Diesel Auto Blog

You Didn’t Expect a Diesel from Porsche

solyarka — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:00:20 +0000

2011 Porsche Panamera Diesel

Did you? The world changes pretty quickly. A few years ago driving a diesel was supposed to be uncool. Today, more and more luxury car manufacturers are offering a diesel version of their expensive cars.

Now it’s Porsche’s turn. A Panamera Diesel will soon be available with a range exceeding 1,200 kilometres on a filled 80-litre tank. It is as economical as any modern-day family car consuming just 6.3 litres on 100 km and emitting 172 g/km of CO2, which is definitely lowest among large luxury cars. It’s not unusual for a posh car to emit 300 to 500 g/km or CO2, so Porsche’s achievement is quite impressive.

Don’t expect this diesel Porsche be slow. It’s nowhere near slow – with top speed of 242 km/h and acceleration to 100 in just 6.8 seconds, you’ll soon forget that you’re actually driving a diesel.

No matter what the green activists tell you, diesels are greener, they need less fuel and emit less CO2. They do produce more solid particles than petrol cars but then there are a wide range of industries producing solid particles, so if you live in a city, just et on with it, there’s no escaping those particles.

With more and more luxury car manufacturers switching to diesel, who will be the next? Will we ever see a diesel Lamborghini?

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class priced at $49,865

solyarka — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:22:25 +0000

Mercedes-Benz recently released the updated version on the 2012 M-Class vehicles, the good news is the luxurious SUV that are made in U.S. has a lot to offer but the price remains the same as the 2011 M-Class version.

The 2012 M-Class are offered in two versions, the gas powered ML 30 with a price of $49,865 and the diesel version Blue Tec ML 350 with a price of $51,365. Both versions have undergone new facelifts, a new set of LED daytime running lights and infringed chrome “skid plate”.

Not only that, MB sees to it that underneath the 2012 M-Class have also undergone makeover, both are offered in 4Matic all–wheel-drive. The ML 350 has a new 3.5 liter direct injection V6 engine which gives 273 pound-feet torque and 302 horses paring with the seven-speed automatic transmission. The diesel powered ML 350 Blue Tec has a turbocharged 3.0 liter V6 diesel engine with produced 240 horsepower and a remarkable and efficient 455 pound-feet torque.
The interior of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is as impressive as ever in the new upscale interior. The rear seats provide more room and the front headrest has an impressive iPad docking stations. The dashboard will be seen with the new leather like covering as well as various trimmings.

Audi Q7 V12 TDi Quattro

solyarka — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Audi Q7 V12 TDi Started as a concept, now it will become a production model in Europe for 2009. This Q7 is equipped with a Impressive V12 Diesel that produces 500 horsepower and 757lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful diesel suv available. The body of the Q7 has been modified to create a more aggressive look, to reflect the big 6.0L V12 Twin-Turbo Diesel under the hood. The six-speed tiptronic has been reworked to handle the additional power from the V12. Top speed will be electronically limited to 155 mph. 0-62mph acceleration in 5.5 seconds. 20.8 miles per gallon average. Audi has not announced if the if the will be available in the United States.

Nissan Launches X-Trail 20GT Diesel in Japan

solyarka — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Last Thursday (September 4 2008) Nissan has added a Diesel to its line up in Japan. Its been six years since a Japanese company has built a diesel car to sell in Japan. The X-Trail is a compact cross-over SUV, it uses the same platform as the Nissan Rogue. The Diesel engine (M9R, Launched in 2005), Co-developed by Renault and Nissan, is one of the most efficient diesels in itLast Thursday (September 4 2008) Nissan has added a Diesel to its line up in Japan. Its been six years since a Japanese company has built a diesel car to sell in Japan. The X-Trail is a compact cross-over SUV, it uses the same platform as the Nissan Rogue. The Diesel engine (M9R, Launched in 2005), Co-developed by Renault and Nissan, is one of the most efficient diesels in it’s displacement range (2.0L). It’s Designed to be quiet and clean. Japan will be raising the bar for its emissions standards for automobiles in October 2008. These changes will make Japan home to the strictest emissions in the world, and this engine is already compliant with the new standards. Japan is also home to people who don’t like diesel powered cars very much. Diesel Stereotypes are to blame for the poor public opinion about diesel cars. Nissan wants to change the misconceptions about diesels, and I believe they can do it. This 2.0L diesel gets 30% better fuel efficacy then the 2.5L gas engine its replacing. They picked a perfect engine to persuade the car buying public in japan. So now if your find yourself in Japan, you have two diesel cars to choose from. This new Nissan X-Trail 20GT or The Mercedes-Benz 320 CDi. Yeah, that’s it, just two diesel cars in Japan for now. If this X-Trail diesel sells well, Nissan already has plans of making other models available with diesels.

2009 BMW X5 xDrive 35d

solyarka — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The first wave of new BMW diesel vehicles are on the way to the United States in 2009. Among them is the BMW X5 xDrive 35d. For 2009 we are seeing lots of new diesel cars, trucks, and suvs poised to take the American automotive market by storm. The BMW X5 xDrive 35d is powered by a 3.0L Inline six cylinder. This Twin Turbo diesel produces 265 horsepower and 425lb-ft of torque. It completes 0-62 mph in just 7.2 seconds. fuel consumption is 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. It will be a strong competitor to the Audi Q7 TDi diesel and the Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDi. All of these diesel suvs will be 50 state legal in 2009. BMW is raising prices for 2009 on all of it’s models by a average of 2.1 percent to cover the weak U.S. Dollar and increasing cost of raw materials. If this diesel X5 is a hot seller we could see more diesels from BMW in the future like the smaller BMW X3 suv.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD

solyarka — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Jeep is creeping up into the premium SUV market with the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD. The exterior design is great, I see it as a style couples could agree on, not too masculine not too feminine right in the middle ground. Now not only is the exterior design good, Jeep went to their partners, Mercedes-Benz in 2007 to get the 3.0L V6 diesel. Now this is the same diesel engine that Mercedes puts in their own SUVs. In the Jeep this engine produces 215 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. You can also tow up to 7,400lbs. Reviewers love it’s on and off road characteristics, but thought the ground clearance was a little too low in certain off road situations. EPA ratings are 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway, but in the real world these numbers would increase. Dieselpowermag reported averaging 16mpg off road. Prices start at $38,475 for 4×2 models, and $41,715 for 4×4 models.

2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDi

solyarka — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:41:07 +0000

The 2008 Mercedes Benz ML320 CDi is a solid competitor to the BMW X5 and Lexus RX 350. This Second generation ML is very capable on road and off. The new platform uses is a Uni-body type, Improving the over all ride and performance. The diesel engine used is the familiar 3.0L Mercedes-Benz diesel. This engine comes in a wide variety of cars from Mercedes, it’s also in the European Chrysler 300C CRD, and the U.S. Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel. This engine produces 215 horsepower at 3800 rpm and 398lb-ft of torque at 1400-2800 rpm. You also get the 7 speed automatic. This ML320 CDi also has a towing capacity of 7200 lbs. Even with a curb weight of 4,817 lbs. the ML can accelerate from 0-60 in 8 seconds. EPA Fuel Economy is 18/24 These new diesels have very impressive statistics. Base Price for the 2008 ML320 CDi is $44,650. Since the second generation ML (W164) was launched in 2006, we should see it produced at least for another 4 years. A face lift has been announced for 2009.

2009 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra

solyarka — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:41:06 +0000

GM isn’t making a lot of changes to the full size pick-ups next year. One change is the new 4.5L Duramax being put in the Silverado/Sierra 1500. Which is going to be very cool, and should sell very well. This might not come out until later in 2009 and it might be considered a 2010. Test mules of a 1500 Diesel have already been spotted driving around so I think they are closer to the launch then many people think. By the way this 4.5L Duramax is producing around 310 horsepower and 520lb-ft of torque.

The six-speed automatic transmissions (6L80) will be a option for the 5.3L, 6.0L, and 6.2L V-8 engines. GM says extra gears means better MPG, Lower RPMs when on highway and around town means better fuel efficiency. That’s a plus, but I think the six speed should be a standard feature. Interesting fact about this Auto trans, is that it’s the same one used in the Corvette. The 2500 and 3500 Silverado/Sierra, are mostly unchanged for 2009 most of the additions are small. You still have the Monster 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel under the hood, producing 365 Horsepower. 660lb-ft of torque. Also the same six speed Allison automatic and ZF six-speed manual transmission.

So at the end of the day, The GMT 900 and GMT 910 Platforms are still pretty new, they just came out in 2007, we probably won’t see a all new Silverado/Sierra until around 2012.

Infiniti heading for Europe with Diesels

solyarka — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:41:06 +0000

Infiniti is planing to start selling cars in Europe in 2010. The Premium brand of Nissan is working on launching Infiniti in Europe with a proper European line up. Changes are being made too, Including diesel engines, and smaller, more efficient petrol engines. Four models will be offered at the launch, two of them being the FX crossover, and the EX SUV/crossover. The other two are the G37 sedan and coupe. The diesel engine being used is the V6 that is being co-developed with Renault, this engine is also being used in the Nissan Maxima Diesel expect the engine to produce around 250 horsepower. I talked about this engine a little bit in the 2010 Nissan Maxima Diesel Article. Infiniti is going up against some major competition in Europe. They also have to build up a dealership network. We could see the diesel Infinitis in the states too, I’ll keep you up to date if any news comes out of a launch date.

Video from Geneva Motor Show Infiniti stand.

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDi Diesel

solyarka — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:41:07 +0000

The Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDi has been sold in the U.S. for a few years now. It uses the same Diesel V6 that is found in ML Class SUV and the R Class cross-over. It also uses the 7 Speed automatic. The V6 CDi in the GL320 Produces 215 horsepower and 398lb-ft of torque. The GL320 Gets a estimated 18 MPG city and 24 MPG on the Highway, this is decent if you consider the 5313lb curb weight, and full time four wheel drive. This GL also comes with everything you would expect from a Mercedes-Benz, it comes with a lot of nice features in its slandered form. It also has several upgrade packages to choose from. The 2008 GL 320 CDi starts at $54,275