If it weren't for the killer coffee, we might have boycotted all European auto shows years ago. Year after year, show after show, it was the same thing: diesel, diesel and diesel. If you listen long enough to representatives of European carmakers (and you really couldn't avoid it), you might also be convinced that diesel was/is/will be the messiah. We took to just faking a medical emergency...
The engine was developed with Italian diesel specialist and Chrysler affiliate VM Motori. Don't expect to see a diesel CTS for the U.S. market, where GM says diesels are best left to pickup trucks and big sport-utility vehicles. Those big boys will get a new GM diesel V8, making 330 hp, sometime after 2009. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
yipyipyipee says:
09:20 AM, 03/ 6/07
It should be noted market demand for diesel autos is largely driven by the taxes imposed by European governments. Plus the 20-30% increase in mileage (kilometers) per liter of fuel helps.
As Mr. Pund knows, diesel technology has advanced by leaps and bounds by the German manufacturers, but also the Japanese, specifically Honda, are making very advanced and quiet diesel engines.
I'd be interested to see what the North American car buyer will think of these newer cars and engines, when sulfur-free diesel becomes more readily available.
ateixeira says:
10:11 AM, 03/ 6/07
Problem is, the way our taxes go, diesel costs more than gas, a lot more. Around me the price difference pretty much offsets whatever gains in efficiency you have.
There would have to be a change in the tax structure here before diesel becomes as successful here as it is in Europe.
nwng says:
02:12 PM, 03/ 6/07
actually, diesel here is $.20 more than 87 oct