Jalopnik: Turbodiesel

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 »

The lightweight 50 mpg turbodiesel sports car no one builds

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 20 May 2011 12:00:00 EDT

What would the perfect 21st century sports car be like? Autocar magazine fantasizes about a low, wide, mean-looking roadster with the weight of a pregnant carp and the torque of a farm tractor. Give or take. Actually, it's better than it sounds. More »

New Audi S6 and S7 to pack a diesel punch

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:15:00 EDT

Rumor has it the sportier S versions of the A6 and A& will add turbodiesels as an option next year. An übersedan with an überdiesel? Now you're torquing. 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 »

Volkswagen's 260 MPG Diesel Hybrid Coupe

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST

Showing a high-mileage prototype in oil country? That takes some brass ones, Volkswagen. The company went to Qatar to reveal the XL1. VW says the diesel hybrid can travel more than 260 miles on a gallon of UAE tea. More »

Hypermiling The Honda Civic And Audi Q7 Diesels

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EDT

Let's get one thing straight: We do not hate green cars. We like green cars. We like diesel. We like weirdness and engineering genius. Which is why we decided to conduct a fuel-economy experiment with a heavy right foot. More »

For $6,475, Be A Super Trooper

graverobber — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EDT

Joe Isuzu once caught a bullet in his teeth to demonstrate how fast a Piazza could be. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe diesel Trooper is no where near that fast, but is the seller's spiel as endearing as Joe's? More »

Zuhälter Meine Reiten for $4,500!

graverobber — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EDT

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Modern Mercedes diesels feature Bluetec which treats emissions like jellyfish stings, making them better by whizzing on them. Today, Nice Price or Crack Pipe has a blue '79 300SD, the purchase of which could also mean a golden shower. More »

$294 Bill Shows Why Mercedes Diesels Will Piss Off U.S. Consumers

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST

The hidden cost in owning a clean diesel Mercedes? Filling it up with AdBlue urea solution at an outrageous price of $32.20-per-gallon. Consumer Reports felt the pain after receiving this $294 bill for a top-off in their diesel Mercedes GL350. More »

Local Motors Taking Reservations For Rally Fighter

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:30:00 EDT

Remember when Local Motors asked for novice car designs? They've settled on the P-51-inspired, BMW turbodiesel-powered Rally Fighter. Reserve one for just $99 — and a large measure of faith. (H/T to Mike) [Boston Overdrive] More »

2009 Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC, Part Three

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST

The 2009 Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC is certainly a comfortable ride, but would you feel comfortable with one in your driveway? More »

2009 Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC, Part Two

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST

Yesterday, we found out what ze Germans thought about ze 2009 Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC. Today, we discover what a real American thinks about the diesel SUV. More »

2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC, Part One

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST

The Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC was nominated for the North American Truck Of The Year. Seriously? A truck it ain't, but to figure out what it is we consulted the Germans. More »

Volkswagen Bluesport Concept 42 MPG Roadster Officially Revealed

Matt Hardigree — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:20:00 EST

The VW Bluesport Roadster may only be a concept, but it's sure to pique the interest of drivers looking for top-down fun and diesel power on the same chassis. More »

2010 Jaguar XF S Diesel Better, Faster, Gets 35 MPG

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:30:00 EST

Our spoiled European brethern will soon be able to get the slinky Jaguar XF four-door coupe in diesel trim with 440 lb-ft of torque, quicker-than-V8 performance and 35 MPG US. More »

Lamborghini Estoque Could Get Diesel Engine Or Turbocharging

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST

The Lamborghini Estoque, the four-door bull from Sant'Agata, will likely see a range of engine choices heretofore unseen from the automaker. In an attempt to meet stricter emissions standards, Lamborghini is considering turbocharging and/or the use of a diesel engine for the sedan. This would be in addition to the 5.2-liter V10 borrowed from the Gallardo, which could put out more than 500 horsepower for the Estoque. But diesel, really? More »

Diesel Ford Fiesta Smokes Prius, Gets 62.5 MPG

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:20:00 EDT

Talk about having the right product in the wrong place. Ford will be debuting a version of the new as-of-now Euro-only Ford Fiesta Econetic at the British Motor Show later this month equipped with a miserly 89 HP, 1.6-liter TDCi turbodiesel engine. How miserly? It's good for 75 MPG in imperial gallons, which gives it a Prius-smoking 62.5 MPG here in the US of A. Something tells us Ford would have no problem selling a few of them here, considering the tectonic shift towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars we saw evidence of yesterday. No word on US availability of the Econetic when the Fiesta hits our shores as a 2010 model, but it's a fair wager Mulally and Co. are mulling it over. More »

The New Subaru EE20 Boxer Turbo Diesel, In Detail

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:40:00 EDT

We've known about the new Subaru diesel for some time now, but we haven't had a real good walkthrough of this first-to-market boxer turbodiesel. You know, the whole shebang — specs, dimensions, power, transmissions, tricks. It's high time we rectified that. Luckily, TechOn did a sit-down with the chief engineers of the program a little while ago and got the whole kit, caboodle and whatever else goes along with it. What we came away with — other than a severe case of information overload — is that this clever little 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four cylinder has some serious tricks up it bores.
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Diesel Truck Pulling Laughs in Face of Fuel Economy

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:15:00 EST

You know, getting 72 mpg in our nice 2007 Honda Civic diesel was fun and all, but somehow this appeals to us a lot more. There's at least one of us that grew up with this sport of kings as regular Friday night entertainment. Modified trucks with solid suspensions, fat tires, oversized injectors, bus turbos, eight or nine hundred pound feet of torque. Sometimes we wish there was a word for Tim Allen's little man bark, but there just isn't. There's nothing quite so American as hearing a turbo spool up in the distance and then that screaming Cummins shakes your chest as it passes by on its way to a full pull. We need a cold Pabst and a long mullet. More »

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST

While the 2007 Audi Q7 4.2 TDI admittedly lived at the higher end of the impossible-to-get-in- the-US diesel market, todays review subject is a far more attainable unattainable. The 2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi doesn't just have a power train we all lust after—it's a platform we don't see in the domestic market. We're going try to limit direct comparison against our domestic version and consider this car on its own merits. Those merits will have to stand up at the premium compact price-point, though, since if the U.S. market did get this car, it would certainly be planted firmly in that segment.
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2007 Audi Q7 4.2 TDI

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST

326 horsepower, 550 lb.ft. or torque, 0-62 mph in 6.4 seconds, top speed of 146 mph, acres of leather, panoramic sunroof, auto-manual six speed, multi-setting air suspension, power everything, parking assist... the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI practically bribes its occupants into loving it. It's hard to provide an objective review of a car which seems to do everything better than any other car in its class. Spending time with the Q7 oil burner, you get the distinct feeling we are getting the shaft with the gasoline versions. More »

Behold the Power of Diesel

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:15:00 EST

In the wake of the diesel tide that was the Detroit Auto Show, we decided to ~~hoodwink~~ talk our friends at Honeywell into providing us with some of the most forbidden fruits of the Euro-spec diesel world. As a result we've been living and commuting with the not-for-the-USA 2007 Honda Civic i-CTDi and the 2007 Audi Q7 4.2 TDI for the last week. Over the next three days we'll be laying out our reviews of these cars and of how they fit the driving habits of the average American consumer. We'll be reviewing them separately today and tomorrow, with something special planned for Friday so sit back and enjoy the oil burning ride. More »

Mercedes E 300 BLUETEC Turbodiesel Gets A BRABUS Boost

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:15:00 EST

Does your BLUETEC E-Class Benz not give you quite the power you were hoping for? Does 400 lb.-ft. of torque leave you cold inside? BRABUS, tuner of all things Mercedes, might have an answer to your uniquely affluent problems. A new upgrade from BRABUS boosts power by 47 horsepower and about 50 lb.-ft. of torque, to 258 and 450, respectively. Besides a lot of power for just over $2,500 (body kit extra), the new modification also meets EURO V emissions standards and is backed by a three year/62,000 mile warranty. The company also offers an E 320 BLUETEC kit for oil-burning yanks. Pics and press release below the jump. More »

2010 4.5L Duramax Diesel has Shockingly Brilliant Design

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:45:00 EST

It's not often a design comes along and truly thinks outside of the box. What would you say to a GM developed, 4.5L V8 turbo diesel putting down 310 horsepower and 520 lb.ft. of torque in the footprint of a small block 350? What if we told you that same engine has common rail injection, a variable geometry turbo, no intake manifolds, and the exhaust ports on the valley side? Crazy! Yes - crazy good. More »

Jeep Cherokee Diesel

bwojdyla — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST

We've been seeing the properly named and for Europe only (for now) Jeep Cherokee running around metro Detroit for a couple of months in various stages of undress. Yesterday the stars aligned and we chased this totally naked Bosch test mule up I75 to a Meijer parking lot, where, after a few glamour shots, our phone battery crapped out. Weak. In any case Jeep fans, prepare for the gnashing of teeth and the rending of flesh, because this was a six speed, turbodiesel rocking the D's highways and byways. That's just rubbing salt in the wound. Far be it for us lowly bloggers to question the wisdom of the newly reminted Chrysler, but it seems that the off roading community would plotz for an oil burning Cherokee with a six speed manual cog swapper, but what do we know. Check that gallery for some exciting chase shots. More »

Workhorse Engine of the Day: Mitsubishi Astron

Mike Bumbeck — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:30:00 EDT

From a distant galaxy of single overhead cam engines comes the Mitsubishi Astron series. The mighty Astron began life in 1972, and is still ticking away under the hoods of everything from Mitsubishi Starions to the panoply of Chrysler K-Car variants. In the beginning, the Flying Sikh himself pummeled an Astron equipped original Lancer to numerous rally victories. Patented silent shaft technology canceled out harmonics as the engine grew in displacement from 1.8 to 2.6 liters of four pot fury. The last production car to pack the Astron was either the the 1991 Pajero or the 1990 Starion, but only if not counting the diesel version of the Astron - which motored on with turbo until 1993 amid Galants. 21 years of Astron! In sourcing a new cylinder head sans jet valves for one of the two 2.6L G54B turbo variants of the Astron in our garage we learned that the 'ol G54B aspirated on propane with propane accessories serves in many forklifts to this day. The odd marriage of Mopar, Mitsubishi, and K-Car station wagons also led to some innovative badging - as seen in the bonus pic after the jump. [Mitsubishi Astron] More »

Frankfurt Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz Rekordwagen C111-IID

Mike Bumbeck — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 13:49:48 EDT

Wandering around what we seem to remember as the basement of the Frankfurt Auto Show revealed this Mercedes C111 Rekordwagen. The five-cylinder diesel propelled this C111-IID research vehicle to an average speed of 252 km/hr at the test track at Nardo, Italy. The crew set a total of 16 world records in the process. The first versions of the C111 test platform were powered by a wankel engine, which Mercedes engineers ultimately determined to be too inefficient by design. They opted instead for the precision of a turbodiesel. More »

Mini Cooper D Clubman

Ray Wert — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:45:00 EDT

The third in the trilogy of 2008 Cooper Clubman models, the Mini Cooper Clubman D is the oil-burner revealed at the Frankfurt Auto Show. This Clubman's got a four-cylinder, common-rail turbodiesel, with max torque equaling that of the Cooper S's 177 lb-ft, 110 hp at 4,000 rpm and a top speed of 120 mph. But the real story here's the fuel economy, which BMW says will be a sippy-cup-like 57 miles per the UK's larger Imperial gallons. All the hot shots are below. More »

Frankfurt Auto Show: Honda Accord Tourer Concept

Mike Bumbeck — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:10:11 EDT

Honda informs us the company will maintain a clear focus on innovation, environmental responsibility, safety, and building machines that are fun to drive. Along with the hydrogen fuel cell FCX, the company plans to push ahead with an i-dtec turbodiesel. The engine requires no urea system to meet emissions standards thanks to superior catalytic converter design. A European version of Accord in will pack the new diesel in 2008, with Japan and the US models being considered for the near future. Honda President and CEO Takeo Fukui then introduced the Accord Tourer Concept, told us the sedan version is coming to Geneva in 2008, and to have a good time at the show. Asimo was taking a break. More »

Frankfurt Auto Show: Volkswagen Caddy Maxi to Transport European Passengers, Luggage

Mike Bumbeck — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:00:00 EDT

The ketchup-obsessed Finns over at World Car Fans report the coming of a newer and slightly larger Volkswagen transporter. The Caddy Maxi lands in between the T5 and the standard Caddy, with choice of 1.9L and 2.0L diesel TDI or 100hp gasoline engine. The Caddy Maxi will house seven passengers, all their luggage, and comes complete with stoic yet personable doorman, as shown here. [Volkswagen Caddy Maxi via World Car Fans] More »

Huffing Diesel Fumes: Ford Earth Day Press Release Boldly Claims Diesel Emissions Leadership...From Behind

Ray Wert — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:30:00 EDT

FoMoCo made a real big show of their bold environmental moves this past weekend in a press release they titled "EARTH DAY 'TOP TEN' - A SAMPLE OF FORD'S 'GREEN' INITIATIVES." Obvs, we expect that type of trumpeting bold declaration, especially as it happens every Earth Day — and usually they're overblown as all get out. I mean what do you expect, a Greenpeace award for patching the hole in the ozone layer? Come on, these are automakers we're talking about. And we know this year's list's going to be more overblown than most when "Use of Sustainable Fabric" is at the top o' the heap. But the item that I'm most interested in is the claim

"Ford is leading the diesel revolution with the 2008 Super Duty, offering the segment's first clean diesel engine."

No doubt the addition of the word "revolution" is meant to be a slight jab at the 'merican revolution and their new-for-2007 line-up of heavy haulers, but they're claim of "leading" the segment may be a tad bit disingenuous considering they may have forgotten another automaker in the rush to make sure they're protecting the right flank from the General. What about the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid? The big Dodge heavy haulers appear to be (after quick calls to GM, FoMoCo and Dodge) the only manufacturer HD's able to meet not only the current 2007 emissions standards here in the US, but also the 2010 standards for their big diesel — the Cummins 6.7-liter turbo. Maybe FoMoCo thinks it's in the diesel emissions lead because they've been huffing Dodge tailpipe — because although they're correct in stating their first-to-market status on the clean diesel engines, I don't think that necessarily defines "leadership." Full press release below the jump. – Ray Wert More »