250-300 cu. in. Turbo Diesel?

[GHarman]

Here is a question. WHY, can we not have a 3/4 ton truck, a half ton or a mini pickup with a 250-300 Cu. In. displacement Turbo Diesel with 190 horses and 400 Ft Lbs of torque or less???? That will get 35-40 MPG on the Highway and 25-30 MPG city driving with a maxi cab option and 4X4 with manual lock out hubs. I am not going to pull a 25,000 Lb Trailer or a 30 foot fifth wheel. I will haul passengers and building materials and a light weight recreational trailer. Passengers are also a priority. An inline 6 or in line 5 cylinder engine should do the trick with trail riding capability in the suspension and drivetrain. transmission and T-case, axles and suspension and frame should be built for the engine application. Dodge, Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Wake up folks. I dont need a Crew served tank retriever that requires a trip to the dealer every time the Computer Burps and throws up a light. I need a useful vehicle that reflects the needs of my family and the projected costs of oil. Something that is compatable with ULSD fuel and waste vegetable oil. It must be able to meet EPA requirements and be serviceable by its owner! How about a 20 year life span or 300,000 mile engine and drive train warranty? It should cost <$30,000. You make it and I will buy it! GregH

 

[Jong]

I think Mahindra will be coming out with what you need this coming year. Regular and crew cab trucks with little turbodiesels that start for under $20K. They make decent tractors, so they should make a good truck, at least something good to work.

Mahindra hopes to offer diesel small trucks, SUVs and sedans in U. S. in '08 - AutoblogGreen

 

[GHarman]

I know this is alot to ask for; my preference is for a minimum of "Assembled in AMERICA". In this world economy we find ourselves in, I dont expect to have 100% American made vehicles. That being said, my preference is; If you sell it here it should be assembled here! Toyota and Honda, are you listening? Dodge, Ford and Chevy, get a reality check. GregH

 

[DValentine]

I agree. I just sold the wife's Dakota. Would have kept it if it had a 4BT in it. I don't know how companies do market research. Remember in the 80's Nissan and Toyota had little diesel trucks? I know that those companies sell small diesel trucks outside America. I guess across the board the U. S. , trends are slow to move. I do believe that the VW diesel will become more popular here in the states with the way things are headed.



Dave

 

[JFlagg]

Toyota makes one, its called the Hilux. Its also the most produced truck in history, their in every country in the world... . except the U. S. I drove one in Iraq and want one now! Even saw new CR Hiluxes in Jamaica too.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I know this is alot to ask for; my preference is for a minimum of "Assembled in AMERICA". In this world economy we find ourselves in, I dont expect to have 100% American made vehicles. That being said, my preference is; If you sell it here it should be assembled here! Toyota and Honda, are you listening? Dodge, Ford and Chevy, get a reality check. GregH

Honda is supposed to be bringing their diesel to USA for '09. BMW is going to in '09 I want a BMW SUV with a diesel and my mother wants their car with a diesel.

A small/midsize pickup with a diesel would be great!

 

[CNeubauer]

You can put alot of the blame for not seeing diesels in smaller vehicles on the EPA, the diesel emissions regulations get alot tougher as the GVWR's get lower and that ruins their performance. The diesel Liberty got just slightly better MPG than it's gas counterpart because of the EPA regulations and with current fuel prices it's going to take alot of fuel savings to convert people from gas to diesel engines.

 

[GHarman]

You can put alot of the blame for not seeing diesels in smaller vehicles on the EPA, the diesel emissions regulations get alot tougher as the GVWR's get lower and that ruins their performance. The diesel Liberty got just slightly better MPG than it's gas counterpart because of the EPA regulations and with current fuel prices it's going to take alot of fuel savings to convert people from gas to diesel engines.

You are probably right. We even see the effects of EPA emissions in gasoline fuel economy here. We can buy 100% gasoline in the outlying counties. In the Denver metro area the gasoline must be mixed, 10% Alcohol. The alcohol severely cuts mileage even in multi-port fuel injected engines. The regulations are enforced for the sake only of the regulations. There is no thought of consideration of new ideas and tweeking everything so that the emissions and fuel economy go hand in hand. GregH

 

[ANicklas]

This is a question I manage to shut down the Eco-Nazis with occasionally: Is it better to burn lots of fuel cleanly, or less fuel, but not as clean?
I drove a Toyota Hilux occasionally in Iraq around base; it reminded me of the old Yota pickups (before the Tundra and Tacoma)... . I'd love to have one. I'm probably going to get banned for this, but I'd even consider selling my Ram for one... .

 

[GHarman]

I agree. I just sold the wife's Dakota. Would have kept it if it had a 4BT in it. I don't know how companies do market research. Remember in the 80's Nissan and Toyota had little diesel trucks? I know that those companies sell small diesel trucks outside America. I guess across the board the U. S. , trends are slow to move. I do believe that the VW diesel will become more popular here in the states with the way things are headed.



Dave

Dave, I remember those Toyotas. I came close to getting one , 'cept they were only 2 wheel drive ( one wheel pushing?). They also had a timing belt. Not something that I was sold on at the time with a friends auto having thrown a belt and it cost him an engine. A timely decision maker.

I seriously doubt that I will get another VW. I had a '79 Diesel Rabbit. It was the most trouble prone piece of machinery I ever had the misfortune of owning. But, I will say that It was a real snow buster when it ran. With a turbo and studded tires it would have been unstoppable until the snow was over the cab:-laf. I remember busting through 2. 5'+ of fresh powder snow early one winter AM. Breaking trail with studded M&S tires on all four. The snow was coming up over the hood and hitting the windshield. Thankfully there was no other traffic to pack the snow down and make ruts. It was all plowed out before I got home that evening. GregH

 

[DValentine]

I too had a 83 VW diesel. Timing belt let go and took the head. It was one of those life lessons. I have had VW's since and changed the timing belt. The early diesels had problems. But today I think they would sell. Maybe I am in the minority. :-laf