In an interview with Automotive News, Honda's CEO, Takeo Fukui said that the automaker's newly developed diesel technology will find its way into their light truck offerings of the future.The vehicles identified by Fukui as being the likely recipients of a V6 diesel are the Ridgeline pickup, Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan, with Acura's MDX also being a candidate for oil-burning power.
The V6 engine is currently under development and will likely debut sometime after Honda introduces their 2.2-liter diesel in 2009.
Another interesting tidbit from Fukui's interview with AN was his comment about the possibility of future Honda vehicles receiving turbocharged mills. He indicated that the introduction of the turbo'd Acura RDX did not mean that only the high-end automaker would benefit from the glories of forced induction. We'd like to see a factory-blown version of the Honda Remix come out by the end of the decade, but we're not going to start saving up yet.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew @ Dec 4th 2006 9:37AM
Dang Honda,
When are we gonna get a 6-cylinder Element?
rrr @ Dec 4th 2006 10:11AM
LOL, and the Detroitheads thought that they'll be able to get rid of this MPG debate by simply introducing diesel. Looks like Toyota and Honda are also in the game, the only difference is that they ALSO offer hybrids.
That One Person @ Dec 4th 2006 10:34AM
ummm...GM and Ford ALSO offer hybrids...
Avinash Machado @ Dec 4th 2006 10:41AM
Honda already sells Diesel engined CRV's and Accords in Europe. Perhaps they should sell these in the US too now since there is still a couple of years before the V6 Diesel is released. Not sure about whether they will meet US Emission laws though.
Phil L. @ Dec 4th 2006 10:43AM
I've been waiting an OEM to tackle the mainstream diesel minivan market. It's a combination that makes lots of sense.
C'mon DCX - How about a Bluetec Grand Caravan?
Takeo @ Dec 4th 2006 11:25AM
Yes I want a Diesel Accord! Actually they could bring over the diesel Euro Accord as a TSX and I'd probably buy it. I'd love to have a Honda Diesel Hybrid though.
hondacura @ Dec 4th 2006 11:31AM
I took a survey at the LA Auto show yesterday askign my opinions of what the REmix (CRX) hoursepower should be and what did think of the design & etc. Also it asked what did I think of Honda as a whole. Survey was about 15 pages long.
MikeW @ Dec 4th 2006 11:38AM
Isn't Honda working on an 8 speed automatic?
GT_Arun @ Dec 4th 2006 11:47AM
#4:
I believe the european cars will not meet emission standards here... not because the engines are dirtier, but b/c the diesel fuel available in Europe is cleaner. So running the same engine with the U.S.'s diesel fuel would yield emissions that exceed those permitted by law stateside.
Guenther @ Dec 4th 2006 12:44PM
Must...correct...
European diesels as a whole will not meet US standards, because of the very agressive regs that are coming into effect right now. These are simply stricter than the european regs. ULS Diesel is now becoming widely available and should be the fuel standard within 12 months (likely sooner). The latest and greatest of the european market technology is what's being adapted right now do meet the 2007 and 2010 US regs. Its close- very close.
Phil L. @ Dec 4th 2006 1:47PM
>> When are we gonna get a 6-cylinder Element?
Probably about the same time you see a 6-cylinder Civic.
Honda likely doesn't see the need to make the necessary modifications to this chassis to handle a 6 - and doesn't want to risk competition with their own higher-end products.
Yeah, the Element doesn't really compete in that manner. But the obvious beneficiary of a V6 Element would be a V6 CR-V, which could encroach on the Pilot's market.
Meanwhile, I'd like to see diesel-powered cars get more useful tow ratings in the US. Why do the Europeans get all the fun?
Hondafan @ Dec 4th 2006 1:55PM
Honda is working on a new diesel technology that eliminates nitrogen oxides before it leaves the engine and thus will conform with strict EPA rules in the United States. This technology is not in the European cars. Honda could bring diesels into the use but they wouldn't be able to be sold in all states, including California which is one of Honda's largest market.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000101&refer=japan&sid=a8g8MAJwxTGo
Daniel @ Dec 4th 2006 2:16PM
I have no doubt that some company will market a Full Plug-In BioDiesel Series Hybrid with all electirc drive and it will get better than 80 MPG.
And, I'm sure it will be a foreign company and the Big 2.5 will be caught with their pants down again and screw up this opportunity. It's pathetic. The Big 2.5 could find their behinds with both hands.
Za @ Dec 4th 2006 3:08PM
Daniel, I think you are wrong, simply judging by the fact that GM has already pledged a plug-in hybrid.
Pallinn @ Dec 7th 2006 8:22AM
Lol, these extra strict US diesel emission regulations always crack me up =)
If engine A (diesel) puts out 15% more pollution per gallon of fuel than engine B (petrol), but powers the car for a 20% longer time using that same gallon, engina A is better for the environment right? Or am I way off here?
In all fairness, with the nasty diesel fuel that's been available in the USA in the past, and old school diesel technology, the equation hasn't really looked like that... But is anyone really going to tell me that the E350 is better for the environment than the new E320 Bluetech? Those California regulators have been sneaking into the glaucoma medicine bag methinks.
Sgmickelson @ May 15th 2007 10:21AM
Diesel vehicles and diesel fuel ARE cleaner than gasoline. Diesels today are not the ones we all remember from 1979 during the oil crisis--which smelled of sulfur and were really gross. Today they are much cleaner burning and more efficient. Also, if you buy\own a diesel your mpg is 70+ miles per gallon (today we get at best 24-35mpg even on a hybrid) AND you can opt to purchase biofuel which can run in any diesel powered vehicle: school buses, cars, minivans, boats, farm equiment, construction equipment, even your own oil furnace that heats your home\business\school. The nice thing: it smells like popcorn or french fries! Biofuel companies (you can find them in your local area) use waste feed oil --think of all the frying mcdonalds and chinese restaurants do. That "old oil" can be chemically altered and mixed with a blend of diesel to run all our vehicles and heat our homes as a starting point. I mention it as a starting point b/c ALGAE itself, can and will be used to provide us with safe 100% biofuel in great supply without using all of our land resources that are meant for food production. Algae can be grown in waste water treatment plants and is being worked on at UNH--University of New Hampshire as I write this.