Jalopnik: Diesel

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI: A Diesel Coupe For Menfolk

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:45:00 EST

Volkswagen calls the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI the "most fuel efficient 21st Century Beetle" because those old veedubs managed impressive fuel economy feats before safety was an issue. Legal precision aside, shoving a diesel in a new-but-not-New Volkswagen Beetle gives American men a shot at an affordable diesel coupe. More »

BMW M Cars Will Shred Tires With Three-Turbo Diesel Power

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST

BMW is launching a new high-performance, 3.0-liter inline six for its M cars. No surprise yet. It also has three turbochargers, produces 381 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque, and only revs to 5,400 rpm. Ruh Roh. Yes, it's a diesel. More »

Ultra rare Isuzu Bellel project for sale on Ebay

Tom Joslin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST

If you've never heard of an Isuzu Bellel, don't worry you're in good company. Although these little Isuzus were the first diesel car in Japan and sport one of the coolest set of taillights we've ever laid eyes on, they were never officially imported to the US. Accordingly not many people have ever seen or heard of the handful of Bellels that made it over here back in the 1960s. More »

Diesels make more sense than hybrids, says ex-Transportation Secretary

Wes Siler — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST

"Clean diesel" cars are cheaper, more readily available and more accepted in the market than hybrids or electric cars, according to a white piper published by former Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta. Holy crap, car enthusiasts have been trying to tell the world that for a decade. More »

For $7,500, you don’t have to be a superhero to have a Sidekick

graverobber — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST

In the 1992 movie Sidekicks, an asthmatic kid learns karate in the hope of meeting his hero, Chuck Norris. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Sidekick has an industrial diesel - which is likely pretty asthmatic as well - but will its price make it something even Chuck would kick to the side? More »

Fuel efficiency never looked so good

Wes Siler — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST

"Horsepower is old news. Big MPGs are what it's all about," reads the promotional blurb for the Pump Rebels 2012 Calendar. More »

For $4,500, go slowly, but carry a big stick shift wagon

graverobber — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EDT

The French make some of the best food in the world, and in fact both their fries and toast have become staples of the American gastronome. Sadly, French cars never found as much favor, despite such offerings as today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Peugeot 504 estate. That's too bad, but could the reason be that this one's price is hard to swallow? More »

Cummins powered 1960 Cadillac belches black smoke with style

Tom Joslin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EDT

Considering vintage Cadillacs are rarely the first choice for a hot rod platform, it's hard to believe this is the second old Caddy sedan we've seen with a Cummins diesel where it's factory V8 once was. While the other diesel Cadillac sedan we saw was a SEMA show car, this 1960 Cadillac currently listed on Ebay is pure ratty hot rod. More »

Audi E-Tron Spyder: First Drive

Wes Siler — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EDT

Sure, Audi's E-Tron is the sexiest electric car concept ever, but is it worth its weight in electrons as a true driver's weapon? We headed to the twisties of Southern California to find out if Audi's getting it right. More »

For $10,890, drive an Olds Gutless

graverobber — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EDT

Finding a survivor ‘70s GM product, and then discovering it has one of the company's diesel engines under hood is sort of like starting a semester abroad and then finding out your roommate is Amanda Knox. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Pipe Olds Cutlass is just such a discovery, and like Amanda, its price might just keep you up at night. More »

For $1,500, do you want fries with that?

graverobber — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EDT

If you should choose to dine exclusively at fast food joints, you will likely shorten your life by decades, and when you do die, you will require a hearse with Kenworth on its grille. In contrast, today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Benz W123 can sup on the dregs of burger joints with impunity, but will its price make it a happy meal? More »

Dodge truck engine explosion is a fireworks display of mechanical carnage

Tom Joslin — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:00:00 EDT

We don't really understand the sport of truck pulling, but we might be more interested in learning more about it if the pulling trucks regularly put on fireworks displays of mechanical carnage like the one seen here. More »

A Scania engine that's so trucking hot

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:00:00 EDT

Talk about ambiance. Check out how sultry a Scania nine-liter inline five can be, given the proper lighting. We'll never look at that crate of machine parts shipped from Slovenia to Northern Italy the same way again. More »

Friend pumps $45K worth of diesel into Bam Margera's Lambo

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EDT

A friend of Bam Margera's named "Cleveland" borrowed the Jackass co-star's Lamborghini Gallardo and put diesel fuel in the vehicle, causing an estimated $45,000 in damage. So far Margera's threatened to murder Cleveland on Twitter at least ten times. More »

What is the diesel of your dreams?

Tom Joslin — Sat, 21 May 2011 16:00:00 EDT

What better way to spend the last hours before Judgment Day than discussing the reliable and long lasting diesel engine and the interesting mix of car and trucks they have appeared in? This weekend we want to know what diesel powered vehicle makes you weak in the knees. What is the diesel of your dreams? More »

Custom diesel-powered Willys Wagon is a vintage SUV with a modern price tag

Tom Joslin — Sat, 21 May 2011 11:00:00 EDT

What would you do if you came upon a well used and slightly rusted vintage SUV? While some might just get it running and drive it, the owner of this vintage Willys Wagon decided two doors and an inline six just wouldn't do. The lifted and stretched four door Willys seen here is the unique result. Featuring a modern diesel drive-train this updated and restored Willys is currently for sale on Ebay. More »

Nissan, Cummins test four-cylinder diesel for Titan pickup

Justin Hyde — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:45:00 EDT

Cummins and Nissan are testing a 4-cylinder diesel engine for the Nissan Titan with the feds that could get 28 mpg while pumping more than 350 lbs-ft. of torque. Mahindra who? More »

For $17,500, this Defender 90 will never do 90

graverobber — Tue, 03 May 2011 08:00:00 EDT

The Land Rover Defender is like a Jeep for the tweedy crowd. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe 90 TDI is more than just tweedy, it's also tweety bird yellow. More »

Isuzu posts giant profit by not building cars

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EDT

It looks like Joe Isuzu found a way to make lots of money. All they had to do was stop building and selling cars. God Save The Impulse RS! More »

U.S. Jeep Grand Cherokee will get diesel V6

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:15:00 EDT

Someone with loose lips and a penchant for black sweaters let it be known the U.S. version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee will get Europe's 3.0-liter turbodiesel (good for 237 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque) sometime in 2013. Benissimo! More »

For $2,000, this diesel Roadmaster is a real loco-motive

graverobber — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EDT

Planes, Trains and Automobiles was hands down a great flick. Contrastingly, today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe 6.2 Diesel-converted Roadmaster is kind of plain, sounds like a train, and upon close examination, appears to be an automobile. But is its price all that and a bag of popcorn? More »

Tuner drops diesel into BMW Z4 for 63 mpg sports car

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EDT

Conundrum alert gearheads! Does your lust for diesel outweigh your desire for speed? Is a sexy BMW drop-top more or less sexy when you drop in a more powerful motor for a top-o-the-line diesel fourbanger? Would you rock AC Shnitzer's 99d concept car? More »

Setting speed records on ice

Tom Joslin — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EDT

If you want to set a land speed record in America you do it on the salt. In Sweden you do it on the ice. This video footage shows everything from rocket powered sleds to diesel powered trucks racing at last weekend's Orsa Speed Weekend held on a frozen lake in the Swedish town of Orsa . We have to imagine struggling for traction in the ice before trying to set a speed record is an issue unique to the northernmost land speed racing venue in the world. More »

For $3,950, this big Benz is a fuel slut

graverobber — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EDT

They say waste not, want not, and there's no better example of that than a WVO or bio-diesel-powered car. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Mercedes can go vegan, but does its price make you say, what a waste? More »

Would $14,000 for a diesel Caddy have you saying guten tag, you’re it?

graverobber — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EDT

For years the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. has been the 15-mpg average F150 pickup. With gas prices climbing like a frigid scrotum, maybe today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe VW diesel pickup would be better than best? More »

Diesel Ranchero is a work of genius

Tom Joslin — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST

Although this 1964 Ford Ranchero may look like your average vintage Ranchero (if there is such a thing), don't be fooled by your first impression. Under the hood of this unassuming car/truck hybrid lurks an equally unassuming but loud and smelly 198ci Nissan Diesel. More »

Ssangyong SUT 1 Concept is another truck too snooty for America

Justin Hyde — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST

Oh sure, who doesn't want a medium-sized, four-door pickup with a stout yet thrifty diesel engine that doesn't look like the fever dream of a barnyard welder? Thanks to Ssangyong, European and Asian buyers will get one similar to the SUT 1 Concept. More »

World's first plug-in diesel hybrid is a Volvo wagon

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST

The Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid combines too many things I like to be ignored (Volvo, diesel, wagon, AWD). This is Blue Bell Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream served by Allison Brie on the hood of... a Volvo wagon. More »

The dynasty lives on with the Mercedes 300D

Tom Joslin — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST

One cylinder and worlds apart from the line of historical German three liters shown in this 1984 Mercedes Benz commercial, after 27 years the claims of the 300D's contribution to Mercedes Benz's dynasty seem a lot less of a stretch. More »

Mercedes Bringing Diesel C-Class To US In 2012

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:45:00 EST

At last, the four-cylinder diesel C-Class we crave will be here 2012ish. GLK, too. [CarandDriver.com] More »

1965 Diesel De Ville on Ebay

Tom Joslin — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST

Seeing a flat black 1960s Cadillac sitting an inch off the ground is nothing new. This car is unique not for what it looks like but for what is lurking underneath its long hood; a 12 valve Cummins diesel. More »

For $7,500, It’s a Familiale Affair

graverobber — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

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La Résistance française, or the French Resistance, bedeviled their Nazi occupiers during WWII. Potentially, today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Citroën's complexities could be as vexing, but could you resist its price? More »

Europe Gets New Jeep Grand Cherokee With Old Diesel Engine

Ray Wert — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST

Chrysler will unveil the new Euro-spec Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 3.0-liter Common Rail Diesel (CRD) engine at this year's Geneva Motor Show. They'll likely also show off the new Chrysler 300. Sadly, we're only getting the latter. More »

What's the Best Car You've Ever Owned?

Tom Joslin — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST

Car ownership is a gamble. Owning the perfect car can easily turn out less than perfect. Buying a crappy car can sometimes work out a lot better than expected. You really never know. What‘s the best car you've ever owned? More »

Dodge Recalls 76,000 Diesel Trucks Over Brake Fluid Cap

Justin Hyde — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:45:00 EST

One wrong cap means Chrysler has to recall 76,000 diesel Rams for brake problems. [ConsumerReports] More »

Hear America's Only Nitrous-Boosted 24-Cylinder Supercharged Diesel

Justin Hyde — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST

California developer "Big" Mike Harrah already owns a 3,000-hp hot rod powered by a PT boat's V12. His next project? A Peterbuilt-based rod with a 24-cylinder Detroit Diesel, churning 3,400 hp via superchargers and nitrous. Un. Holy. More »

How To Make Your Pickup Truck Look Like A Semi

Justin Hyde — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST

Ever wanted to drive a big rig, but just couldn't find the time for trucker school? A Tennessee man will answer your prayers for a starting price of $13,000 with kits that convert old Detroit pickups into mini-semis. More »

Calif. Officials Write Law By Overestimating Pollution 340%

Justin Hyde — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:30:00 EDT

The California Air Resources Board put tough restrictions on off-road trucks three years ago based on estimating such machines burned 1 million gallons of diesel a year. Its estimates were off 340%, and now CARB has to weaken its rules. More »

Watch Petit Le Mans This Weekend Or Watch Nothing At All

Ms. Motor — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:20:00 EDT

Petit Le Mans, the 10-hour endurance race at Road Atlanta, is this weekend. Peugeots, a Porsche hybrid, Panoz — If you've got a TV and you love cars, what the hell else would you watch on Saturday? More »

Low Temp Combustion Is Not The Answer

Ms. Motor — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EDT

Argonne National Laboratory's developing a low temperature combustion system to offer diesel-like efficiency without the diesel-like emissions (or performance). Sound familiar? Ultimately, diesel's higher energy density makes attempts to dismiss its use misguided.(Hat tip to Elhigh!) [Wired Autopia] More »