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BMW and Honda Slated to Bring Diesel to North American Markets by 2007

Volkswagen Currently Sells Forty Percent of Vehicles with Diesel Power in Canada

It only makes sense that automakers which already produce and sell fuel efficient diesel powertrains in other markets bring them to North America once higher quality diesel fuel is made available here; the latter slated for 2007.

Currently, north of the forty-ninth parallel, forty percent of new Volkswagens sold in Canada are diesel powered, labeled with the now revered TDI badge. While VW sells more diesel-powered cars in the U.S. than any other brand, the numbers of diesel vs. gasoline engines is nowhere near as high. But that may change in coming years. Overcoming commonly held stereotypes, The German automakers

Forty percent of new Volkswagens sold in Canada are diesel powered. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

flagship SUV, the Touareg, features a top-line 310-horsepower V10 turbodiesel with an awe inspiring 553 lb-ft of torque available at a low 2,000 rpm, making the sizeable SUV capable of better performance from zero to 60 mph than its V8-powered gasoline version.

The Touaregs V10, and other modern direct-injection, common-rail turbodiesel powerplants are changing North Americans perceptions

Mercedes-Benz is the automaker with the longest record of offering diesel engines in the North American market. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

about the engine type, with those adapting to the alternative fuel, for its lower emissions and improvements in fuel efficiency, also benefiting from enhanced performance and relatively quiet operation.

Volkswagen isnt the only purveyor of diesel-powered vehicles, with Mercedes-Benz being the automaker with the longest record of offering diesel engines in the North American market.

Preparing for the new cleaner

The smart fortwo is thrifty at 60 mpg in the city and 76 mpg on the highway. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

fuel coming shortly, DaimlerChryslers Jeep division began offering its new four-cylinder turbodiesel in its updated 2005 Liberty late last year, and with close to 300 lb-ft of torque on hand the compact 4x4 capable SUV has become a popular vehicle to purchase.

DaimlerChrysler, the same automaker that builds Jeep via its North American division Chrysler Group, also offers the smart fortwo in Canada, distributed in California by ZAP. It is powered by a rear-mounted diesel engine that is ultra-thrifty at 60 mpg in the city and 76 mpg on the highway.

Honda set 19 world records with its diesel powered Accord 2.2i-CDTi Sport. (Photo: American Honda)

Eyeing opportunity, BMW looks ready to return to the North American market with a revised line of turbocharged direct-injection diesels for 2007; the automaker previously offered a diesel-powered 5-Series dubbed 524td in the mid-80s.

Honda, which has never offered a diesel-powered vehicle in North America, but recently set 19 world records with its diesel-powered European Accord (see automotive news for May 28, 2004: Honda Sets 19 World Records with Accord 2.2i-CDTi Sport), feels it can do well in North America with its performance-oriented diesel lineup.

Time will only tell if diesel powerplants become

Currently, North American diesel fuel is extremely dirty, making it difficult for automakers to meet the stringent new standards. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

as popular in North America as they are in Europe, where the alternatively fuelled engines are fast becoming the majority sold. Even premium automakers such as BMW are selling nearly half of their vehicles with diesel power. BMW only has two vehicles within its European lineup that dont offer diesel engines.

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