Auto Industry Hopes For Diesel Comback

[rudyhiebert]

"Oil shortages and high gasoline prices in 1970's piqued consumer interest in diesel passanger vehicles. Sales flourished but quickly fell as motorists found them to be unreliable, underpowered, loud and smelly. Interest in in diesel vehicles in the U.S. has remained low, with diesels accounting for less than one percent of car sales in 2002. However car makers ae now set to launch new fleets of diesel vehicles, hoping Americans (and Candians) will give them another chance."

The Amsoil's July 1, '03 Action News front page article goes on to say that DaimlerChrysler plans to introduce diesel-powered Jeep Liberty models and a Mercedes E-Class sedan in the near future.

Automakers hope fuel efficient diesel models will help offset the low fuel economy ratings of their gas guzzling SUV's and large pick-ups.

Diesel vehicles face barriers in California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont, five states which have enacted emission standards stricter than the feneral government's. It is uncertain whether diesels will be immediately available in thoes states. However automakers are confident all 50 states will be offering diesels by 2006, the year federally mandated clean diesel fuel hits the market.

[The General]

I have just test driven a Passat TDi and I have driven the New Jetta TDi (also with the PD technology). I have also driven the older TDi, a 1986 Golf diesel and, finally, a smart fortwo coupe CDi which is also a diesel.

Now, if I compare the older diesels (anything before 2000-01), they were sluggish, noisy and did pollute a whole lot. Since then, there have been tons of improvements such as direct injection. This system permits more fuel pressure to be directly injected inside the combustion chamber (therefore less loss and fumes...). The end result is a cleaner burn, more perfomance and less waste.

The Passat TDi was suprisingly fast. A 2.0L turbo with only 134 hp but with 247 lb/ft of torque. The only problem with the last 2 TDi PDs that I have driven displayed occasional puffs of black smoke. This is not a car problem though, it's actually a fuel issue.

I would certainly buy a diesel powered car but only if the Government intends on improving the quality of the diesel within the next few years.

I've heard stories of severly damaged engines because of this... over a long period of time and kms though. :?

[The General]

Ford Mondeo ST TDCi.

2.2L 4 cylinder 152 hp and 295 lb/ft torque on overboost.
0-100: 8.7 seconds

This is a good argument againts slow, unattractive diesel cars.

http://channel4.com/4car/media/F/ford/mondeo/03-large/04-st-tdci-f3q-a.jpg

http://channel4.com/4car/media/F/ford/mondeo/03-large/04-st-tdci-r3q-stu.jpg

Here's the link:
http://channel4.com/4car/road-tests/driving-impressions-2004/F/ford/mondeo-st-tdci.html

[snoproblem]

Is that car the basis for the Ford Five Hundred?

[The General]

Good question... I don't think so... I know that it's the same platform as the Jaguar X-Type. I think the 500 is based on a mildly modified Volvo S60 platform.

[Capital Car Guy]

Quite frankly, I think that Diesel is the alternative fuel vehicule who's time has well come to North America.

I first became enamored with Diesels after driving a Citroen Xantia 1600km's through Europe in 1998 and filling up only twice. The second time was to bring the car back to the Rental company and it was still at half a tank. Amazing torque combined with great fuel economy is a recipe I couldn't resist.

Although I ordered in July and don't take delivery/possesion until Dec 15(!), I can't give you any ownership perspective on this vehicule as yet, but in test driving it, it was a surreal experience. At idle when cool/cold, the traditional clatter/rattle and a slight odour was noticeable only standing beside the vehicule, but both disappeared once warmed. Inside you couldn't hear it at all.

Off the line, it is a little sluggish, as it doesn't rev freely, but when up to speed, it was quite responsive, very quiet and camel like thrifty on fuel, fuel that's chepaer to begin with. I entered a highway on-ramp at 120Khm an hour and punched it, and it shot to 130Kmh before you could say 'aye Carumba'. And, at that speed, the tach was reading 2200RPM and the On board computer was registering 4.6L/100km, which I think converts to about 45MPG. I'm sold. I've owned 3 other turbo cars (Saab/Volvo/Mazda) and none of them delivered this much power this smoothly or cheaply.

If this is Diesels present, then I'd say that it's future is bright, epecially if standards in diesel formulations come to fruit. From VW, this Diesel is only a $300 premium over the gas versions, I'll be able to re-coup that in about 3 months. In the meantime, let gas hit a $1.00 a litre, I will be the one laughing all the way past the station and to the bank.
:lol:

[R.S.]

The first car I´ll buy will definitely be a diesel one. There are few reasons for this:

1) I am completely against fossil fuels, and I beleive oil diesel fuel will soon be replaced with biodiesel made of vegetable oils.

2) Consumption of diesel engines is signifcantly less then that of an equivalent gasoline engine.

3) Gasoline will most probably be replaced by ethanol, but gasoline engines need to be modified to use it.

4) Hydrogen engines are still too expensive and I have not seen any filling stations around :)

5) Gasoline-electric hybrids are not an option, because they still use gasoline and old batteries are a huge source of environmental pollution.

I hope more quality diesel fuel will be produced and Canada will follow Europe, where almost 50% of cars are diesel powered. 8) :wink:

[The General]

I don't know how much cheaper diesel is in other areas but in Montreal, they are about 0.01$ apart (Gas 0.904$ and diesel: 0.895$) per litre.

For the moment, while engineers are figuring out what will be the energy of tomorrow, we have to reduce consumption as well as reduce emissions. I think, therefore, that Hybrids are a step in the right direction but more should be done.

[R.S.]

Same here, in Vancouver, some stations sell diesel for the same price as regular, some have couple of cents difference. :evil:

I´m puzzled why? Gasoline is primary product of oil refining, while diesel fuel is a byproduct. :?

[snoproblem]

The first car I´ll buy will definitely be a diesel one. There are few reasons for this:

5) Gasoline-electric hybrids are not an option, because they still use gasoline and old batteries are a huge source of environmental pollution.

Only if someone just dumps it in a landfill. Aren't these kinds of batteries recyclable?

As for why diesel is occasionally on a price-par with gasoline...I've largely given up trying to figure out oil-company 'logic'. Frankly, I think the only thing that motivates anything they do is simple, naked, ugly GREED. :bang:

[Capital Car Guy]

As for Diesel pricing, it's anywhere from 2 to 7 cents per litre cheaper here in Ontario (Ottawa) than gas depending on the retailer and demand. The demand is dictated by the price swings for gas, Provincial taxes play a role in pricing from province to province as well.

Here in Ontario, "coloured" diesel (the exact same stuff, it just has coloured dye in it) is also distributed and sold to non-road going vehicule's and applications, such as Tractors, Graders, Generators and Pumping Stations. It is about 10% cheaper than regular road going market value diesel because the provincial government wants to cut farmers and others some slack. Truckers, you and I still get screwed.

Refining, distribution and profit makes up about a third of what we pay at the pump, the rest is all taxes, taxes, taxes. Check out the price guide pie charts on Petro Canada pumps that break down who gets what.

[woohoo!]

That pie chart on Petro-Canada's pumps is outdated since the gas price hikes. The 2% profit they announce is BS. But you're right, the rest is taxes

[snoproblem]

By the way - coloured diesel? What colour? I didn't know about this! :?

[woohoo!]

Different colours for different priced-diesel fuels. Probably different smoke colour also to set them apart.

[The General]

There is 1 colour for household diesel and another for car destined diesel.

I think there may be another kind but I'm not sure...