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Diesel Pacifica?
Wouldn't be wonderful if Chrysler brought a Diesel Chrysler Pacifica to the US? An AWD Diesel would just be icing on the cake.
The diesel engine to be available on the Jeep Liberty comes to mind
Is it only me or diesel would be the perfect match for an AWD multi-passenger safe auto, after all, reliability and economy/range would be a great addition to a safe platform and a good investment reason. Don’t understand why every maker goes after big diesels for big SUV/trucks, not everybody wants to do towing, around 150HP would be just great, plenty of torque a safe cruising experience people buy HP but they drive torques anyhow
It would also most probably find and develop a great market niche, there is no AWD diesel 6+ passenger size wagon/SUV//cross in the US, the closest being only the small VW Jetta wagon FWD with 5-.
The diesel engine to be available on the Jeep Liberty comes to mind
Is it only me or diesel would be the perfect match for an AWD multi-passenger safe auto, after all, reliability and economy/range would be a great addition to a safe platform and a good investment reason. Don’t understand why every maker goes after big diesels for big SUV/trucks, not everybody wants to do towing, around 150HP would be just great, plenty of torque a safe cruising experience people buy HP but they drive torques anyhow
It would also most probably find and develop a great market niche, there is no AWD diesel 6+ passenger size wagon/SUV//cross in the US, the closest being only the small VW Jetta wagon FWD with 5-.
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One of the problems with diesels is the amount of supposedly carcenogenic particulates they emit, which is a major reason why environmentalists are fighting diesels in states such as California. Also, the general public remembers diesels mostly for clatter, low HP, smoke and poor cold starts, so the reintroduction of diesels to the States will require some good PR and re-education.
I think a diesel Pacifica is a great idea. We'll probably see this sort of thing gradually, as the States tend to lag Europe in certain technologies (wireless communications and engine technology come to mind).
And starting it at -20 deg Celsius (approximately -20 to -30 deg Farenheit I guess) in Canada should be a "nice" experience.
Carcenogenic stuff doesn't help ...
-20C? Hmmm... Don't know about that, however, I know that -50 F is no problem for a TDI VW ungaraged. No starting problems whatsoever.
If anyone knows different, pass it along.
Regarding applications in modern cars - I'd drive a diesel again if:
1) it wasn't much louder than a gas engine;
2) the gas stations had pumps that didn't have diesel oil spreading all over. For some reason, the diesel pump very often seemed to have a thin film of the oil all over
3) emissions controls could keep the soot under control.
-SanFranDan
There is virtually no soot at all.
The high pressure injection using common rail or unit injectors are vewy, vewy quiet compared to older diesel, and comparable to many gasoline engines. For example the TDI in VW is quieter than 2.0 gas VW at speed and a bit louder at idle. My Mazda Protege has more engine noise than my TDI Golf.
Unfortunately there is a tendency for the diesel pumps to be messy. Not sure why.
Probably because most vehicles fueled at these pumps are trucks and contractor vehicles. Not as careful on fillup as most car drivers. Also, diesel doesn't evaporate as quickly as gasoline. The gasoline evaporates off soon after a spill but the diesel stays around a while.