Mercedes is ready to launch a new diesel engine in the fall of 2008. First model that will receive this engine will be the C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition, a 500 units limited edition that will be priced at €40,638. Mercedes has not given any information on if the car will be available in the traditionally diesel-unfriendly U.S.
In this model the engine produces, with its 2.2 liters of displacement, 204 hp and almost 370 ft. lbs of torque. The premiere model can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.0 seconds, on the way to its top speed of 250 km/h. The Prime Edition only consumes an average of 5.2 liters of fuel per 100 km (NEDC), with CO2 emissions of 138 g/km.
Press release after the jump.
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Two things that usually don’t go together are performance sedans and diesel engines. According to The Car Connection, Volkswagen is considering a diesel version for the 2009 Passat CC. Brett Scott, product planner for Volkswagen’s trucks and mid-size cars, says when it comes to a diesel version of the new coupe-like four-door, the company is "certainly looking at it," though it’s not currently in the product plan. In the short term, VW is working on adding engine detail to the badging on the new CC: the four-cylinder versions will be badged "CC 2.0," for example.
Volkswagen plans to open a new assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 2011. That plant will have a capacity of 250,000 vehicles when it’s fully up to speed. VW plans to build a new mid-size sedan there, and intends to export it around the world. Since diesel is a must-have engine for some European markets, this global vision for the Passat CC may explain why diesel would be a useful engine for this car.
Audi revealed full details on the 2009 Q7 V12 TDI quattro: the world’s most powerful diesel-engined SUV. The SUV is priced at 130,600 Euros (although no U.S. pricing has been announced, the current exchange rate puts the price at about $184,000.) Ouch!
With a completely redeveloped common rail injection system the twelve-cylinder delivers a mighty 368 kW (500 hp) and 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) of torque from a capacity of six liters – giving the big SUV the performance of a sports car.
In everyday use the twelve-cylinder diesel is relatively frugal with economy of 11.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (20.82 US mpg). On demand, the six-liter engine catapults the Audi Q7 from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.5 seconds like a top-class sports car. Speed is electronically capped at 250 km/h (155.34 mph).
The world’s most powerful diesel-engined SUV will make its way to dealers towards the end of 2008.
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Volvo will unveil at the Paris Auto Show diesel versions for the C30, S40 and V50 for its European customers. Fuel consumption for thses Euro-only cars are rated at 4.4 litres/100 km (C30) or 4.5 litres/100 km (S40 and V50) and C02 emissions of 115 and 118 g/km. These figures give the C30 and V50 the best-in-class CO2 emissions for its segments.
The DRIVe models are based on the Volvo C30 Efficiency concept car that was shown at the Frankfurt motor show in October 2007. The measures adopted to reduce CO2 emissions that were presented then will be in production before the end of the year in the C30, S40 and the V50.
Press release after the jump.
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Subaru will unveil at the Paris Auto Show the Forester and Impreza models equipped with Subaru Boxer Diesel. Both models will go on sale in Europe after this autumn.
The Forester is a crossover SUV that not only offers safe and stable driving performance that is enhanced by Subaru’s unique Symmetrical AWD (all-wheel-drive) system, but it also excels in environmental friendliness. The Forester 2.0D model boasts the lowest CO2 emission level (167 g/km) in the compact SUV category.
The Impreza incorporates three core Subaru values: sophisticated styling; useful and convenient packaging; and a quality ride. Now with the addition of the Subaru Boxer Diesel, the six-speed manual transmission, and a finely tuned suspension, the 5-door hatchback Impreza 2.0D model offers agile and sporty drivability, comfort and advanced safety, along with environmental features.
Press release after the jump.
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Audi is considering bringing a diesel version of the A3 to the US. The 2.0 TDI will produces 140-hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. In the Jetta TDI the engine provides and estimated EPA fuel economy of 29 MPG city and 40 MPG highway. The engine will be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed S-tronic.
Volkswagen recently reported that because of its fuel economy, the 2.0 TDI offerings are eligible for a $1,300 Federal Income Tax Credit. Because this is the same engine in the Audi, it would be a safe assumption that the credit would also extend to the A3.
Maybe government-controlled fuel is not a bad thing after all. Now that diesel is no longer cheap in the U.S., citizens are hopping the boarder to Mexico for cheaper sludge. Mexico controls all of their gasoline and diesel sales through the state-owned Pemex, and the diesel can be as much as $2.00 less per gallon south of the boarder. But before you start heading to your nearest boarder town, remember to leave any auxiliary tanks at home. If you are seen as transporting fuel in a vehicle not designed for it, the Federales would like a word with you. While you can fill up your car’s tank, any extra tanks with fuel will get you a fine and your vehicle confiscated for up to four days.
Diesel is not the fuel of choice for many Americans. It can be viewed as a smelly and polluting sludge that is inferior to gasoline. General Motors is trying to debunk myths about the diesel because its the fuel efficiency benefits show that there is a real future for the fuel in the U.S. This is the second video in a series that GMnext is creating about how General Motors sees alternative fuel solutions.
Today BMW confirmed a diesel version of the 3-Series car will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, with sales to begin shortly thereafter. This represents BMW’s test of the U.S. market for the future of diesel power on these shores. The 335d will have an output of 265 hp and a peak torque of 425 lb-ft, down compared to the European version that has 282 hp and 428 lb-ft.
Along with the 335d, BMW will also present the X5 35d at the show in November.
Volkswagen today released the TDI version of the 2009 Jetta. TDI is a direction-injection turbo diesel engine. This Jetta runs on high-performance, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Its reduced emissions meet the most stringent fuel emissions standards in California and all 50 states. The “T” stands for turbocharged, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice power and performance to be environmentally-friendly.
For the new release, VW is assembled a one-of-a-kind TDI. The hood of a Volkswagen Jetta TDI was autographed backstage at Teen Choice Awards by attendees including Jerry O’Connell, Randy Jackson, Natasha Bedingfield, and Chris Brown, and will be donated to City of Hope, a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
Press release after the jump.
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