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.
Ford has just revealed earlier today their new 6.7 Liter Power Stroke V8 Turbocharged Diesel Engine that will replace the current heavy duty diesel engine supplied by Navistar. The new engine will make its debut in the next-generation F-Series Super Duty trucks.
The capability and reliability found in the new 6.7 Liter diesel engine starts with the engine block. The new Power Stroke’s block is made from compacted graphite iron (CGI), which is about twice as strong as regular gray cast iron. While this is the first use of a CGI block in North America in this class of vehicle, Ford has successfully used the material in engine blocks in other products around the world.
Perhaps the diesel mills extended range due to its alternatively fueled nature would make it the perfect candidate to power the next Ford SVT Raptor to another strong finish at Baja. However due to the U.S. market’s dislike for the less refined crude product it would be hard to imagine this engine in anything other than a dedicated work truck.
Mercedes has added two new models to the GLK line-up: the GLK 250 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY and the GLK 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY.
The GLK 250 CDI 4MATIC is powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.9 seconds, and can hit a top speed of 132 mph.
The GLK 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY is powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 170 hp and 400 NM of torque. It sprints from0 to 60 mph in just 8,5 seconds, while top speed go up to 127 mph.
Even if Volkswagen’s Scirocco sports hatch won’t be making it to the U.S. anytime soon, there are still a few fuel-efficiency is still a problem for the German automaker. So over the next few years, VW will expand their lineup of eco friendly vehicles to include the new Passat CC, Tiguan and also the Scirocco.
According to a source at the English automotive journal AutoCar, Volkswagen is "looking into" a clean diesel burning Scirocco BlueMotion. It will feature a small displacement diesel engine, possibly the 1.6 Liter TDI from the Golf BlueMotion making 104 HP. The green Scirocco will also benefit from a few efficincy upgrades like aerodynamic tweaks, low resistance tires and different gear ratios.
The latest Bluemotion model from Volkswagen is Touareg BlueMotion. It is powered by a 3.0 Liter TDI V6 common rail diesel engine and develops 220 HP and 405 lb-ft of torque. The Touareg BlueMotion has a fuel economy of 34.0 MPG, up from 30.4 MPG, and CO2 emissions are cut to just 219 g/km, down from 244 g/km. The alternatively fueled Touareg can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in 8.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 126 MPH.
The Porsche Cayenne is a very successful vehicle for the German sports car builder, and over in Europe the turbo diesel V6 powered version is even more of a hit. So when the aftermarket tuners at MTM decided to further improve their product selection for the Porsche SUV and it only made sense to develop a performance package for the alternatively fueled sports truck.
The upgraded power package for the diesel version of the Porsche Cayenne is based around a reprogrammed Engine Control Unit that optimizes air, fuel and boost to get the most out of the six piston pumper. By nature, diesel powered engines do not crate a lot of horse power, however whatever they lack in work force they make up for in torque. So this newly tuned Cayenne is now capable of producing a maximum output of 300 HP from the 3.0 Liter turbo diesel V6 and peak of 442 lb-ft of torque.
MTM is also offering an F-Cantronic system designed to electronically control the suspension, bringing the body up to 45 mm closer to the 21 inch signature Bimoto wheels.
It looks like the bad news keep coming for the US market. After announcing that the Alfa Romeo MiTo will no be offered on the US market, here’s another bad news: Mini will also not offer the Cooper D for us. But while for the MiTo the problem was its size, for the Mini the problem is the cost: converting European Diesel engine to US specifications will cost way to much for the car to be profitable.
Even if MINI USA charged 10%-15% more, they’d never make any money and at the end of the day based on our sources. On the other side of the equation, is MINI USA priced the car at 40%-50% more to pay for the re-engineering required, few would buy them at today’s moderately low fuel prices.
The cooper D is powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine that delivers 108bhp. The car sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 9,9 seconds.
The German automaker BMW has announced plans to use diesel engines in their upcoming factory tuned lineup sports cars. Recently, the English journal AutoCar conducted an interview with Albert Biermann, the man who made the American Le Mans Series M3 GTR race car and headed up development of the award winning X5 SUV. Albert is currently serving as BMW’s M product manager and in the sit down he stated that: "With cars like the X5 and X6 M, the torque characteristics of diesel engines would make them the ideal choice, were it not for their unsporting character. I don’t think there’s a proven business case for big diesel-engined performance cars yet … but if that changes, we’ll be well placed to take advantage."
That is quite a bold statement considering that most M’s are sold right here in the good old U S of A and we haven’t been big fans of the less refined petroleum product. So Mr. Biermann is also tasked with turning America on to diesel fuel. He also announced that models like BMW Z4 M roadster and coupe models will not be replaced at the end of their production cycle: "The new Z4 is a heavy car … so it would be difficult to tune it effectively. Such an M car would also be hard to position [in the marketplace]; using the 4.0-litre V8 would position the car too close to the M3 Convertible, and the 3.2-litre, six-cylinder motor is no longer emissions-compliant."
Regarding a smaller more affordable entry level M based on the 1 Series roadster, the man at M had this to say: “I would love to produce this kind of car. It’s very difficult to make the numbers add up, but I know that I’m not the only person who likes the idea.” So hopefully Albert Biermann will succeed in his quest to turn the world onto diesel powered road going sports cars.
After first announcing their tuning kit for the diesel powered Porsche Cayenne at the Geneva Motor Show, the German tuners at TECHART have just revealed the latest details about their new ride.
The high performance tuners started their work under the hood. The 3.0 Liter turbo diesel power plant now delivers 290 HP and 465 lb-ft of torque. The alternatively fueled luxury vehicle can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in 7.7 seconds while still getting 25.3 MPG from the two ton performance vehicle.
The customization program also includes a reworked suspension complimented by a set of 21 inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Diamaris 4X4 XL, SUV specific rubber sized 295/35 R21. The front end receives a new front bumper with a deeper front spoiler and integrated running lights, lower side skirts and a new rear apron with integrated diffuser. Some simple head and taillight masks also accentuate the Cayenne’s sporty character. Finally, spent gasses exit through a pair of oval exhaust tips framed nicely by the TECHART rear valence.
The interior of the Cayenne is upgraded with trim upgrades that include light weight aluminum pedals and dead pedal as well as leather trimmed luxury logo floor mats. However the nicest touch comes from the three spoke TECHART sports steering wheel with Porsche airbag inside. The kit from TECHART can be all yours for only $24,200. That is not including the $4,000 engine kit or the Cayenne to put everything on, either way if you want a high quality high performance Porsche, you can’t go wrong with TECHART.
Citroen has recently revealed the C-Cactus concept a couple of years ago at the 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Due to this funky looking compact car’s warm reception from the public, the French automaker is seriously considering turning the concept car into full fledged production vehicle.
The C-Cactus is powered by a 70 HP HDi diesel engine combined with a particulate filter to clean the noxious gasses and an electric motor for additional propulsion, to the tune of 30 HP. The C-Cactus consumes slightly over 69 miles per gallon of diesel over a combined driving cycle; while emitting a very Euro important 78 g/km of CO2. If the U.S. can ever learn to accept the benefits of clean diesel technology we too could benefit from these efficient little machines.
The German automaker Porsche is already offering a 3.0 Liter V6 diesel option for the Cayenne SUV. However, the sports car maker is also considering a diesel powered Panamera sometime in the near future. "There are V6 and V8 diesels within the VW Group that could be used as a basis."
This means the company might add either same 240 HP 3.0 Liter V6 from the Cayenne, or even the 322 HP 4.2 Liter V8 alternatively fueled diesel borrowed from the Audi A8 thanks to the new Porsche VW alliance.
Next to a greener Panamera, Porsche is preparing a top of the line version of the four door super car that will sit above the current Turbo version and will be the equivalent to a Cayenne GTS.
The German variant of General Motors, Opel, has already released a green version of their popular four door Insignia model wearing the ecoFLEX badge, but that was it. Well now there is good news for fans of environmentally friendly wagons and estates, because Opel has just announced that their ecoFLEX Insignia will soon be available as a Sports Tourer.
The green five door is powered by a 2.0 Liter CDTI engine with the Clean Tech System producing 160 HP and an impressive 280 lb-ft of torque. The fuel efficient diesel burning drive train is complimented by a six speed manual transmission, complete with a higher final drive to allow highway cruising at lower engine speeds. The result is a Sports Tourer that can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 9.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 133.5 MPH, if those numbers don’t seem too impressive, than consider the vehicle’s fuel mileage of 44 MPG.
If only drivers here in the U.S. could learn to appreciate different things like sports wagons and diesel burning power plants. If we hadn’t attached such a lasting stigma to either of those two items then maybe we could enjoy a spirited ride in an ecoFLEX Insignia Sports Tourer, try getting that kind of performance and economy from a gasoline powered vehicle.
