nsxt2000
10-13-2007, 10:59 PM
Diesel engines are making a comeback in the U.S. market after a disastrous introduction in the 1970's. Diesels got a bad reputation as being smelly, smokey, loud and sluggish...and rightly deserved. For 18 years my wife drove Mercedes-Benz diesel wagons (before she wised up and bought an MDX) and they did smell and were smoky and loud and sluggish plus on very cold mornings we had to plug in the fuel heater or it would turn to jelly - good in doughnuts; bad in engines. I think we still have some of the "diesel mitts" in our garage that were necessary when fueling up to keep your hands from smelling like you just overhauled a Mac truck.
Advancements have been made and todays diesels are cleaner and quieter and have more torque. With rising gas prices automakers believe Americans are ready to embrace the improved fuel economy and lower emissions offered by today's diesels. Europeans have done this for years and when faced with $5.00 per gallon gas prices the switch was easier.
Diesel engines get at least 25% better fuel economy than standard gasoline engines and that gets your attention. In fact,diesels compare favorably with gas-electric hybrid vehicles.
Mercedes re-intorduced new diesel passenger models last year, Volkswagen has plans to do likewise next year and Chrysler, which offers the Jeep Grand Cherokee as a diesel , may add others to the line up. This is in spite of the fact that it cost automakers $4,000 - $6,000 more to produce a diesel vahicle, and that cost, at least in part, is passed on to the consumer. As more automobiles on the production line are converted to diesel the differential will drop appreciably.
While there are benefits and liabilities associated with diesel engines, they are becoming more of an option in the marketplace. It is one way to help meet higher CAFE requirements of manufacturers.
The Japanese have not been as involved in diesel engines as the Europeans so I don't expect to see that V-10 diesel poweerplant in the next generation NSX!
-Mike S.
Advancements have been made and todays diesels are cleaner and quieter and have more torque. With rising gas prices automakers believe Americans are ready to embrace the improved fuel economy and lower emissions offered by today's diesels. Europeans have done this for years and when faced with $5.00 per gallon gas prices the switch was easier.
Diesel engines get at least 25% better fuel economy than standard gasoline engines and that gets your attention. In fact,diesels compare favorably with gas-electric hybrid vehicles.
Mercedes re-intorduced new diesel passenger models last year, Volkswagen has plans to do likewise next year and Chrysler, which offers the Jeep Grand Cherokee as a diesel , may add others to the line up. This is in spite of the fact that it cost automakers $4,000 - $6,000 more to produce a diesel vahicle, and that cost, at least in part, is passed on to the consumer. As more automobiles on the production line are converted to diesel the differential will drop appreciably.
While there are benefits and liabilities associated with diesel engines, they are becoming more of an option in the marketplace. It is one way to help meet higher CAFE requirements of manufacturers.
The Japanese have not been as involved in diesel engines as the Europeans so I don't expect to see that V-10 diesel poweerplant in the next generation NSX!
-Mike S.