VW says bye-bye to Bluetec
Looks like the Bluetec Alliance has lost another member. Green Car Congress was able to translate an article by German publication, "Wirtschaftswoche," which says Volkswagen will abandon Bluetec."Wirtschaftswoche" reports that VW feels the Bluetec name is too closely associated with Mercedes and wants to differentiate its clean diesel engines more. VW will therefore keep its TDI designation for the cleaner diesels.
With BMW dropping out of Bluetec in November and now VW, it's not entirely clear who, other than Mercedes, is left to use the badge. An Audi press release we reported on in July seems to indicate that company will follow VW and go TDI as well. But, as we said last month, Chrysler may continue to share the Bluetec name and technology with Mercedes.
[Source: Wirtschaftswoche via Green Car Congress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1337 10:03AM (8/06/2007)
It is smart of Volkswagen to keep the TDI badge, as it has been in use since 1989 (Audi 100 TDI). However, it would be wise for VW to have Bluetec on sales literature, since Mercedes' marketing is working to make "Bluetec" synonymous with "clean diesel engine."
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chuck goolsbee 10:04AM (8/06/2007)
So what can I buy from Chrysler with a Bluetec engine?
a. A Crossfire?
b. A 300?
c. A Sebring
d. Nothing?
If you check your local Chrysler dealer here in the USA you will note "d" is the corrcet answer.
Everyone keeps talking about "the Diesel boom" but all I see is one Benz E-class model and VW's TDI's. The same Diesel choices we've had for the past 20+ years here in America.
--chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org
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Jason 10:20AM (8/06/2007)
Chuck, the Bluetec is currently available in the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. That's the "Chrysler" part of the equation.
As far as the "diesel boom" goes, it's coming, just not hear yet. Jeep has had 2 diesel models available, with the first one being so popular they had trouble keeping up with demand (though overall sales were low in the grand scheme of things). And Honda is planning their diesel Accord, Ford will be debuting new diesels in the F150 and Expedition trucks, Dodge will be getting new diesels from Cummins for use in the Durango and 1/2-ton Ram.
The two main hurdles are the strict emissions regulations here in the US, and I think the general US market which is still pretty ignorant when it comes to modern diesel motors. To a great extent I think diesel cars still have a that loud, smoky, stinky stigma left over from 60's or whenever it was that Mercedes and GM tried their diesel cars over here.
Really? 10:25AM (8/06/2007)
Mercedes E, GL, M, and R are all available with a diesel engine. Twenty years ago, the GL, M, and R did not exist.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is available with a diesel.
The diesel boom that everyone is talking about is the diesels that will be coming in 2009/2010...BMW, Honda, etc. will be making diesels available.
Alan44 11:22AM (8/06/2007)
'To a great extent I think diesel cars still have a that loud, smoky, stinky stigma left over from 60's or whenever'
Ever drive next to a brand new Ford or Dodge truck diesel? They are still loud, smoky and stinky.
Jason 1:42PM (8/06/2007)
"Ever drive next to a brand new Ford, GM or Dodge truck diesel?" (fixed it for you, you forgot GM)
I drive a 2006 Ram Megacab 3500 (single rear wheel). ;) Yes, it's louder than competing gas trucks, but it's quieter than the Ford 6.0L Powerstroke, haha. The new diesel motors from the Big 3 are all considerably quieter than their preceding trucks.
Yes, it can blow some smoke if I get on the fuel pedal. But like the sound, the new diesel motors from Ford, GM, and Dodge have reduced particulate matter by an enormous amount.
Stinky? That's pretty subjective. I find the stench of cigarette smoke far more offensive than the smell of diesel exhaust personally. And besides, if I run it on biodiesel it smells like french fries or chinese take-out, haha.
The little TDIs and Bluetecs used in VWs and Jeeps are a far cry from the big diesel truck motors though. They don't put out any smoke and they're not loud at all. They days of old Mercedes cars with black bumpers are long gone.
nirad 11:34AM (8/06/2007)
I can understand using the TDI name instead of the Bluetec name, but isn't bluetec technology important for creating diesel engines that can pass 50 state emisisons?
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charles 3:30PM (8/06/2007)
"Ever drive next to a brand new Ford or Dodge truck diesel? They are still loud, smoky and stinky."
Ever drive next to a new high-tech diesel like the BMW 530d or 535d?
It makes 265 hp, 413 lb-ft of torque, and makes 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds. And its perfectly smooth and BMW-like. And it gets relatively good gas mileage.
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Alan44 3:38PM (8/06/2007)
Nope, don't believe I've ever seen a BMW diesel.
There is no doubt that diesels are much better than they used to be, but I was sitting at a traffic light last week in my little Mazda 3, next to a new Ford truck diesel and that thing was a very loud diesel at idle.
Justin 4:12PM (8/06/2007)
Personally when it comes to trucks, I'd rather have the loud truck-like deisels, it just wouldn't be the same without that big deisel truck sound in a big deisel truck.
But I do agree with having the quieter deisels in cars.
Keith M 4:56PM (8/06/2007)
GM, Ford and Chrysler trucks use old diesel technology, strong, slow and smoky. They are no comparison to a modern european diesel.
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MH 5:59PM (8/06/2007)
As far as I know the Bluetech-tehnology was co-developed mainly by Daimler and Volkswagen. These two company's have been the technology leaders when it comes to Diesel's for years.
The issue at hand here seems to be if VW want to actually use the "Bluetech" trademark on their cars or not. They're not dumping the technology.
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