Volvo just announced a new diesel engine for its European lineup. Displacing 2.5-liters, the twin turbocharged five-cylinder delivers 205-horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Sounds solid for such a small engine, but we'll never know how it feels as Volvo said it has no plans to bring it to the U.S.
Curiously enough, after listing the various reasons why we won't get the new engine, a Volvo spokesman told Inside Line, "That said, in about three years we'll be offering electric systems, like C30 and other platforms. So for [the] U.S., we're in transition to electric." Seems as though the push for electric cars is finally getting some steam behind it. We'll see how soon it actually results in some real world cars.
jederino says:
05:59 PM, 01/ 7/09
Are we not getting it because of the price of diesel here compared to gasoline? Or, it it because of emissions standards? Sounds like a nifty motor - I want to learn more.
oberg says:
08:22 AM, 01/ 8/09
It seems all these manufacturers assume there is no market for diesel here. Of course, it is a self-fulfilling prophecy if they never offer diesels here in the first place. No diesels = no market.
rick8365 says:
09:41 AM, 01/ 8/09
Agreed, Oberg.
bbechtel16 says:
11:48 AM, 01/ 8/09
Current diesel prices (on the East Coast anyway), combined with our ridiculous emissions requirements, make diesel cars a non-starter, even for people enthusiastic about diesel, such as myself. What percentage of the masses will want to pay 1-2k more for a diesel to spend MORE money on fuel because it's a buck a gallon more?
firstwagon says:
12:29 PM, 01/ 8/09
What do truckers think of the overly high diesel prices in the US? If you are paying a buck a gallon more for diesel, you're being ripped off.
Here in Canada, diesel goes about the same price as regular and our mix on the roads is about the same as the US.
It just seems odd for Americans to be so passive about being ripped off.
redliner says:
09:09 AM, 01/ 9/09
Will Volvo make Lithium-ion safe? LOL