(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CNET)
It's taken many years, but we've finally gotten a few diesel cars to choose from in the U.S. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen are all offering versions of their cars with diesel engines, and from what we've seen the fuel economy can be impressive. And unlike older diesel cars, these new models have good acceleration and no black soot spewing from the exhaust.
The BMW 123d isn't sold in the U.S., and that's a shame for a variety of reasons.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET)
With falling gas prices dampening enthusiasm for alternative fuels, and poor economic conditions causing automakers to tighten their belts, plans for new diesel car launches in the U.S. have slowed. However, diesel engine cars still present a good option over gasoline-powered cars, generally getting much better fuel economy. Although automakers scaled back their plans, Bosch, which makes diesel engine components, still wants to change the perception of diesel cars in the U.S. so the public will be more receptive, and even demanding of this technology from automakers.
To that end, Bosch loaned us a 2007 BMW 123d, a car you can't currently get in the U.S., so we could see how it performed in comparison with gasoline cars. Combating the image of soot-spewing diesel trucks, Bosch adopted the slogan "good, clean fun" for its diesel technology, and the BMW 123d was a means to make sure we had some fun.
BMW started selling its 1-series car in the U.S. last year, as the 128 and 135, in coupe and convertible formats. While we found both cars to be very enjoyable, the 123d is a hatchback, a style that makes much more sense with the diminutive sports car. Increased rear headroom makes the cars rear seats more usable, although still tight, and the hatchback means you have substantially more cargo area. After driving the 123d, we really wish BMW would bring the 1-series hatchback to the U.S., with a diesel or gas engine. It didn't hurt that this 123d was also fitted with an M kit, meaning a sport-tuned suspension.
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Convergence: The occurrence of two or more things coming together. In this case, cars and couches, shoes and bathtubs, and last but not least, showers and aquariums. Try to wrap your brain around that!
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EPISODE 137 |
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(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CNET)
We were incredibly impressed by the diesel version of BMW's 3-series, although a lot of that had to do with the car's updated iDrive interface. But our heightened expectations for the diesel X5 were not met. Mileage was good, but not dramatically good, and trying to get through city streets felt like tug boat piloting. Worse, the diesel X5 is saddled with the old version of iDrive.
(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CNET)
With the 335d, BMW adds the sportiest car to its limited diesel line-up in the U.S. Using twin-turbos strapped to a 3-liter inline six-cylinder engine, the 335d puts a lot of power to the wheels of its conventional 3-series chassis, most of it in the form of outrageous torque. The cabin electronics are highlighted by the new iDrive interface, which offers updated navigation and new features such as onboard music storage.
Ford launches a high-mileage eco version of its Fiesta model in England. This car uses a diesel engine and aerodynamic modifications to maximize mileage. The Fiesta joins the Mondeo and the Focus in the Eco-netic line.
The Ford Fiesta Econetic gets 76 mpg with a diesel engine.
(Credit: Ford)Working hard to improve fuel economy, Ford showed off one result of its efforts at the British International auto show this week. The Ford Fiesta Econetic uses a 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine that gives it a combined fuel economy, under the EU test cycle, of 76.3 mpg.
Along with the diesel engine, the Fiesta Econetic has other tricks up its wheel well to achieve this fuel economy. Ford made aerodynamic changes to the standard Fiesta, such as adding rear air deflectors, lowering the suspensions, and putting the car on low rolling resistance tires. The engine uses low friction oil and the driver gets a shift light, indicating when its time to upshift for optimal fuel economy. The Econetic also keeps carbon dioxide emissions low, at 98 grams per kilometer.
Along with the new Fiesta Econetic, Ford makes Econetic versions of the Focus and Mondeo in the U.K. Ford won't offer a diesel version of the Fiesta when it comes to the U.S. in 2010.
According to information found on popular Volkswagen enthusiast site, VW Vortex, Volkswagen of America has announced that owners of the Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen will be eligible for a $1,300 federal income tax credit. This announcement is affirmed by the Internal Revenue Service, which has issued a certification letter that defines the credit more specifically as the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit.
(Credit:
VW of America)
Factoring in this new tax credit, the clean diesel Jetta is only about $700 more expensive than the gasoline version. While this is good news for VW, it's not like they need any help selling the Jetta TDI. With reports of hybrid-esque fuel economy, the TDI model has been predicted to sell like hotcakes despite the fact that diesel fuel is hovering at around $5 per gallon.
The 2009 VW Jetta TDI goes on sale in late August 2008.
BMW released details and photos of its new 3-series, purportedly a mid-cycle face-lift. However, we found some impressive changes and new options. BMW will offer a twin-turbo diesel version available in all 50 states. The dashboard electronics get updated with a new iDrive interface, and the navigation system gets a hard drive, with space left over for music storage.
Click the image to access the gallery.
With more than half of the European market share for new cars, diesels are starting to push their way back to the United States. Faced with tough emissions standards, European and Japanese manufacturers are using a range of "clean-diesel" technologies for the new crop of production cars, which they hope will dispel the image of diesels as oil-burning smog-spewers. Check out our roundup of diesel cars from this year's auto show season that are confirmed--or strongly expected--to make it U.S. showrooms soon.
Go to the Production diesels gallery.
