Acura will introduce the new i-DTEC clean diesel engine to the North American market in 2009. The i-DTEC engine reduces noxious exhaust emissions while boosting power and fuel efficiency. A combination of optimized combustion chamber design and reduced injection time results in a clean, quiet engine that delivers excellent performance for an enjoyable driving experience. In addition, the i-DTEC engine meets the ultra-stringent U.S. EPA Tier II Bin 5 emission standards without the on-board storage of urea.
Some of the biggest import auto manufacturers are pushing diesel at the Detroit Auto Show, but not much came from the Americans. GM in particular seems to want to be the Sony of the car world, and push E85 while all the rest push diesel.
I have no problem with other ways to be green it’s really just Lutz’s seeming open hatred for diesel. His quote from the Frankfurt show, “We have the gravest of doubts that diesels are the solution. But we’re forging ahead anyway just in case they become easily fathomable or the cost of the hardware drops or with the fuel economy some of the extreme emissions regulations get lowered.”
I just want to know how all the other manufacturers can be profitable, but GM can’t. At least they and Ford will soon be offering smaller diesels in their trucks, but that’s little consolation for the average driver trying to save on fuel costs.
Anyway, below is an article from afp.com talking more about this, difference in opinion, in the industry. I think GM and Ford should take heed from Karl Brauer of edmunds.com when he says if Honda’s going diesel it’s time to pay attention.
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Honda will present the world debut of an exciting Accord Tourer Concept at the forthcoming 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. A press conference will be held on the Honda stand in Hall 5 on the first Press Day, 11 September, between 13.15 and 13.45. The Accord Tourer Concept gives an indication of the design direction for the next generation Accord – on sale in the UK from mid-2008.
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From dailytech.com
While many domestic and foreign automakers are looking to hybrid technology to improve fuel efficiency across their auto lines, Honda is looking towards the tried and true: diesel engines.
It was reported last month that the next generation Honda Accord would forgo its slow-selling and poor-performing Accord Hybrid with a diesel variant. The oil-burning Honda Accord will feature a 2.2 liter i-CTDi Tier 2 Bin 5 diesel engine along with an ammonia-filled catalytic converter to reduce NOx emissions.
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From autoindustry.co.uk
The Nikkei daily has reported that Honda is planning to roll out its diesel engines in its home market by 2009. If this happens, Honda will be only the second manufacturer to offer diesel saloon/estate cars in Japan, besides Mercedes-Benz, which has offered its E320 CDI there since August last year. Honda itself has confirmed only that the decision is under consideration. It has so far produced its current diesel range uniquely for EU markets’ consumption.
Nissan and Subaru are among other Japanese manufacturers less committed to petrol hybrids than Toyota, and the latter is launching its first ever diesel, the world’s first ever boxer diesel, towards the end of this year. They are both said to be keen to see diesels challenge the green credentials of petrol/electric powertrains in the Japanese market.
I’d say in the diesel vs. hybrid debate here is another winner for diesel. The only comparable small hybrid SUV really is the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid which is slower to 60 and only gets 34/30 mpg. This Honda CR-V Diesel gets 51.64mpg and 60mpg when cruising at a constant 62mph. Hopefully in a few years we’ll actually see one in the States too. From motoring.co.za.
Honda has introduced its first diesel to the South African automotive market.
The CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi has a 2204cc, 16-valve, four-cylinder turbodiesel for which Honda quotes 103kW at 4000rpm and 340Nm at 2000 which, it says, makes the new CR-V ideal for towing weekend toys down to your favourite playground.
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From Cnet.com
Feast your eyes on this, car technology and high-mileage nuts. It’s a Honda Accord that runs on diesel.
Honda expects to bring the clean-diesel car to the U.S. by 2010. It gets 62.8 miles a gallon on the highway, but otherwise looks and feels like a regular Accord. At that mileage level, the car is about as “clean” as a new Toyota Prius. But if you run it on biodiesel, a form of diesel made from vegetable oil or animal fat, it would be even cleaner than a Prius (Priuses get 60 in the city).
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