marque, (as is SEAT). In terms of cost the pecking order is Audi - VW - Skoda/SEAT. Money buys the Audi, common sense buys the Skoda or SEAT. Until recently there were three Skodas and a Jazz (Fit) in my family; now there are just two 'cos I bought a Volvo S60 D5. My wife would offload me before the Jazz and the two Skodas just plough on regardless.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Please don't tell me that the Jazz is a diesel.

    With the anti diesel political climate in the U.S. it is hard to fault the Euro Mfgs. for not wanting to invest in diesel in the U.S. The various Fed. enviro regulators raise the bar each year as to what they will allow...and then each indiv. state has the option to make the regs. even more strenuous, so it is nearly impossible for them to hit the continuously moving target. IMO our big oil/gas companies are content to sell gasoline and stay away from diesel...and have the politicians in their pocket.

    I will not take the oil shortage seriously when we could change over to diesel and save 35% of our usage almost overnight. Special interest groups and corrupt politicians have almost ruined us. It goes far beyond energy. It is pervasive.

    The most obvious examples of corruption can be found in oil, finance, health care, and real estate. The reason for this are the same as that famous bank robber once quipped, "Because that is where the money is".

    The golden goose is almost cooked. Our government is essentially in the process of nationalizing our health care (insurance) industry, our auto mfg. industry, our finance and banking industry our mortgage/real estate industry, and our energy industry. What's left?

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • bigmclargehugebigmclargehuge Member Posts: 377
    No worries, I sometimes overlook a point that I could have clarified.

    My frustration is indeed with the German marketing people. Now that they sell 4 diesel engines in the US:
    2.0TDI ,
    3.0TDI,
    3.0 Advanced Diesel ,
    3.0 CDI....

    why can't we even order any car with these engines? Why does it have to be a pre-allocated vehicle? i.e. one that the marketing geniuses allowed to enter the US?

    US techs already know how to service the same engine in say, the 335d. Why can't I order a 335d x-drive with European delivery? Costs them $0.00 for me to go pick it up. I'm sure servicing the engine is no different. And yet it is not allowed.
    :confuse:

    It just seems so odd that 3 german luxo-car makers that make their profit off of options... don't allow much optioning of diesel vehicles. Its backwards from all their other cars, and a big turn-off for me.
  • agrawalagrawal Member Posts: 49
    I have 09 MB GL320, second time car went to gas station. I was on diesel pump (last in the corner) and started filling half way thru found out one side which I was using had gas. Now car get towed to MB dealer and costing me $800 just to clean up the fuel from the tank. I did not even finish filling, did not started the car and still costing me $800. and if you drove with diesel then will end up spending $6000-$8000. The system is very delicate and does not like gas at all. People have made mistake like some one borrowed a diesel vehicle, full serive station pumping gas in diesel, spouse driving gasoline picked up the diesel and end up filling and commit a grave mistake. MB does not even says what really need to be done and dealer are charging whatever they want. You can not take chance because is expensive vehicle and you can ruin your warranty. I will update once car get fixed.
  • bigmclargehugebigmclargehuge Member Posts: 377
    Please tell me you are joking?

    How is this a bad side of new diesel technology? Wouldn't the opposite be true, that all gasoline-powered vehicles have a 'bad side' because they don't like drinking diesel?

    Yes, all gasoline engines are poorly built because they don't accept other fuels.

    LOL-FAIL!

    I'm not sure if it is still possible with all the emissions controls on modern diesels, but some people I know used to cut heavy-duty diesel fuel with kerosene, benzene, even gasoline in the winter to prevent gelling.

    I'll bet on an MB they would not cover it under warranty if they found out you were running it on anything other than 100% highway diesel.

    How much would say 10% gasoline in a diesel fuel mix hurt it? Fuels are hydrocarbon mixtures anyway, there is no specific 'diesel' molecule. Just curious if anyone has references.
  • agrawalagrawal Member Posts: 49
    I am not joking, I called several MB dealership almost all said the same. New technology does not like even an ounce of gas. I will update once problem sorted out. Read steve's response in other forum.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    You will want to be very careful about accidentally filling your tank with water also. This is another shortcoming of the new diesel technology. Water is very abundant and can be found almost anywhere...BEWARE !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

Sign In or Register to comment.