From autonews.com

WASHINGTON — A panel of outside experts advising federal regulators about available technologies for improving fuel economy will include light-duty diesel engines in its final report.

In an interim report made public today, the panel said developments in emission controls indicate that modern diesels will be able to comply with U.S. clean-air regulations.

The potential of diesel engines to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 30 to 40 percent over comparable gasoline engines justifies their inclusion on the list of available technologies, the interim report said.

I found this video on TDIClub.com and had to share it with everyone. Fifth Gear takes a bone stock AUTOMATIC diesel Golf and straps on a nitrous kit to see just how effective it can be. The results are pretty incredible.

• Powerful new 175 PS 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi performance diesel engine for Ford Mondeo, Ford S-MAX and Ford Galaxy
• Expressive new Titanium S series extends Mondeo and S-MAX customer choice
• New ‘techno’ style Galaxy Titanium model complements the classic Ghia series at the top of the range

Ford Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy customers now have even greater powertrain and series choices with the launch of a new high performance 2.2-litre diesel engine and sporty new versions of the popular ‘Titanium’ series.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. and TOPEKA, Kan., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Volkswagen of America and SCCA Pro Racing have announced the eight dates comprising the 2008 schedule of the new Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race series.

While Lutz may be the loudest voice at GM, he’s not the only voice. There may be small diesel hope from GM yet.

From autonews.com

DETROIT — To meet fuel economy regulations, Chevrolet is looking at ways to use diesels in cars. The brand also is considering a U.S. model smaller and cheaper than the Aveo.

“We’re going to have an opportunity to see a lot of things around the world that could very well work nicely in our portfolio here,” Ed Peper, Chevrolet’s general manager, told Automotive News at the Detroit auto show.

Last year at the Los Angeles auto show, Chevy said it would sell a minicar, the Beat, next year outside the United States and Canada. Chevy executives said they would watch how U.S. consumers receive Daimler AG’s Smart minicar to help determine whether to sell a minicar here.

In the meantime, Chevrolet, like Cadillac, is considering diesels. Peper pointed to GM’s European diesel technology that could be applied here. GM has a 2.9-liter turbocharged V-6 diesel that will be used in the Cadillac CTS in Europe. Also, GM’s European brand, Opel, has three diesel four-cylinder engines used in the Astra small cars: 1.3-liter, 1.7-liter and 1.9-liter diesels with 90 to 150 hp.

Says Peper: “We’re not going to rule out anything.”

5. The cost to turn a car into a Flex-Fuel or E-85 (85% Ethanol and 15% Gasoline) car is only about $200 for a manufacturer. E-85 is a bit more corrosive to some of the standard rubber and metal parts, but still the cheapest way to go “green”. The problem is ethanol contains slightly less energy than gasoline(whereas diesel has slightly more than gas) and so you need about 20%-30% more fuel running through your injectors for the vehicle to run on E-85 . If you try and run E-85 in a vehicle not designed to run E-85 you’ll see your Check Engine light come on in all its glory. Your car’s computer is telling you that the vehicle is running lean (meaning not enough fuel). I thought being “green” was all about being efficient? Ethanol is obviously not the most efficient way to go. Although I think biodiesel is up to the task.