The diesel engine is a type of internal combustion engine; more specifically, it is a compression ignition engine, in which the fuel is ignited by being suddenly exposed to the high temperature and pressure of a compressed gas, rather than by a separate source of ignition, such as a spark plug, as is the case in of the gasoline engine.
Last week BMW unveiled the BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo at the Beijing Auto Show and today the company announced that the same xDrive system will also be offered for the 740d luxury sedan. The 740d model will not be the first in BMW’s 7-series to acquire the latest of BMW’s technology. The BMW 750i xDrive and the BMW 750Li xDrive piloted the technology about a year ago.
The BMW 740d xDrive combines BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology with common-rail direct fuel injection and delivers an impressive 306 hp with a peak torque of 442 lb-ft maintained consistently between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm.
BMW’s xDrive distributes driver power between the front and rear axles maximizing the force and creating the best possible traction and agility. It works in conjunction with the Dynamic Stability Control system which monitors road conditions. We can’t imagine this technology won’t be in all of BMW’s models eventually. As the pressure for smaller cars and bigger power escalates, automakers will have to make use of all the power they can to satisfy the "have your cake and eat it to" mindsight established in the hearts and minds of people everywhere.
Audi announced today its plans on entering the Le Mans 24 Hours on June 12-13 and they will be competing with an evolution of the R15 TDI diesel race sports car.
To keep it in line and make it a little bit more competitive, Audi tweaked the R15 TDI’s body shape in addition to giving it a modified cooling and fuel tank system. The V10 TDI engine gets smaller air restrictors yet still delivers a staggering 590 horsepower.
According to Dr. Wolgang Ullrich, head of Audi’s Motorsport division, Audi is more inclined to participate in Le Mans - compared to F1 - because the technologies behind making a competitive race car in this racing category is relevant to what they research on in Formula One.
"At Le Mans, efficiency is of paramount importance – and today, more than ever before, it is a key deliverable of production vehicles as well and it is one of Audi’s special strengths, " he said.
Updated 04/06/2010: Audi unveiled today new details on the R15 TDi race car that will compete at this year’s 24-hour race at Le Mans. The car features a new radical design that features more red. In addition, large areas of the Le Mans race sports car that is internally designated as "R15 plus" will be kept in a purist black carbon-fiber look. The Audi R15 TDI sporting its new design will make its debut at the Le Castellet 8 Hours on April 11.
Mercedes has announced that the BlueTEC technology will also be available for the latest version of the G-Class family, which, incidentally, is celebrating its 31st anniversary.
The Mercedes-Benz G 350 BlueTEC will be powered by a V6 diesel engine that delivers a total of 210 horsepower at 3400 rpm and a torque of 540 Nm between 1600 and 2400 rpm.
Developed by Mercedes, the BlueTEC is a revolutionary technology that is designed to reduce diesel vehicle emissions, especially nitrogen oxide emissions.
As far as the technology that lies in the G 350, the BlueTEC version in the car uses AdBlue®, an aqueous urea solution which is injected into the exhaust-gas stream. This process, in turn, releases ammonia, which converts up to 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water by a process of reduction in the downstream SCR catalytic converter.
Since the G-Class has been known to drive in some pretty inhabited areas around the world, Mercedes engineers made things a little easier for those driving the G350 BlueTEC by integrating the filler cap in the vehicle’s outside tank recess. Also of importance is that a full tank of the AdBlue can last for around 12,000 kilometers.
Infiniti revealed today the first details on it’s first diesel compact crossover - the Infiniti EX30d. The EX30d is expected to break cover at the Geneva Motor Show next week.
The Infiniti EX30d is powered by a piezo-injection 3.0-litre V6 engine that produces a total of 235 bhp and an impressive torque of 406 lb ft. The engine is mated to a standard 7-speed automatic transmission and sprints the car from 0 to 62mph in just 7.9 seconds.
The new Infiniti EX30d will go on sale this summer and will be offered in three different versions. Prices will be announced at a later date.
While we are all well aware of just how great of an automobile that the Jaguar XFR really is, the luxury car builder has announced details about an upcoming alternatively fueled model of the XF sport sedan for 2011 that brings the same high performance attitude and upscale amenities of the top of the line version into a new diesel burning four door dubbed the XF S.
The XF S is powered by a 275 HP diesel mill that promises not to disappoint drivers thanks to the Jag’s Adaptive Dynamics system, a unit that is currently featured on the XFR and XK that constantly adjusts the suspension to improve handling without giving up an ounce of comfort. The result improves on the XF’s already impressive handling and strikes a clever balance between a luxury ride and sports car agility, which will be an option on the high performance diesel.
The exterior of the new Jaguar XF S can be upgraded with a new aerodynamics package similar to the XFR’s which includes black mesh grill inserts, horizontal blades across the lower air intakes and bolder side skirts. Meanwhile the interior features upscale touches like high gloss Piano Black veneer and a Jet Suedecloth headliner that is available as an option on Premium Luxury and Portfolio Diesel S models; ensuring that you don’t have to give up style and luxury just to be green.
Hot off winning the Green Car of the Year award, Audi is getting serious about the diesel burning boosted version of the A3 TDI compact hatch with their latest Superbowl commercial. The Green Police are out to crack down on every kind of consumer waste from shoppers using single use plastic bags at the supermarket to police drinking out of Styrofoam cups.
Some might say that the Green Police are going a little too far with their efforts to clean up the environment, however the commercial does make for some very funny situations that will hopefully leave new car shoppers here in the U.S. thinking a little differently about alternative fuels in their premium vehicles. Enjoy!
The Spanish automaker SEAT has just added a new sporty alternatively fueled version of their best selling Ibiza hot hatch called the Ibiza FR TDI. The turbo diesel powered compact is available in either the three door SC or the more practical five door body style starting at a very reasonable £16,465. According to Andy McGregor, SEAT UK’s Ibiza Product Manager, "the arrival of the Ibiza FR TDI signals our intention to make SEAT a leader in the supermini sector."
Powered by a turbocharged diesel engine that delivers a total of 143 HP, the Ibiza FR comes with SEAT’s new XDS electronic virtual limited slip differential for improved handling and even torque distribution as well as exclusive FR specific detailing inside and out to denote this as a very special Ibiza. The FR can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in 8.2 seconds and reach an electronicaly limited top speed of 130 MPH, all while getting as much as 62.7 MPG on the combined cycle ensuring that the new SEAT Ibiza FR TDI is as easy on the wallet as it is fun to drive.
ABT Sportline revealed today a tuning package for the Q7 3.0 TDI diesel SUV. With the use of the ABT Power technology, the engine’s output is raised to 278 hp and 580 Nm.
The Q7 also gets ABT Performance Springs and ABT Sports brake systems side rails, rear aprons, fender extensions, 4-pipe exhaust units and exhaust tailpipe end caps. The SUV sits on dynamic BR alloys in 9x20 and 10x22 inch wheels.
Even if the diesel burning Audi A3 just arrived in U.S. last month, the alternatively fueled hatchback already has a huge following around the world. And it hasn’t taken long for the other A3 to find success being named the 2010 Green Car of the Year by the Green Car Journal and the GreenCar.com website at the 2009 LA Auto Show. The 2.0 Liter TDI four cylinder engine delivers a maximum output of 140 HP and because it is a diesel, significantly more torque, 236 lb-ft to be exact. Yet despite the excessive amount of thrust, the green A3 is able to get an EPA estimated 42 MPG on the highway.
According to the President of Audi of America, Johan de Nysschen, "We consider the Green Car of the Year® title one of the most important industry accolades. It is of paramount importance for us to develop vehicles that achieve the very touchstones this award stands for fuel efficiency and environmental impact. Rather than novelty features, we consider these attributes imperative to the future of automobile design. We are honored with this recognition for the Audi A3 TDI." With a shift towards premium compacts and fuel efficient car shopping, Audi look like they are on the right track towards selling these green A3s like hot cakes.
After seeing MTM’s customization program for the new Golf GTD we know that Honda and Mugen don’t have a monopoly on the modified hatchback market. As further proof, the German tuning house ABT Sportsline has just come up with a kit of their own for the diesel burning turbocharged Golf VI. Aside from giving the TDI hatchback a 50 HP kick in the pants with one of their ABT Power units, the Germans have also reworked the Golf’s exterior to further suit their own brand of style.
The aero mods include a new front bumper with much more angular intakes as well as a set of stylish strips of LED driving lights. Out back the new rear diffuser makes room for ABT’s signature quad tipped exhaust pipes while an oversized wing keeps things planted at speed. Finishing off the design, ABT is offering a few wheel and tire options with their sporty AR and BR models available in either 18 or 19 inches in diameter. The alternatively fueled 2.0 Liter power plant now makes a total 190 HP and a very diesel like 288 lb-ft of torque, and although it may not sound so impressive going from 0 to 60 MPH in 7.1 seconds isn’t too bad for a diesel, and neither is a 143 MPH top speed. The best part about tuning a diesel is that when you are done you’re still driving a green vehicle.
