Chrysler: The Powertrain Plans
By Edward NiedermeyerNovember 5, 2009
One of Chrysler’s major problems in the powertrain department is a mass of V6 engines of varying ages and displacements. The lack of interchangeability between engines contributes to Chrysler’s unprofitability, and the advanced age of some hurts overall fuel efficiency considerably. The debut of a brand-new Pentastar V6, arriving with next year’s Grand Cherokee, will change all that. The 280 hp, 260 lb-ft engine will replace all of Chrysler’s V6s, and handily gives Fiat their only modern V6. Single and twin-turbo versions are being considered. Meanwhile V8s aren’t going away, with 5.7 and 6.4 liter versions planned.
Posted in Diesel | Fuel Economy | News Blog | Technology | 25 comments 
Ram 1500: Diesel Option Dead?
By Edward NiedermeyerOctober 27, 2009
Fans of oil-burners, brace yourselves. Dodge is confirming [via Detroit News] that a hybrid Hemi version of its light-duty Ram pickup is in the works. A diesel option, however, is still being reviewed. And its prospects aren’t looking good. When Chrysler senior vice president of engineering Scott Kunselman confirmed that the hybrid would be a reality, the only thing he would say about the diesel option is that he “isn’t convinced there is enough of a market among recreational buyers,” who buy light-duty trucks. His argument is that recreational light-duty buyers don’t see the long-term reliability of diesels as being worth the extra price of admission, a perspective which reflects both the classic “Detroit knows best” attitude and a resignation on Chrysler’s part to doing business from Consumer Reports’ cellar. Especially considering Chrysler’s partners in developing its two-mode hybrid appear to be walking away from the technology. And since 85 percent of heavy-duty rams are bought with the diesel engine, you’d think it would make a certain amount of sense to offer a Cummins option in the mass-market model. But it’s looking like that train will not be coming back to the station. Meanwhile, has anyone seen Mahindra lately? We’re starting to worry…
Posted in Diesel | Hybrid | News Blog | 30 comments
The Dirty Business Of Clean Diesels
By Paul NiedermeyerOctober 2, 2009
We get accused a lot of being anti-diesel. In reality, most of us love driving them. Paying for them is another issue. VW has just announced pricing on the new 2010 Golf VI, and the diesel premium is…premium. As in $4500. Strictly speaking, that investment also buys you a slightly lowered suspension (cost to VW: $0), and a slightly better audio unit (cost to VW: $50?). Here are the numbers: 2 door gas (2.5, 170 hp, EPA: 22/30) starts at $17,490; 2 door TDI (2.0, 140 hp, EPA: 30/41) starts at $21,990. Annual fuel cost savings are $362 for the TDI. Maintenance and repair costs favor the gas engine. Zero to sixty is similar with either model, with the gas (7.8 seconds) edging out the diesel (8.6 seconds) by a nose. The question we have is why not bring over VW’s excellent new 1.6 liter TDI engine, which makes 105 hp, and can easily top 50 mpg. Do diesel drivers prefer lowered suspensions and high(er) performance, or maximum mileage and a lower price?
Posted in Diesel | New Cars | News Blog | 99 comments
In Case You Were Wondering…
By Edward NiedermeyerSeptember 28, 2009
Posted in Diesel | News Blog | 19 comments
Positive Post of the Day: More Diesels for America Edition
By Edward NiedermeyerSeptember 16, 2009
Just be prepared to pay for them. Audi USA honcho Johan De Nysschen explains to Automotive News [sub] that “there certainly is a price premium [for diesel offerings], which we are partially recovering but not totally.” Audi CEO Rupert Stadler adds, “I think the problem is that we don’t really have an honest discussion.” So here it is, America: Audi’s going out on a limb so that you can enjoy some of the finest oil-burners Europe has to offer. Now it’s up to us to buy tons of them at exorbitant prices so that Audi doesn’t look stupid for taking the risk. That’s just how these things work, America. Now go grab those checkbooks and start learning about the difference between low-sulfur diesel and ultra-low-sulfur diesel. And don’t forget to refill that urea tank!
Posted in Diesel | News Blog | Positive Post Of The Day | 51 comments
Ford Completes In-House Super Duty Diesel
By John HornerSeptember 1, 2009
The long Ford-Navistar diesel engine drama has played out its final days and the replacement engine is finally officially in existence. Given the troubles—contractual and otherwise—with the outgoing Navistar-sourced engine, Ford is quite eager for everyone to know the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke engine is “Ford-engineered, Ford-tested and Ford-manufactured”. Buried amongst the PR gems in the release is this nugget: “On turbocharger service, for example, the body/cab no longer has to be removed from the frame to access the turbo.” Wow, that means you have to remove the truck body to repair the turbocharger on the current engine. Ouch.
Posted in Diesel | News Blog | 51 comments
Who Says You Can’t Have It All? Not the Europeans . . .
By Cammy CorriganAugust 24, 2009
Mick Jagger once sang that “you can’t always get what you want,” and, to a degree, he was right. As a petrol head and committed environmentalist, I’ve found I’ve had to make compromises. After going crazy in my friend’s Porsche Boxster, I develop a painful pang of guilt of all the resources I wasted in the name of fun. No, really. Likewise, after driving greenly in my Toyota Yaris on a long drive (achieving 50 mpg for anyone who’s interested), I feel like I’ve watched a Russell Brand stand up show (i.e., I feel like my soul is damaged due to the absence of fun). But now it seems like Mr. Jagger’s words are out of date. Apparently, you CAN get what you want . . . .
Posted in Diesel | Europe | Fuel Economy | News Blog | 40 comments
VW Ditches Ad Agency in Bid for “Mainstream Relevance”
By Edward NiedermeyerAugust 17, 2009
Ahem . . . Automotive News [sub] reports that VW is seeking a new ad agency, after four years with Crispin Porter & Bogusky. “Our goal of rapidly increasing our volume in a mature market requires the Volkswagen brand to evolve into a more relevant mainstream choice,” explains VW VP Marketing Tim Ellis.
The Volkswagen brand needs to inspire our base of enthusiasts as well as reach out and captivate those in mainstream America. Therefore, we are re-evaluating all areas of our business and after careful considerations have decided to take the necessary steps to ensure we have the right agency partner in place.
After all, VW is kind enough to dumb down its product line (cough) for America’s benighted mainstream. The problem must be the ads!
Posted in Diesel | Marketing | News Blog | 76 comments
Hammer Time: You Deserve a Break Today
By Steven LangJuly 10, 2009
Evening time. Time for conversations, drinks, jokes and . . . spreadsheets? Apparently so. I’ve caught this nasty computerized bug lately. The symptoms are harder to shake than swine flu and almost as appealing. It’s figuring out my ‘cost to own’ for a variety of cars. The goal: get my cost down to 10 cents a mile. Three hours and too much wine later, I wondered. “Can it really happen in this world of $3 gas?” With purchase price, insurance, gas, opportunity cost, maintenance, repairs, and government fees aplenty, not to mention a junker selling price with inflation to boot, I wasn’t quite sure. In fact my head was spinning. The final answer?
Posted in Diesel | Hammer Time | News Blog | 26 comments
BMW 316d: Worth a Longing Glance?
By Edward NiedermeyerJune 25, 2009
It’s BMW’s most efficient 3 series yet, which means it’s a brand-killer stateside Not to worry though, the new M5 will have 600hp. We’ll get that. Anyway, the two liter BMW oil burner gets 62.8mpg (52 miles per US gallon, non-EPA testing) and emits fewer than 120 grams of carbon per kilometer. Too bad it still starts at about $38K (in the UK). And takes 10.9 seconds to reach 62 mph. And since we’re in the realm of Euro-diesel fantasy, wouldn’t you just as soon cough up $40-42K for a 123d five-door? It may only get 50 mpg (41 US, etc), but it’s the first diesel to produce 100 hp per liter, and “a gem of an engine,” according to Autocar. Back in the stark reality of the American market though, that new M5 is going to have a twin-turbo V10. And in case that’s not enough, it will also boast a boost button based on the F1 KERS system. Good times.
Posted in Diesel | Europe | Fuel Economy | News Blog | 33 comments
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