Autoblog

Frankfurt Preview: Audi to intro clean A4 TDI, A3 TFSI, coming to America?

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

Audi A4 TDI - click above for a high-res image gallery

Audi will be launching at least three new models next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show, two of which seem like they have a good chance of coming to North America and one that doesn't. The A4 TDI clean diesel will make its debut at the German show with the latest edition of the firm's 3.0-liter diesel V6. While the TDI V6 has been available in the current generation A4 since it launched early last year, the new one adds the same 2,000 BAR common rail fuel system and urea injection found on the Q7 and VW Touareg now available in the U.S. market. The V6 TDI A4 has always seemed like a natural fit for the torque loving American market and it now seems likely to arrive, especially since the gas V6 was discontinued for 2010. In sedan form, it's rated at 34.6 mpg (U.S.) which is consistent with what we've seen driving the existing A4.

The A3 gets a new 1.2-liter TFSI (turbocharged and direct injected) gas engine with 105 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque. This little engine gets the A3 to 42.8 mpg (U.S.) although the 0-62 mph time is a more relaxed 11.1 seconds. This one could probably pass U.S. emissions with ease, but given Audi's premium position in the market, they are less likely to offer it here anytime soon.

Finally, Audi will also publicly show the new A5 Sportback which it has already said will not be offered in the States. The five-door hatch A5 will get the same 333 hp supercharged 3.0-liter V6 going into the new S4 to start, but it will also likely get the other engines available in the A4/A5 eventually.

Gallery: ABG First Drive: 2008 Audi A4 3.0 TDI Quattro

[Source: Audi]
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Audi to intro clean A4 TDI, A3 TFSI, coming to America?

Frankfurt Preview: Audi to intro clean A4 TDI, A3 TFSI, coming to America? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster live

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Volkswagen

Click above for a live gallery of the Volkswagen Concept BlueSport

Volkswagen's Concept BlueSport should go a long way towards making the term "diesel performance" a household name. While it might seem to be an oxymoron to some, seeing it at the Detroit Auto Show, we can tell you that if it reaches production, everyone will be a believer. While officially just a concept for now (and the interior is a dead giveaway this isn't production-ready), the two-door roadster sports a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four mounted amidships. It puts out 180 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and pushes just 2,600 pounds via a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Expect a 0-60 of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 140, all while returning about 35 mpg on the European cycle and upwards of 62 mpg in "Eco" mode.

The BlueSport might look a lot like an Audi TT with a Scirocco nose, but unlike its corporate sibling, the mid-engine layout provides a 45:55 front-to-rear weight distribution. It's also a tidy package at just over 13 feet in length, with a 96-inch wheelbase, a front track of 58.5 inches and a rear track of 60 inches. So it's about the same size as the TT, but in reverse. In person it seems much smaller than the Audi and reminds us of the Porsche Boxster more than anything, which isn't a bad thing. Stylist Walter da Silva explained his design inspiration in great detail for the assembled masses, unfortunately he did it in Italian, without subtitles, so we have no idea what he said. We did understand what Volkswagen Chairman Martin Winterkorn said, and that was that VW is officially committed to growth with cars that will continue to offer maximum excitement with minimum consumption, and the BlueSport is a perfect example of that philosophy. We say build it and bring it, ASAP. Hit the jump for all the details in the pres release.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

Gallery: Detroit Preview: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

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Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster live originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New diesels won't run when the urea tanks is dry

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:34:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for a high-res gallery of the MB GL320 BlueTEC

Owners of the new crop of clean diesels will have another maintenance item to concern themselves with if their new cars are equipped with urea injection. The EPA requires that all diesels meet strict new emissions standards, which almost always requires the use of either a NOx trap or urea injection. To ensure that the system is working, a sensor checks both the level and the quality of the urea solution and will keep the car from starting if the tank is empty. The new VW Jetta TDI doesn't use urea, but the new Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC vehicles do. According to Mercedes, a counter will appear on the dash when there are twenty starts remaining. If the driver ignores the message, the car will not operate until at least two gallons of urea solution is added to the tamper-proof tank that resides in the spare tire well.

Engineers have designed the urea tanks to be large enough to last about 15,000 miles. This should be large enough that drivers never run out, as the tanks will be checked at every schedules service. As an alternative, small bottles of the urea solution will be available for owners who want to maintain the system themselves. The cost of the urea solution, which MB refers to as AdBlue, will mirror the cost of diesel fuel, so a refill shouldn't cost more than $30 or so. Before anybody asks, yes - urea is a component of urine, and no - peeing in the tank will not fool the sensors. You've been warned.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz BlueTec SUVs

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

New diesels won't run when the urea tanks is dry originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW and its dealers butting heads over Jetta TDI?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Wagon, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen

We recently received a note from an anonymous source indicating that there's a mildly strained relationship between VW and some of its dealers. The source of the consternation seems to be the highly anticipated Jetta TDI, which was just recently released in the U.S. market. Apparently, Volkswagen of America has gotten complaints that some dealers are adding a significant markup on the new and desirable model -- a big problem for many automakers when a new model makes its initial introduction. The dealers are eager to make some money on the new cars while VW is concerned that customers may just look elsewhere because they feel they're being treated unfairly. What's more, some VW dealers may not be all that excited by the new model as there aren't that many available quite yet.

This is a situation that's frustrating for the dealers, VW and, most importantly, prospective customers. Volkswagen promises that the situation will improve, and we hope it does. If the clean diesel engine is truly capable of returning the kind of fuel mileage that VW says it can, the Jetta TDI sedan and Sportwagen may indeed offer an ideal alternative to gasoline-sipping hybrids, that is, if customers can put up with the buying process.

VW and its dealers butting heads over Jetta TDI? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan's diesel Maxima may be manual only

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Nissan, Rumormill

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Nissan Maxima

Sales of Nissan's first clean diesel in America could be severely hampered before the car even gets a chance at life. According to Nissan, the diesel engine slated to power the Maxima could come equipped with a manual transmission as its only option. We honestly can't imagine Nissan going through with this idea. Diesels already have a mildly bad reputation in the states due to some of the not-so-great oil-burning products our market has been cursed with in the past, and Americans have a profound penchant for choosing an automatic transmission over a manual. Therefore, endowing the Maxima diesel with a stick as the only option seems like a death knell in terms of sale, although it's probably the gearbox that we'd choose as enthusiasts. Considering how well Nissan has done with its CVT transmission, we wonder if the company could find a way to pair it with the Renault-derived diesel slated for the Maxima.

For what it's worth, the Japanese market has not been properly introduced to the diesel engine, either. Nissan's first product with a new clean diesel for its home turf will be the X-Trail SUV. The assorted powers-that-be at the company have already decided that a manual tranny shall be the only option on that model due to the M9R engine's inherent turbo-lag.

Gallery: 2009 Nissan Maxima

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Nissan's diesel Maxima may be manual only originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: Mitsubishi officially reveals the Concept-cX

Alex Nunez — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Budget, Europe, Green, Crossover, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

Click images for high-res gallery

Official photos of Mitsubishi's Frankfurt-bound Concept-cX squirted onto the web yesterday, and today,the automaker has provided full info on the car. Obviously telegraphing a Lancer-based 5-door hatchback/crossover, the Concept-cX is also a showcase for the clean diesel tech and other green innovations the automaker plans to make use of in upcoming production vehicles.

Rather than go the hybrid route, the Concept-cX is powered by a 1.8L Euro 5-compliant Clean Diesel 4-cylinder turbo. The engine selection was made because in Europe, where the eventual production vehicle will be sold, diesel is prevalent. Equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger, particulate filter, and diesel oxidation catalyst, the engine delivers 136 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via Mitsu's twin-clutch SST transmission, which we'll see on the production Evo.

More after the jump...

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Gallery: Mitsubishi Concept-cX

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Mitsubishi officially reveals the Concept-cX

Frankfurt Preview: Mitsubishi officially reveals the Concept-cX originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clean diesel heading to the JDM Nissan X-Trail

Alex Nunez — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Green, Japan, Nissan

Click image for gallery of the Nissan X-Trail

Nissan has announced that a clean diesel engine will be offered on its Japan-market X-Trail SUV. Based on the M9R engine co-developed with Renault (it's marketed as the 2.0dCi in the French automaker's vehicles), the Nissan version will use new catalysts and engine management developed in-house. No specifications on Nissan's version of the engine have been made public yet, but in Renault guise it's good for over 40 US mpg in the combined cycle. Nissan also issued a separate release that focused specifically on its development of a SULEV-standard clean diesel (more on that at AutoblogGreen). It's pasted in full after the jump in addition to the brief release about the diesel X-Trail. Along with bolstering its diesel offerings in Japan, Nissan is paving the way for diesel powerplants in the US, as well, with a clean-diesel Maxima slated for 2010.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: Nissan X-Trail

Continue reading Clean diesel heading to the JDM Nissan X-Trail

Clean diesel heading to the JDM Nissan X-Trail originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Concept-cX headed to Frankfurt

Alex Nunez — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:05:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Green, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Click image to enlarge

Mitsubishi has released the first sketch of its Frankfurt-bound concept crossover, the Concept -cX. It sports a look up front that's clearly evocative of the new Lancer, and its hatchback-style bodywork is set off by an upward-sweeping character line along its flank. The Euro 5 emissions-compliant crossover will be powered by a 1.8L clean diesel engine that features a variable-geometry turbocharger, a diesel oxidation catalyst, and a diesel particulate filter. The economical powerplant is mated to Mitsubishi's twin-clutch transmission, and its interior will make use of Mitsubishi's environmentally-friendly Green Plastic. The 13-foot-long CUV also uses an electronic 4WD system and incorporates an SUV-style high seating position. No cargo capacity numbers have been given yet, but Mitsubishi did say that a split tailgate is used at the rear of the vehicle. We're sure that more info on the Concept-cX will become available closer to the start of the Frankfurt show. Follow the jump for the manufacturer's press release.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading Mitsubishi Concept-cX headed to Frankfurt

Mitsubishi Concept-cX headed to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No new Honda Accord Hybrid, diesel will make its debut

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:24:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Green, Honda

We talked about this back in January and have been hearing about it as long ago as 2005, but Honda seems set to make it official. There will be no new Accord Hybrid in their lineup. Instead the North American market will get a diesel Accord to fight the mileage wars. Honda will still develop hybrids for the Civic and "another subcompacts currently under development" according to Nihon Keizai Shimbun, but don't expect a hybrid Accord. Midsize and larger vehicles will go the oil-burner route with Honda's new clean diesels that we expect to see in 2009.

The diesel in the Accord will likely be an ultra-clean four-cylinder rumored to be in the 2.2 - 2.4L range and capable of meeting California's strict Tier II / Bin 5 standards, which are the toughest diesel emissions standards in the world. While horsepower isn't likely to match the outgoing V6 hybrid, torque and fuel mileage should be more than a match. For those that still need a little more power, Honda is also working on a diesel V6 that will first appear in the Ridgeline and then find its way into Honda's vans and SUVs. While the Germans have been advancing the acceptance of diesels for years, a mainstream player like Honda will really push the technology to the forefront in North America.

[Source: Forbes]

No new Honda Accord Hybrid, diesel will make its debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan will sell diesel Maxima in U.S. by 2010

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:53:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Sedan, Nissan

Looks like the Germans won't be the only automakers bringing more diesels to the States over the next few years. CEO Carlos Ghosn said Nissan will dip into their European offerings and bring a clean diesel vehicle to the United States by 2010. The vehicle he was referring to is the Maxima, which has gradually become a near-luxury platform-mate of the Altima, much like the Avalon is to the Camry. Maybe this helps move it even closer towards the BMW, Mercedes and Audi offerings. Ghosn mentioned the clean diesel Maxima while addressing the Council on Foreign Relations. To go along with their first-ever clean diesel in the States, Ghosn said Nissan will also introduce other clean diesel vehicles in Japan and China. Europe already gets Nissans with this clean diesel technology. So, with Mitsubishi, Honda and now Nissan announcing they are developing diesels for the North American market, we can officially say that diesels are the new ~~black~~ hybrid. With low-sulfur diesel fuel now available and fuel prices continuing to stay at such high levels, diesels indeed seem to make a lot of sense for economy-minded individuals.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan will sell diesel Maxima in U.S. by 2010

Nissan will sell diesel Maxima in U.S. by 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda: high tech means low profits

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Honda

Michiyoshi Hagino, a Senior Managing Director at Honda Motor, sees profit margins inevitably falling as vehicles incorporate more and more advanced technologies to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy. More efficient gasoline engines, clean diesels and hybrid powertrains are all driving per-vehicle costs higher, while at the same time demanding massive, ongoing investment in research and development.

In a Reuters interview, Hagino predicts that automakers need to invest heavily in R&D today if they are to be competitive tomorrow, saying that automakers trying to preserve high margins today (by skimping on R&D) are risking decreased market share tomorrow. The breadth of the non-traditional development effort needed for tomorrow's powertrain products is demonstrated by Honda's ultracapacitor power unit (pictured), developed in-house for Honda's fuel cell vehicles.

High tech powertrains are also (at least today) more expensive to produce, with diesels and hybrids eating into profit margins even though they may command a higher sticker price. Even gasoline powered vehicles are seeing profit margins begin to drop overall, as small, cheap cars, like Honda's Fit, grow in popularity.

Automakers in the midst of costly restructuring efforts, or smaller companies without in-house resources, will be hard-pressed to mount massive powertrain development efforts. We're expecting a great deal more powertrain partnering to appear throughout the industry, and possibly an increased role for suppliers willing and able to make the investment in key powertrain subsystems, like the hybrid products announced last week by Bosch and Getrag.

[Source: Reuters]

Honda: high tech means low profits originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda ready to share, play well with others

Erin Mays — Wed, 24 May 2006 08:07:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Japan, Honda

Honda's putting it out there that it's ready to share its proprietary hybrid and diesel technology with other automakers, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported President Takeo Fukui as saying. The effort is evidently part of Honda's effort to stay ahead in the alternative drivetrain game, an effort that nicely complements recent news that it will launch a small, Prius-fighting hybrid and clean diesel engines in 2009.

Nice of them to be so generous, you think?

[Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun via Forbes]

Honda ready to share, play well with others originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 May 2006 08:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to make clean diesels

Erin Mays — Tue, 23 May 2006 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Honda

Automotive News reports that Honda is on its way to putting clean diesel on the market. We should see a four-banger coming our way by 2009, with a V6 to follow (Honda didn't mention when). Honda folks say that the engines will meet U.S. emissions standards -- and not just any standards... a standard known as Tier 2 bin 5. It might sound like a wine quality category (grand cru, anyone?), but what the designation really means is that Honda's planning on making the diesels meet some really stringent standards imposed upon diesel vehicles

Bruno from AutoblogGreen tells us that Honda is relatively new to diesels, its first diesel developed totally in-house being released only in 2003. Kenichi Nagahiro, the company's chief engine designer and inventor of the celebrated VTEC engine, reportedly disliked diesels because of their smell and the racket they made. When asked to design Honda's first diesel he did so on one condition - that he could design it completely from scratch.

[Source: Automotive News and AutoblogGreen]

Honda to make clean diesels originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 May 2006 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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