http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/press-releases/clean-diesel-cars-and-suvs-compete-for-green-mantle-at-la-auto-show


Los Angeles, CA (December 2, 2009) – In the midst of one of the greenest LA Auto Shows in recent years, clean diesel vehicle technology is putting up stiff competition for the leadership mantle in vehicle fuel economy and environmental performance.

Volkswagen today unveiled a 70-mpg concept vehicle called the “Up! Lite,” powered by a two-cylinder clean diesel engine paired with an electric motor. Executives from VW announced they expect the Up! Lite will lead to further diesel technology offerings in the 2011 model year and beyond. Company executives also said the TDI lineup is steadily gaining popularity in the U.S., with sales of 50,000 TDI models since they were introduced in the 2009 model year.

Meanwhile, two clean diesels are in the running for the 2010 Green Car of the Year Award, sponsored by Green Car Journal, at the show. The 2010 Audi A3 TDI and the VW Golf TDI are competing against three hybrid electric models for the honor. The 2009 Green Car of the Year was another clean diesel model, the VW Jetta TDI.

Among the clean diesel vehicles featured at the 2009 LA Auto Show are the 2010 Audi A3 TDI and Q7 TDI. The Q7 TDI just awarded the Earth, Wind & Power Award during the show as the “most environmentally progressive truck of the year.”

BMW also highlighted its 335d and X5 xDrive35d and the Vision EfficientDynamics concept diesel hybrid car, which features a three-cylinder diesel engine combined with an electric motor that delivers 62.5 mpg.

In its display, Mercedes-Benz shows its trio of clean diesel SUV/crossover models – the GL, ML and R BlueTECs.

“Clean diesel technology continues to prove its competitiveness in real world fuel economy, environmental and on-road performance,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, an industry educational trade group based in Washington, DC, with offices in Sacramento.

“These news developments at the LA Auto Show illustrate why it is so important to attack automotive fuel economy and environmental challenges with a multi-pronged technology approach,” Schaeffer said.

“For example, pairing a clean diesel engine with an electric motor provides hybrid vehicles even better fuel economy than they already get with a gasoline engine. There aren’t many limits on where diesel technology can take us in terms of squeezing as much mileage from a drop of fuel as possible while maintaining the safety, comfort and on-road performance cars drivers demand,” Schaeffer said.

As for the price difference between gasoline and diesel fuel, Schaeffer said the diesel option remains less expensive due to the diesel engine’s higher efficiency. “Even at higher costs per gallon, diesel provides a significant cost savings if you do the math,” he said.

To make his point, Schaeffer pointed to a cost calculator on the front page of the DTF website that helps convert the cost savings into concrete terms.

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology, and working with policymakers and other stakeholders on common solutions. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems.





Tom

I'll believe a 70mpg diesel hybird when I see it for sale on the lot. At best we are still probably 5 years away from having one here.

__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

I'd believe those numbers. If you drive carefully enough you can get 60-70 mpg out of an old 4 cylinder TDI (43 mph, no stops, etc). On the 96 & 97 Passat wagons that gives you a 1500 mile per tank range

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

I meant believe it when it is available to us, not theoretically possible. I guess I wasn't clear.

__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Ah. Well then I agree with you 100%. VWoA is one of the best vaporware companies I know of

-Jason

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

We will still trade a LOT of CO2 for a little NOx in this country... It will remain our undoing when it comes to diesels.

Doubt we will see "change".

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)