Audi TT 2.0 TDI Quattro

Audi doesn't have any plans to build a production version of the R8 V-12 TDI concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show. However, they will be building the world's first series production diesel production sports car in the shape of the TT 2.0 TDI Quattro.

2008 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

The 2008 Geneva Motor Show is expected to feature several concept vehicles with diesel hybrid powertrains. To date no manufacturer has built a production light duty vehicle with a diesel hybrid system although buses with such systems are increasingly common.
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BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics

At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show BMW will show the first result of a collaboration to develop a mild hybrid system with Mercedes-Benz. A concept version of the X5 SUV uses the mild hybrid configuration in combination with the company's 2.0L twin-turbo diesel four cylinder.

2008 Mazda6 Wagon

Mazda has launched the latest edition of its mid-size Mazda6 in sedan form in Europe in November 2007. Five door hatchback and wagon versions are now available as is a brand new 2.0L four cylinder diesel.

Peugeot 908 HDi

After a strong showing at a recent test session at Sebring, Peugeot has announced that it will challenge the Audi R10 TDIs in the American Le Mans Series opener next month. 
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2009 Ford Mondeo

Ford will add a new diesel engine to the powertrain lineup for its larger European passenger models.  A larger 2.2L diesel co-developed with PSA will be added to the Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy models this year. 

2009 Ford Kuga

At the Geneva Motor Show next month Ford will be revealing the production version of its first European crossover.  The diesel-powered Ford Kuga which first appeared in concept form at the 2007 Frankfurt show is based on the same platform as the European Focus and C-Max models.

2009 Honda Accord European model

Honda has released details of the new European market version of the Accord ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The new Accord, which is smaller than the US model of the same name, will be sold in the US branded as the Acura TSX.
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VW Jetta TDI Cup racer

Volkswagen has released an eight race schedule for the inaugural 2008 edition of the Jetta TDI Cup.  The series will feature 30 aspiring young drivers in identically prepared diesel VW Jettas.
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2009 Acura TSX

The car most likely to be Honda's first US market diesel will make its debut at the 2008 New York Auto Show. The all new 2009 Acura TSX will be unveiled as the new entry-level model in Honda's sport luxury lineup in March.

Volkswagen confirms today that the first batch of 1,000 Jetta CleanTDI sedans and SportWagens will arrive at North American dealerships in June 2008.  Sales of the new fifty state legal diesels will start later this summer.
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Dick Colliver unveiling the new 2009 Acura RL

American Honda EVP Dick Colliver unveiled the 2009 Acura RL at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show and then spent a few minutes speaking with Diesel Forecast about Acura's diesel product plans.  In the coming years Honda plans to differentiate the luxury brand by offering more distinct power-train choices.

The Kelley Blue Book survey may say more about today’s car buyers than tomorrow’s diesel vehicles. Nevertheless, diesel manufacturers are going to have to do more to turn around decades-old perceptions.

Audi A8s in Davos in 2007

This year Audi is again supplying transportation for officials attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This time around the fleet is powered by a new fuel making the transition from race track to road.(more)

A GM diesel/hybrid bus during the '06 Superbowl in Detroit

As the eco-minded Washington, DC Auto Show begins, GM announces it has reeled in orders for its hybrid buses that are nearly double the size of the existing fleet. The automaker says transit groups in DC, Philadelphia and Minneapolis/St. Paul have ordered 1,732 buses.

Read all about the new diesel vehicles and powertrains premiering in Detroit.

The '09 Forester

Fuji Heavy Industries President Ikuo Mori says the 2.2-liter flat-four turbodiesel engine, which will go on sale in Europe this year in Impreza and Forester models, will be introduced to the U.S. by mid-2010. (more)

The LRX

The 2.0-liter is being readied for research clinics at this point, and that it is being developed for 50-state and Euro 6 emissions requirements and for biodiesel compatibility(more)

The four-cylinder, 2.2L i-DTEC

The four-cylinder, 2.2L i-DTEC is developed without the need for urea-based after-treatment, which would make it viable for all 50 states. Honda has developed unique catalyst technology that allows the engine to produce it’s own ammonia on-board for use in NOx reduction. (more)

The Kia 3.0L V-6

Kia Motors is displaying a 3.0L V-6 clean diesel at the North American International Auto Show. The engine is targeted for the 2010 Borrego and some Hyundai models. (more)

The Mitsubishi RA Concept

A transparent engine cover reveals an all-new, 2.2-liter four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbo diesel engine. The new mule will deliver 201hp and top torque of 310lb-ft.(more)

The CTS Coupe Concept

On stage at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit today Ed Welburn, GM's chief designer, VP Design unveiled a new coupe edition of the CTS. Currently the CTS coupe is labeled only as a concept altough such a car could appear in production in the next few years.(more)

The BMW X5 Diesel

BMW USA Chief Executive Tom Purves spoke with DieselForecast before the unveiling of their first US market diesel engines in more than two decades. Later in the day the company announced that the new 335d and X5 xDrive35d would go on sale later this year. (more)

The R8 brings a "revolution" in diesel.

Audi has unveiled a new concept version of it's R8 sports car at the North American International Auto Show powered by the 6.0L V-12 TDI shown in the Q7 concept at the 2007 show.(more)

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe

Toyota Motor Co. President Katsuaki Watanabe confirms that a new diesel V-8 will propel the Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV, while indicating the automaker will increase research into making ethanol from wood waste. Still, Toyota is taking a wait and see approach on E85 in the US.(more)

BMW twin-turbocharged 3.0L diesel

One year after announcing plans to introduce clean diesel technology to its US lineup, BMW has indicated which models will receive the new engines. Starting late in 2008, the X5 xDrive35d and 335d will go on sale in all 50 states.(more)

Jetta TDI Cup race car

Volkswagen is inviting interested racers to test their skills in its inaugural Jetta TDI Cup. The competing Jettas will be powered by 2.0L TDI engines with 6-speed DSG gearboxes, upgraded brakes and limited slip differentials.(more)

2007 BMW 535d

The BMW 535d is a shining example of what can be achieved with modern diesel technology. German supplier Bosch recently provided Diesel Forecast with European spec BMW 535d to evaluate and it proved most impressive.

Click here to see the video.

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2008 Nissan Forum Concept

Nissan has taken the wraps off of a new diesel powered family transportation vehicle called the Forum. The van-like Forum will be shown publicly for the first time at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

Click here to see the video.

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A field of canola

Chrysler, Michigan State University and the Environmental Protection Agency are evaluating the potential use of a contaminated brownfield site for growing biofuel feedstock crops.(more)

2009 Cadillac turbodiesel V-6

General Motors has consistently stated that a recently announced diesel V-6 for the European market Cadillac CTS would not come to the US market. But that may be changing as oil prices penetrate the $100 a barrel mark and Congress moves toward higher mileage standards.(more)

US Capitol Building

The House of Representatives has passed an energy bill that could bring the first increase in fuel economy standards since the mid 1980s. It's still unclear if this bill will become law.(more)

Toyota 4.5L D-4D diesel V-8

Toyota introduced the redesigned 2008 Land Cruiser at the Sydney Motor Show in October. The powertrain lineup overseas includes the 4.7L gasoline V-8 the US market gets plus an all-new 4.5L diesel V-8 which come here in the future.(more)

2008 Ford Focus ecoNetic

In North America, buyers of the Ford Focus only have to choose whether they want to match up their 2.0L gas engine with a five speed manual or four speed automatic transmission. Over in Europe, Focus drivers get select from a range of powertrain choices that includes five different diesel engines with up to 54.7 mpg. (more)

The diesel Renegade concept.

For diesel intenders, the biggest potential breakthrough is be the union of lithium-ion batteries and a diesel powertrain in the Jeep Renegade Concept, with a 110 mpg fuel economy.(more)

The Euro-diesel Accord drew several curious passersby.

We test drive the European market Accord i-CTDi on loan from diesel supplier Bosch USA fleet. Compared to its gasoline counterpart, the Accord i-CTDi diesel is loaded with torque and civilized too.(more)

Various feedstock oils used by NextDiesel to produce biodiesel.

The Adrian-Michigan based NextDiesel isn’t yet blending diesel-based fuels, although it has certification to do so. It’s currently producing B100, or 100 percent biodiesel. The founders say they’re spending a lot of time convincing prospective customers that their product is high quality. Backyard stills and other small outfits brewing and blending biodiesel are turning out blended fuels that are not anywhere near consistent, adding to the pressure for a nationally recoginized standard for the fuel blend. (more)

With newly acquired technology, Tenneco engineers say they were able to recalibrate the 2007 Ford Superduty to reduce NOx levels by 70 percent in just a few days. Normally, the process can take months and cost hundreds of thousands. They see not only speed, but also scalability in the new technology, which Tenneco says has the OEMs interested.(more)

Jim Press

After 37 years with Toyota during which he shepherded the Prius hybrid into a marketplace hit, Jim Press is finely attuned to American consumers wishing to go green. His endorsement of clean diesel above hybrid in reducing CO2 emissions may be telling of the direction he's taking Chrysler.(more)

VW's four-month Dieselution Tour kicks off.

In launching a four-month tour to promote its all-new diesel Jetta TDI and all things diesel, Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen of America, says evaluations are “ongoing” into whether the company will invest in a new plant to build oil burning models. (more)

The '08 Ford Focus.

Many of the same powertrain engineers who worked on the European Focus are participating in the transition for the American model, begging the question of whether the Dearborn automaker is moving closer to a diesel passenger car than it's letting on.(more)

The UK-based diesel supplier is now testing an engine it says would kick out emissions well below either US or European regulations, and without having to resort to urea or ammonia chemical aftertreatment to scrub NOx from the tailpipe.(more)

The ‘07 Nissan Maxima

The Maxima, currently equipped a 3.5L V-6, picks up Renault’s concept 3.0L liter diesel in 2010, as Nissan joins the growing diesel pack in the US. (more)

The Opel Flextreme demonstrates the design the versatility of the E-Flex platform.

A 1.3L common-rail turbo diesel serves only to generate electricity while an electric motor propels the front-wheel drive concept from a plug-in charged, lithium-ion battery pack. Despite all the eco-attributes, the Flextreme may not carry as much near-term production momentum the Chevrolet Volt.(more)

While a Porsche RS Spyder grabbed the win, the Audi R10 TDI teams took second and third place overall, given Mo’ Town a taste of what diesel technology has in store for motorsports.

Click here to see the video.(more)

The Kuga five-seater is modeled after the 2005 iosis X concept and is the first crossover developed by Ford of Europe.

Dodge and Ford bring out brand new production-bound crossovers and diesel mills to match, while Mercedes-Benz 320 Bluetec goes hybrid - at least in concept. (more)

The Corsa diesel hybrid concept.

Opel and other European automakers are moving toward diesel hybrid concepts. But the costs, even for less pricey mild hybrid systems, remain the highest barrier in delivering them to market. (more)

The original marketing photo for the 1977 Rabit diesel.

VM received 200 responses from loyal diesel owners as the automaker sought the oldest and highest mileage oil burners still on the road in the US. The quest netted a ’77 Rabbit and an '86 Jetta Turbo Diesel with 562,000 miles. (more)

Honda’s ’08 Accord hits the market in September with the most powerful four-cylinder and V-6 it has ever produced.

Honda’s new Accord is the largest and most powerful version ever built – attributes that would nicely carry over to a diesel variant. The automaker has pledged to bring a four-cylinder to the U.S., possibly by the end of the decade. Its under-development 2.2-liter i-CTDi is the obvious candidate. (more)

The Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger (seen here) are powered by a 2.0L diesel in Europe.

James Weidenbach, who manages diesel applications and power train platform engineering at Chrysler, says the Auburn Hills automaker is firmly behind introducing diesels in the US.(more)

Delphi, as well as joint venture formed by Bosch and Denso, announced new diesel investments in Romania and Poland, respectively. (more)

Some published reports say Cadillac and Saturn will have diesel variants by 2010. The US CTS is likely to receive the V-6 2.9-liter turbo diesel engine GM designed with VM Motori for sale in Europe in 2009.

GM’s purchase of 50 percent of VM Motori SpA strongly suggests the Detroit automaker’s plunge into diesel development passenger vehicles for passenger cars in North America, but Lutz sought to downplay the diesel "hype." (more)

Norbert Krause, director of engineering and environment at VW of America, chats with Diesel Forecast about the new Jetta TDI.

The redesigned TDI powerplant brings a 40 percent increase in horsepower and 33 percent boost in torque above the outgoing 1.9liter four cylinder. VW is gauging fuel economy between 40 and 50mgp.

Click here to see the video.(more)

GM has announced all of its light-duty trucks, such as its Silverado, produced after 2009 will have diesel mills. Ford is considering its diesel options for its prized F-150.

One analyst sees Ford positioning an in-house designed and built 4.4liter V-8 diesel engine powering the F-150, as well as large SUVs, such as the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.(more)

The Touareg 2 enters U.S. dealerships this summer.

With 310hp and 553lb ft of torque, there's a lot for power lovers to adore about Touareg 2. But VW's upcoming 3.0liter V6 TDI diesel, equipped with Bluetec, may just usurp the mighty V-10. (more)

Executives listen to auto pundit David Cole (center) discuss challenges and the potential of alternative fuel vehicles.

Auto executives are walking a tighter than normal tightrope – conceding concerns of carbon emissions and global warming, while at the same time managing expectations of what exactly can be achieved under the hood. (more)

Audi’s R10 and Peugeot’s HDi FAP prototype joust during the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

A gunfight between Audi’s R10 and Peugeot’s HDi FAP ended in that order at the French endurance classic, the first ever 1-2 finish for diesel powertrains in the 75th year of Le Mans. (more)

Mississippi State University student engineers drive their winning Chevy Equinox, powered with B20.

GM's Challenge X:Crossover to Sustainable Mobility competition to modify a Chevy Equinox as the most efficient low-emissions vehicle was dominated with biodiesel powertrains.(more)

A pair of Touareg 2 teams, Volkswagen’s first factory-built entrants to desert racing, more held their own in the Baja 500 by winning their class and running the entire course without refueling.

One of two Volkswagen Touareg 2 models running the Baja 500. In their first desert circuit race, neither vehicle finished in the top 10, but neither one required stops for refueling during the punishing race. (more)

The diesel and gasoline pricing discrepency could last through the summer.

While clean diesel is cheaper than regular gasoline by 40 cents a gallon, analysts do not expect the high gap to continue, as some oil companies have announced plans to dramatically increase diesel output in response to growing numbers of oil-burning models and mounting global demand for all petroleum-based fuels. (more)

An artist rendering of a new biodiesel plant in Detroit, which is for completion in the fall. - Image courtesy of Albert Kahn Associates.

The Santa Barbara-based Biodisel Industries Inc. broke ground on a new biodiesel production facility. The company also is partnering with DaimlerChrysler and nonprofit research group NextEnergy, to grow biodiesel feedstock crops at abanded brownfield sites in Detroit. (more)

Senator Carl Levin and Corland Publisher Rob Cleveland discuss technical evolutions driving diesel and hydrogen for the North American market.

Senator Carl Levin and top automaker and supplier representatives attended the first Advanced Powertrain Forum held at the Detroit Athletic Club by Corland Publishing, producers of online magazines, Hydrogen Forecast and Diesel Forecast.(more)

BMW's diesel Z9 was launched in 1999

Five extravagent diesel concept cars were launched in 2005, yet more diesel-powered dream cars have been introduced this decade, including two each from BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, and GM. FOR FULL PHOTO GALLERY CLICK HERE(more)