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The powertrain show buzz
from the Cars blog
Every year at the Detroit show, there seems to be a predominant theme that the automakers gravitate toward, be it high performance, hybrids, trucks, or fanciful, retro concepts. This year, the buzz is all about diesel engines. Acura/Honda, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Subaru, and Volkswagen are among the many manufacturers making noise about their upcoming powerplants. In passenger cars, the Germans manufacturers have a solid head start. They are the closest to having 50-state legal (CARB Bin5) diesels for sale, with new models featuring urea injection and SCR catalysts ready to hit our shores. Other import nameplates are hot on their heels, though. Today, Subaru mentioned its imminent boxer diesel, and Honda spoke of a diesel model or two ready for 2009, starting with an Acura vehicle.
Our recent experiences with diesels have been quite positive; the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetech (Ratings available online to subscribers only) did very well in our tests, delivering 29 mpg overall and an outstanding 630-mile cruising range. And our test of a 2006 VW Jetta TDI also produced good mileage - 34 mpg overall and a bladder-busting 560-mile range.
The latest engines are quieter and cleaner than those in the past, and our tests showed them to be fairly lively performers—quite an appealing combination. But will U.S. buyers take to the new engines? Many people are still sore about the models from the early 1980s that proved to assault the senses and in some cases become reliability nightmares. For now, though, with modern, direct-injection, quick glow plugs and cleaner emissions, perhaps diesels look poised to make a comeback. While this year is the beginning of the automaker hype, we expect next year to see a growing number of engines will be unveiled in production-ready form. Diesels have been for sale in Europe for years, but American shores have only had them available in a limited number of cars or heavy-duty trucks.
Consumer Reports New cars: A to Z
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