The important word above is “here”.

U.S. oil demand has decreased a tiny amount in the past few months but demand in Brazil, Russia, China, India, Indonesia, etc has increased a great deal in the past several years.

We have to start thinking as residents of Earth and not just “here” the U.S.

Incidently, if we start drilling for oil along “our” coast and if we find oil in 5 years or so, guess what? The oil will just be lumped in with oil pumped out of Earth from all oil fields and the oil will go to the highest bidder on Earth.

Supply and Demand and patriotism have no connection.

The minivan market needs something like this, I think Nissan recently announced they would be releasing a new small minivan (smaller than the quest) with a turbo diesel, but I can’t find the link right now.

Diesel will not be more expensive than gas forever, it’s the new diesel regs that have boosted the price and once more refineries come up to speed, the price should come back down below gas.

Could put the MB R320CDI to rest. Go on, Chrysler.

Do a Challenger next.

It won’t be the 2.8 VM four cylinder as used in Europe. There is no program to make that engine US compliant, which is very expensive. It would either be the VW 2.0 four, which makes up to 170hp in Europe, or the MB V6. Both are US compliant.

So it becomes of question of what is cheaper: Putting a new drive train into the existing platform or getting the already done Euro spec’ 2.8 to meet 2010 US emissions. Could be doable with a DPF and Urea tank.

I would not want one in the 1st model year. The 2005 diesel KJs are notorious for eating their torque converters.

Or will they use the 2.2L Mercedes 4cyl?

Both could give 25mpg city and 30+ highway.

Even in my Jeep KJ which was not designed with fuel economy as a big consideration I get 22city and 25 highway from the 2.8VM.

There is a bit of a marketing issue for the math challenged with diesel costing more than gas.

May I respectfully suggest that you browse this site a bit more? Perhaps work your way back chronologically. And THEN tell me A) Cerberus is doing a good job and B) None of the current crisis could have been foretold.

Hey Brangelina, how bout a T&C to haul those adorable kiddies around?

In this case the packaging is challenging and key to the success of the project. Since this a “recent” project, hybrid possibility should have already been engineered in. I hope for their good they did.

To me is a good idea. But don’t understand the decision of going with the diesel ICE, given fuel prices and US “opinion” toward them. In fact, is a killer combo.

They have to overcome some major obstacles: quality (perceived or actual), advertising and marketing the fuel economy, public perception on company’s health. If they can figure out how to solve them, I think these things will be a hit.

If Chrysler fails at this, the idea, as usual, will be picked by the japanese -read Toyota/Honda-, “improved” -read gasoline instead of diesel ICE- and sold successfully. Then eventually they will install in 5 years, after everyone forgot the “infamous” Chrysler 1st experiment, and you will happily be buying a diesel-hybrid Sienna/Oddisey.

ICE: Internal Combustion Engine

What would lower the initial price of the powertrain, anyways? It’s still going to be low-volume and more expensive to produce than a gas engine, thanks to the urea-filled exhaust cleaners.

And don’t give that “in my area” anecdotal crap, either. According to the Energy Information Administration the average price of diesel across the country is $4.76, compared to $4.11 for gas. I think you’ll find that’s a 65 cent difference per gallon. The fact is that diesels aren’t going to make many inroads in the American market in the near term.

Two mode is essentially contained within the transmission case, which is a known space. The battery pack would probably fill the Stow’n'Go cavities and/or the rear-seat fold-down well and/or the spare tire space.

Hey! I resemble that remark! =P

there’s little evidence to suggest that mainstream consumers want to pay the estimated $2k premium for a diesel powerpant …

When I bought my TDI it was $2000 LESS than the gasoline powered model. Prices are subject to economic forces beyond what cynical pundits say they are… you know, supply, demand, etc. Automakers are charging a premium for Oelmotoren right now because they can, as well as small production numbers. Anything to improve profit margins in a dying business is a GOOD thing, right? Which way do you want it to go for the “.3″ of the Big 2.3?

…AND a buck more per gallon at the pump.

In my area, Diesel fuel is now at parity with Premium unleaded, and about 40¢ over regular unleaded. There have been times historically when Diesel fuel has been less than half the price of gasoline. Just because things are “right now”, doesn’t mean that they will always be. Prices change due to all sorts of reasons, and will change again in the future. Additionally petroleum is not the sole source of motivation for a Diesel powered car, nor is it the least expensive.

This may sound like a “rabid adherent”, but so long as the facts aren’t presented I’ll keep adding them on… just to keep you honest. =)

–chuck

As has been discussed ad nauseum here and elsewhere, the general mouthbreathing public can’t be arsed to do fancy mathematical calculations and will instead simply conclude that “diesel costs more than gas AND you are charging more for the diesel engine” and ignore those vehicles entirely. Which is likely going to happen, sadly.

Man, a minivan with monster torque, all that space, and getting 35mpg *combined*? That seems pretty sweet.

How long would it take to pay off the extra loot for the diesel, if its getting an extra 15+ mpg over the gas version, even with diesel being more expensive?

And what about a diesel-hybrid? Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds? Hybrid MPG in town, and diesel on the highway?

“The Mercedes diesel puts out 200 horsepower and an overwhelming amount of torque – in the range of 400 foot-pounds, Omotoso said. But its fuel economy is less than stellar, at a combined city/highway rate of about 35 miles per U.S. gallon,.”

Since VW can’t decide if they’re going to sell a Tiguan TDI in NA, people might actually check out the Routan if they offer it with a diesel. And I can’t see how a diesel Caravan could be bad for Chrysler, unless the price premium is too high and the stated EPA numbers are too low.