Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: Diesel, Manufacturing/Plants, Volkswagen

Volkswagen of America CEO Stefan Jacoby spoke at a Clean Energy Technology summit in Chattanooga, TN this week about plans for the company’s new factory there. Jacoby announced that the new mid-sized car that will be built there will include an optional clean diesel engine. The new car will replace the current Passat and be specifically targeted to the North American market when the plant comes online by 2011. Jacoby didn’t reveal any specifics about which TDI engine would be used, but the current European market Passat is equipped with the same 2.0L engine that is in the recently introduced Jetta TDI.

The VW executive also emphasized that the plant will be designed from the start to minimize resource use and environmental impact. VW will build a wetland area adjacent to the factory to help control flooding. Inside, the climate control system will use new greener refrigerants and reuse and recycling practices will be maximized.

[Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press]

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Filed under: Diesel, Ford

It looks like small cars aren’t the only segment where Ford has no confidence in diesel engines. When Ford announced its redesigned F150 pickup trucks early this year the company indicated that a new light duty diesel engine would join the lineup in 2010. The company even showed off the new 4.4L V8 at a dealer meeting in April of this year. It now appears that the engine won’t be coming in 2010 and in fact it may never happen. Ford officials have confirmed to Mike Levine at PickupTrucks.com that the program has been put on hold and may be canceled entirely. Separately, another supplier source has confirmed the same information to ABG. Ford was already pretty close to completing development of the new engine, but has stopped short of actually tooling up the factory to build them. Instead, Ford has decided to refocus its efforts on the EcoBoost (gasoline turbocharged direct injection) engines that will debut in the trucks in 2010. A 3.5L EcoBoost V6 makes similar power and low end torque to a diesel at a much lower cost. The EcoBoost engines provide about a 15-20 percent boost in fuel efficiency, compared to the 5.4L V8, which is less than the 20-30 percent that might be possible with the diesel, but the cost makes up the difference for most buyers. According to Mike, GM remains committed to its new 4.5L diesel but all future programs are up in the air.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

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Filed under: Diesel, Green Daily

Photo by Kevindooley. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

If your child rides the bus to school in New York City, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) would like you to know that he or she is being exposed to “harmful pollution levels” during the daily ride. The EDF issued a report yesterday that calls on the NYC Department of Education to cut diesel soot pollution by 90 percent and suggests using diesel retrofit technologies to do so. On top of that, EDF recommends retiring the buses three years sooner than is now standard. And, if the Department does so, EDF says, it “could be using the largest, cleanest school bus fleet in the country within just a few years.” It certainly will take a while to do so, because there are more than 7,000 public school buses in the city. A few other options from the ABG archives:

• Plug-in hybrid school bus
• Biofuel-powered school bus
• Using a diesel particulate filter

[Source: Environmental Defense Fund]

Continue reading EDF calls for 90 percent reduction in NYC school bus soot pollution

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Filed under: Euro, Green, Autoline on Autoblog

I’M LOSING MY BET ON DIESELS

A few years back I made a bet with a former Director of Engineering at General Motors. I bet him five bucks that Americans would fall in love with modern diesel engines and would want them in their cars. Specifically, I predicted that diesel sales in passenger cars would reach 1 million units by 2012. He bet it wouldn’t happen.

Last year I ran into him and he ruefully conceded he was probably going to lose the bet. But that was last year. Now I’m pretty sure I’m the one who’s going to lose. What a difference a year makes!

John McElroy is host of the TV program “Autoline Detroit”. Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers. Follow the jump to continue reading this week’s editorial.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Government/Legal, Green

Diesel fuel prices are hovering about 20 above gasoline on average. It seems that automakers are a bit worried this disparity could have a negative impact on their upcoming diesel-powered cars and trucks. While it’s true that Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz are already rolling out new oil-burners in all 50 states with positive results, there remains a concern that there are only so many buyers willing to spend extra to get a more efficient engine and then pay extra to fill it up. At a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on diesel fuel prices today, a spokesperson for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers fell short of suggesting what to do about the situation, choosing instead to highlight the fact that diesel fuel is taxed more than gasoline, whereas in Europe where oil-burners are much more popular, the opposite is true. Reading between the lines a bit, it’s not hard to see his point.

Check out our recent In the Autoblog Garage review of the 2009 VW Jetta TDI to hear our take on today’s modern diesels.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]

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Filed under: SUVs, Euro, Audi

The Audi Q7 V12 TDI is set to launch (but not here in the U.S.), and it’s just the thing to give that annoying neighbor with his fancy VW Touareg V10 TDI a debilitating inferiority complex. 500 horsepower and approximately enough torque to counter-rotate the Earth (758 lb-ft) come standard on Audi’s diesel monster. 21-inch wheels mask carbon ceramic brakes, LED running lamps help light the way, and the interior is a festival of dead cow, TV screens, and Alcantara, all trimmed neatly in aluminum and carbon fiber. If we were, say, Russian gangsters, we’d totally be driving one of these. (Except Neff, who would undoubtedly, stubbornly continue rolling in the Alero.) In conjunction with the launch, Audi dumped a slew of new pictures on its media site, so here they are. Click away.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: Audi Q7 V12 TDI

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Tech

Right now in the U.S., hybrids are all the rage among drivers who want to be more green in what they drive, but it may not stay that way for much longer. New research by Ricardo and UBS is projecting that total sales of hybrid and diesel vehicles will hit 2.7 million annually by 2012, and that oil burners will account for 1.5 million of those sales. For those not good with math, the report is claiming that within five years, diesels will outsell hybrids in the U.S.

The report concludes that the added complexity of hybrid systems with their batteries, electric motors and internal combustion engines won’t be able to overcome the cost advantage of a modern diesel engine, even with the expensive exhaust treatment systems needed to make diesels meet our new stricter emissions requirements.

Toyota, however, is projecting that it will achieve cost parity between hybrids and conventional drivetrains in the next few years. More likely is a scenario in which fuel efficiency and emissions requirements reach a point where diesel-hybrids become a necessity. As batteries improve and Series Hybrids like the Chevy Volt become a reality, diesels will be the likely choice as range extenders. In the short term, diesels are moving full speed ahead, at least from European manufacturers, so we’ll just have to wait and see how American drivers take to them.

[Source: Ricardo]

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When your vehicle runs out of fuel what do you do? Drive to nearest fuel station. But what if you drive to your kitchen garden or farmhouse instead. This could be a reality if you plant Jatropha in your garden. Jatropha seeds are a source for…

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Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Toyota

Forbes is covering an unconfirmed report published in the Nikkei that Hino Motors Ltd will release its diesel-electric Dutro Hybrid truck in Australia this month. A local Australian shipping company is also reported to have made the decision to replace its truck fleet with the Dutro Hybrid. The environmentally-friendly truck was released in the Japanese market in late 2003 and sold around 1,000 units last year.

The Dutro Hybrid has a load capacity of between two and four tonnes and is seen by Hino as the vehicle that can help them triple their overseas truck sales to 150,000 by 2015. Sales in Australia are estimated to be a modest 100 units in Australia in the first year with the roll-out to take place across the South East Asian region.

In October last year, Hino released a new model Dutro Hybrid equipped with a new hybrid system based on the advanced 4-cylinder inline diesel engine NO4C for higher output and enhanced efficiency through the combination of the clean diesel system DPR, new-model permanent magnet motor/generator, batteries and inverter, realizing both environmental performance and fuel efficiency.

Related:

• Volvo revving up its trucks with heavy-duty hybrid drivetrains
• Freightliner will show off new diesel hybrid technology next month

[Source: Forbes]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

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Filed under: Diesel

With the advent of Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel and other emissions and particular matter reducing technologies, diesel is back in a big way in markets like the U.S. and down here in Australia. Of course the clear advantage diesel has over petrol in fuel economy is old news to the Europeans where favourable taxation rules have seen diesel passenger vehicles compete head to head with petrol vehicles for a long time. This huge market at home has meant that the European car makers have led the world in new diesel technologies like Common Rail and Turbodiesel Direct Injection.

But don’t expect the Japanese car makers to ignore a booming market - the share of new diesels in the U.S. car and light truck will likely double to around 7.5 percent by 2010. Japanese automakers have forged an early lead in petrol-electric hybrid technology in the US, leaving the German car makers counting on their reputation for cutting-edge diesel technology in a US market that is expected to shrink overall in 2007. And don’t expect the Germans to share the diesel market with anyone if they can help it. Bernd Gottschalk, head of the Germany car industry association VDA, said at the Detroit auto show, “The goal can only be to make life as difficult as possible for the Japanese.”

Related:

• Diesel V-6 could replace hybrid Honda Accord
• 2008 VW Jetta TDi coming with BlueTec and 50 state emissions
• Toyota to sell diesel hybrid in 2010

[Source: Playfuls]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

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Filed under: Diesel, Hyundai

Its always interesting to see what car companies are up to in other countries. In Australia Hyundai has just two diesel models, the Terracan and Santa Fe. If you think of the leaders in passenger car diesels, you’d be likely to pick a European brand, probably German. Across the Tasman in New Zealand though, Hyundai is trying hard to take the diesel lead with the release of diesel Sonata and Getz models.

Featuring a 2.0 litre common rail turbo charged diesel engine, the Sonata diesel delivers great performance and economy with 103 kW / 138hp at 4,000 rpm, as well as 305 Nm / 225 ft-lbs of torque at 1800 - 2,500 rpm. Other highlights are a Variable Geometry Turbo and four speed transmission that features a sequential sports shift option.

The Getz has a 1.5 litre common rail turbo charged diesel under the bonnet which delivers 65 kW / 87hp of power at 4,000 rpm, and 215 Nm /158 ft-lbs of torque at 1,900 - 2,500 rpm.

More models are expected in 2007 with an Elite Sonata diesel and a 1.5 litre Accent in January 2007, as well as an Elantra Euro hatch diesel in the latter half of 2007.

Who knew?

Related:

• 7-seat Hyundai SUV gets 50.4 mpg in Australian demonstration
• Hyundai needs government help to compete with the Japanese on hybirds

[Source: Scoop.co.nz]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

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Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Hatchbacks, MINI

click on image to view 25 pics in our high-resolution gallery

While the new MINI is already bombing around Europe and the U.S. in standard and Cooper S trim, Europeans have had to wait for new versions of their popular MINI One and MINI Cooper D. MINI has announced both models will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, each with their own upgrades. Aside from the new sheetmetal, the MINI One will feature a smaller version of the new MINI motor developed in conjunction with PSA. The 1.4-liter four-cylinder produces 95-hp at 6,000 rpm and 103 ft-lbs. of torque at 4,000 rpm, aided by a version of BMW’s variable valve timing technology called VALVETRONIC. The MINI One will return a fairly frugal 49.6 mpg (miles per imperial gallon, mind you) in Britain’s combined urban and extra-urban cycles.

The MINI Cooper D, however, is the car for which we here at Autoblog pine. The D, of course, stands for diesel, and the new model will use a 1.6-liter turbodiesel that producs 110 hp at 4,000 rpm and between 177 and 191 ft-lbs. of torque at a low 2,000 rpm. It’ll hit 62 mph in under 10 seconds, and reward a light foot with 64.2 mpg (again, imperial gallons) in Britain’s cycle. Both cars come standard with six-speed manual transmissions, or one can opt for a six-speed auto with paddle shifters and a sport mode. Starting April, about a month after each car debuts in Geneva, Brits will be able to buy the MINI One beginning at £11,595 ($22,740 USD) and the MINI Cooper D starting at £14,190 ($27,829 USD).

Click here to see our full high-resolution gallery and check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Super-frugal MINI Cooper D and inexpensive MINI One debuting in Geneva

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hatchbacks, Subaru

New Subaru Impreza renderings seem to be coming out of the woodwork as of late, and judging by the similarities between the magazine scan we brought you earlier in the week and these newest images courtesy of AutoExpress, either the artist is the same or the new nose and hatch design has been rendered with the same information. Come New York, we shall see.

We’re certainly fans of toning down the new front end, and this newest image certainly accomplishes that, ditching the upside-down-Alfa nose, smoothing out the front clip and making the hood scoop less of an awkward protrusion. We know that a five-door hatch will be the most radical design change, but both images contain that precariously placed wing that looks about as plausible as seeing Jessica Simpson at a MENSA meeting.

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Continue reading More on the Subaru Impreza’s new look

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Coupes, Green, BMW

CAR Online is reporting that BMW is set to install their 3.0-liter twin-turbo diesel into its 6-series coupe later this year. The force-fed oil-burner is the same one BMW uses in the 5-series sedan and the very same 535d that AB Green’s Mike Magda got to drive (if briefly) during the LA Auto Show last year. That 535d sibling hustles to 60 mph from a standing start in just 6.5 seconds, thanks in large part to its 413 lb-ft of torque. That’s even more torque than is found in the range-topping M6 (a measly 383). Although horsepower is considerably lower at 272 vs. the 500 found in the M6, we expect the fuel mileage benefits to appeal to many with gas prices holding high. The 535d gets a combined 35.3 mpg on the British standard rating. The M6 manages just 12/18 on the EPA cycle. CAR anticipates that we’ll hear more about the car later in the year. And as a sidenote, we know tuners like Hamman have already worked that mill up to 350 hp/487 lb-ft of torque, so this could get very interesting.

[Source: CAR Magazine]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hatchbacks, Subaru

New Subaru Impreza renderings seem to be coming out of the woodwork as of late, and judging by the similarities between the magazine scan we brought you earlier in the week and these newest images courtesy of AutoExpress, either the artist is the same or the new nose and hatch design has been rendered with the same information. Come New York, we shall see.

We’re certainly fans of toning down the new front end, and this newest image certainly accomplishes that, ditching the upside-down-Alfa nose, smoothing out the front clip and making the hood scoop less of an awkward protrusion. We know that a five-door hatch will be the most radical design change, but both images contain that precariously placed wing that looks about as plausible as seeing Jessica Simpson at a MENSA meeting.

Follow the jump for more…

Continue reading More on the Subaru Impreza’s new look

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

During yesterday’s press conference, BMW confirmed much of what’s already been known or assumed, including the upcoming production of the X6 and its subsequent launch in 2008, as well as its plan to grow the number of diesel-powered vehicles it sells in the US over the next two years.

The soon-to-be-released oil burners will come equipped with BMW’s dual turbocharger (one small snail, accompanied by another larger one) and although BMW was mum on which models will receive this relatively new powerplant, one can assume that the 3-, 5- and X-series vehicles are under development.

The big news was during Tom Purves’ talk, when the U.S. Chairman and CEO said that the automaker intends to bring over 30 new models between now and 2010. This expansion plan includes investing $25 billion over the course of 2005 through 2010 on both research and development, and expanded “business activities.”

More BMWs and better fuel economy was the crux of the press conference, both topics that are easy to get behind if executed well.

[Source: Detroit News]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, SUVs, Green, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for high-res gallery from Daimler’s press conference

Just like any good political campaign, Mercedes came to the New York Auto Show touting nothing much as a whole lot. Actually, the faux political rally might have been less than compelling with its old news, but the new M Class sporting 50-state legal BlueTec diesel power is exciting. Almost as exciting as the very original 1965 190 D Mercedes had borrowed to illustrate its long-running experience with Rudy’s coal dust motor. The senescent sedan will be helping MBZ recreate Bill Carroll’s cross-country diesel-fueled journey to celebrate the U.S.-wide availability of what it’s touting as the cleanest diesel ever. BlueTec allows the M-, GL- and R-class oil burners to earn ULEV and TierII/Bin 5 classification.

Mercedes says its new diesels are now as clean as gasoline powerplants, and once they drop BlueTec hybrids on us, emissions and economy will improve yet again. JD Power projects that fully 40 percent of vehicles will be diesel powered by 2017, and Mercedes wants to increase diesel sales beyond the current level of 22 percent. The newly tweaked M-Class should help move the powertrain off dealer lots. Sporting plenty of safety upgrades, new headlights, a Hannibal-Lechter inspired grille and some interior tweaks, the M-Class has returned from the gym freshly chiseled. It was not all utes and politely obscured minivans (*ahem* R-Class). Just before Mercedes wrapped the presser, they said, we’re paraphrasing here, “Oh yeah, we also brought the SL, w00t.”

Continue reading New York 2008: Mercedes burns oil and rubber

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