Diesel's everywere

[Jim Fulmer]

Why is it that the states don't have the diesel's like they do here overseas, got a rent van here in Spain today that had a small turbo diesel in it... ... not bad on power but needs the pump tweaked a little



The best one so far is a Diesel PT Cruiser..... yep, kinda cool! It sure seems like they would be a hit in the States.



Jim

 

[GatorRam]

I may be wrong but I think it might have to do with the quality of diesel here is inferior to the diesel you get overseas. I also heard the Cetane level is higher there.



Adam

 

[klenger]

I think that there are two factors:



1) Resistance to diesels in the US, partly due to the old "smelly and smokey" concept and also the poor reputation of the GM converted diesels in the 80's.



2) Getting diesels past the EPA approvals required in the US.

 

[av8r]

... Getting diesels past the EPA approvals required in the US...

Which are written in such a way which is biased to gasoline powered vehicles.

:-{}



Hopefully this will be overcome with the new low sulfur diesel fuel coming soon. I believe that there will be many, many more small diesels in the near future. They are (and will continue to be) far superior to the recent bubble of "hybrid" vehicles. Watch how DC does with the diesel Liberty and how VW will continue to have great success with their TDI's.

 

[RustyJC]

US EPA standards target NOx and particulates where the diesel suffers relative to the gasoline engine. European standards target CO2 (Kyoto treaty) where the diesel has an advantage.



Rusty

 

[WBusa]

I have read that one reason for the popularity of diesel cars in Europe has to do with the much, much higher cost of fuel there (very high fuel taxes). During the 90s European carmakers invested a bunch of money in engineering cleaner, better-performing diesel engines because that was the easiest way for them to deliver the high fuel economy which European car buyers demand (witness the Volkswagen TDI, for instance).

 

[dodge cummins]

i am curious to find out what the future holds for the light duty diesel market. i read somewhere that the chevy malibu is in talks about a possible diesel engine. i am curious about what diesels nissan and toyota will come out with. about 2 issues ago of truck trend it showed a jeep truck concept with a four cylinder diesel and that really caught my eye. i want to know if i will have to get rid of my 96 because of the ulsd coming to market on june 1 2006. will my truck run well? will it smoke more? i no fuel mileage won't be as great do to less btu in ulsd. i think that maybe in the future diesel will become more like gasoline and we will be able to run those future combustion engines on either gas or diesel at our disbosal.

 

[av8r]

The Jeep Gladiator concept truck used the same 2. 8L VM Motori diesel that the Liberty uses. Looks pretty cool to me.



I had yet to hear that ULSD fuel will have lower BTU than regular diesel. Where did this info come from?

 

[JPope]

I saw on the news last night (TV news so who knows accuracy??) that the President is pushing energy issues and hybrids was one, but the other was DIESEL (cars they said, but sure that was generic for vehicles/trucks?) though they did qualify with 'CLEAN' Diesel fuel.



So maybe we are the competition, and in the FOREFRONT (for the US????).

 

[CATCRACKER]

JPOPE,



is right i heard that on the news yesterday that Bushy is pushing clean diesels and wants a tax credit for buying one... . i dont care if you like Bushy or not that is common sense right there!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HERE HERE FOR THE DIESELIZATION OF AMERICA!

 

[NPloysa]

Catcracker, thanks for your name's definition. I wasn't sure what it meant but I do now!



Nick

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Saw another one today, a Toyota truck, 4 doors and everything but it was a small version.



Jim

 

[MKoth]

Saw another one today, a Toyota truck, 4 doors and everything but it was a small version.



Jim

Maybe a Hilux?



http://www.africachats.com/toyota_hilux_double_cabine_luxe.htm



I know diesel Toyotas are all over Africa and Australia, I bet they would sell like mad if you could get them past the EPA.

 

[dodge cummins]

maybe within 4 years i can get the wife to buy a diesel . according to a dodge jeep dealer i was at this morning they are going to make the jeep truck concept. i looked at a liberty crd it has a 5600lb towing capacity. i was trying to get into a new 05 ctd but i just can't see doubling my monthly payment.

 

[gonehuntingagain]

The best one so far is a Diesel PT Cruiser..... yep, kinda cool! It sure seems like they would be a hit in the States.

Any idea what engine is in that PT Cruiser and what it is rated at (hp & tq)?

 

[av8r]

Probably another VM motor. That's what's in the Caravans in Europe, so...

 

[WNowlan]

Now that fuel prices are were they should be adjusted for inflation!!! I work for a major oil company



I would expect that technology will be put into the diesel engine again here domestically. We all know that americans (me and you) want more power. We want quick response from the go pedal. Historically you did not get that.



We will start seeing fuel economy be a major factor in development again of new vehicles. In the last several years the goal has been to reduce emissions at the cost of fuel economy. My work over the last 20 years has been with making oils for the larger diesels compatible with the emission systems. We have seen a reduction in fuel economy on this side by as much as 30%. I do not need to go into numbers but just say the average truck fleet is burning 400,000 gallons more today driving the same miles. Now throw into the equation the cost of fuel.



We are working on lower viscosity technology that will protect these engines while improving fuel economy. This same fleet using a 5W40 will save $125,000 per year through this technology.



They currently do not spend that much on the cost of oil!



We are a funny bunch here, we want to pay nothing for fuel; but will pay 1. 50 for 12 oz coffee or 1. 00 for water in a bottle. I know you have all seen these explanations. All I know is my company just spent $1 billion upgrading a refinery to make cleaner diesel for the enviroment yet you will burn more!



Take care,

Warren

 

[macdaddy]

Not as high as the Cetane here in Cali!!!

I may be wrong but I think it might have to do with the quality of diesel here is inferior to the diesel you get overseas. I also heard the Cetane level is higher there.



Adam

Try running the CARB diesel here in Cali the ol CTD loves the stuff 50. 7



Mac

 

[TKingsbury]

We have been thinking about a new diesel car for the wife. Checked in to the Liberty, no manual trans so scratch that (plus we have Libertys at work and they feel SPOOKY up around 80mph, like the rear is riding on marbles). Looked into the VWs, but she's not diggin' 'em. Looks like it's gonna be a Volvo 5 cyl turbo with a 6 spd. I wish there were more diesel options. I guess we'll just have to wait.

Travis. .