Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Quick Spin: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel delivers torque and efficiency with negligible compromise]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/quick-spin-2009-porsche-cayenne-diesel-delivers-torque-and-effi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/quick-spin-2009-porsche-cayenne-diesel-delivers-torque-and-effi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/quick-spin-2009-porsche-cayenne-diesel-delivers-torque-and-effi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Porsche Cayenne Diesel - Click above for high-res image gallery

Porsche sells no fewer than seven different Cayenne models in the U.S. All share the same unibody platform and permanent all-wheel drive system, but each is differentiated by its powerplant, brakes, suspension, and accessory list. Whether you are a blasé soccer mom or an exec hell-bent on embarrassing the dude in the sports car at the traffic light, if you're willing to write the check, Porsche has a Cayenne model with your name on it.

The selection is generous, but there is something missing from the mix. As of right now, all North American-bound models have an appetite for premium unleaded fuel. With the price of high-test wavering on the expensive side, Porsche has been diligently engineering hybrid and diesel-powered Cayenne models to significantly reduce pain at the pump.

While the automaker has announced the sale of Hybrid Cayenne next year, it's on the fence about offering the diesel model on this side of the Atlantic. Proudly showing off its latest wares, and teasing us with what we can't have, Porsche let us sample a Euro-spec Cayenne Diesel model... on our own turf.


Gallery: Quick Drive: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel


Continue reading Quick Spin: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel delivers torque and efficiency with negligible compromise

Quick Spin: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel delivers torque and efficiency with negligible compromise originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Porsche2009 Porsche Cayenne2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel2009Porsche2009PorscheCayenne2009PorscheCayenneDiesel2010 Porsche Cayenne Diesel2010PorscheCayenneDieselCayenne DieselCayenneDieselClean-burning DieselClean-burningDieselDieselDiesel powerDieselPowerfalsePorsche Cayenne DieselPorsche DieselPorscheCayenneDieselPorscheDieselureaurea bluetecurea injectionUreaBluetecUreaInjectionThu, 24 Sep 2009 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[New diesels won't run when the urea tanks is dry]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/20/new-diesels-wont-run-when-the-urea-tanks-is-dry/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/20/new-diesels-wont-run-when-the-urea-tanks-is-dry/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/20/new-diesels-wont-run-when-the-urea-tanks-is-dry/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adblueadblue injectionAdblueInjectionbluetecbluetec dieselbluetec-dieselBluetecDieselclean dieselCleanDieselureaurea bluetecurea injectionurea-injectionUreaBluetecUreaInjectionMon, 20 Oct 2008 16:34:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW has a plan for diesels in the U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/bmw-has-a-plan-for-diesels-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/bmw-has-a-plan-for-diesels-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/bmw-has-a-plan-for-diesels-in-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Matt Davis, the European Editor over at Winding Road, was able to get the low down on BMW's strategy to offer diesels here in the Land of the Brave.

During an event to give U.S. journos a taste of Bimmer's 335d Touring, equipped with a 3-liter bi-turbo diesel, the folks at Winding Road opined the fact that North American consumers would never be able to enjoy a BMW diesel stateside. That may all change when BMW announces their plans for diesels in the U.S., in addition to debuting the hydrogen-powered 7-series and new X5, at the L.A. Auto Show later this month. The soon-to-be-released oil burner in question is the 535d, which currently meets all manner of state and federal acronymed organizations, however, when 2009 rolls along and California enacts a 30-percent reduction in emissions, BMW will have to bust hump to make their diesels as clean as can be.

This move is due in no small part to their cross-town rival, Mercedes-Benz, beginning to offer the Bluetec line of diesels on U.S. soil and Audi's plans on introducing a new TDI engine at the Detroit Auto Show (sorry, NAIAS). However, just like MB, BMW will have to offer some form of urea injection, beyond what it currently employs.

[Source: Winding Road]

BMW has a plan for diesels in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Nov 2006 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>335daudibluetecbmwdieselmercedes benzMercedesBenztditurbo dieselTurboDieselureaWed, 08 Nov 2006 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Bluetec diesels to be used by (almost) all German automakers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/09/bluetec-diesels-to-be-used-by-all-german-automakers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/09/bluetec-diesels-to-be-used-by-all-german-automakers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/09/bluetec-diesels-to-be-used-by-all-german-automakers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,



The giants of Germany have come together and decided that the best way to develop the potential of diesel in the U.S. is total market dominance. Not with one vehicle, but with one engine.

Mercedes' Bluetec diesel came out swinging at the Detroit Auto Show, only to kneed in the groin by California emission regulations. What was thought to be one of the cleanest diesels available, turned out to be just a few oxides of nitrogen over the newly developed limits. To resolve the situation, Mercedes developed the urea injection system that pumps a small amount of ammonia-based acid into the exhaust stream, neutralizing many of the harmful emissions. The problem is, the urea bladder needs to be refilled periodically and unless there's a mandate set for all drivers to do so, the engines will run with no drama, but will pollute at a greater level.

Here's where strength in numbers comes to the fore. Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have joined forces and will begin equipping all their U.S.-slated diesel offerings with the Bluetec system. In doing so, they will set a standard for diesel offerings in the States, have a common, marketable brand and will have massive purchasing power over Bosch who creates most of the components necessary.

Audi and VW have already signed on to the deal, with BMW's CEO, Norbert Reithofer and our favorite mustached-marketer, Dr. Z of DaimlerChrysler, expected to work the details out this week. A formal announcement of the automaker's intentions will likely be made in two weeks time.

VW will debut a Bluetec-powered Tiguan at this year's L.A. Auto Show and we'll see other Bluetec offerings in the coming months, in the form of the BMW X5, Audi Q7, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Merc R-, M- and GL-classes.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Bluetec diesels to be used by (almost) all German automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Oct 2006 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Clean Diesel test vehicle

In conjunction with Honda's efforts towards bringing a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle to the States in 2008, plans are well underway to do the same thing for diesels that the automaker did for cleaner gasoline engines in the 70s.

Diesel-powered vehicles entering the U.S. have to meet stringent emission standards set by new legislation put into effect this year. Because of this hurdle, many manufacturers are looking towards using additives, like the urea-based injection system developed by DaimlerChrysler, to meet these standards.

Honda, on the other hand, is engineering a system that produces ammonia within the catalytic converter, changing harmful nitrogen oxide into just plain old nitrogen. The system is in the process of being tuned to accept a variety of diesel fuel, while still maintaining its low emissions, through chemical testing and programming through the federally mandated On Board Diagnostic System (OBD).

Honda plans on bringing the new diesel to the U.S. market within three years, soon after Volkswagen releases their own line of revamped diesels to consumers in 2008.

[Source: CNET]

Powered by (diesel) Honda originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselfuel-cellhondaobdon board diagnosticOnBoardDiagnosticureaMon, 25 Sep 2006 08:35:00 EST<![CDATA[GM grants first drive of its new diesel V8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/14/gm-grants-first-drive-of-its-new-diesel-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/14/gm-grants-first-drive-of-its-new-diesel-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/14/gm-grants-first-drive-of-its-new-diesel-v8/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

General Motors' recent (and vague) announcement of a new V8 diesel has led to significant speculation, especially with regard to power output and packaging size of the engine. As a preemptive strike against doubters, the company recently allowed Diesel Forecast to take a spin in a Buick Rainer equipped with the mystery oil-burner.

For starters, the "light duty" (intended for vehicles with a GVWR of under 8,600 lbs) will produce somewhere in the neighborhood of 330 HP and 520 lb-ft of torque. All that torque comes online around 1800 RPM and extends to 4500 RPM. We feel that these numbers should keep the average driver quite happy (diesel power junkies will just have to wait until aftermarket PCM tuners become available). For this we can credit the wonders of variable-geometry turbocharging, although at this point GM is not saying how many hairdryers they are using (two would be our guess, given the direction in which others are moving).

We were skeptical that a DOHC turbocharged V8 would fit into the same space as GM's ultra-compact pushrod gasoline V8s, but this does indeed appear to be the case (see the above outline drawing from GM, where its outline is shown against the GenIV L92). The fact that it fits under the hood of a GMT360 - a surprisingly tight environment, given the vehicle's external dimensions - speaks to the compact packaging of this engine, and means that we could see it popping up in just about any RWD product from the General.

On the emissions front, GM sees the engine utilizing urea injection with selective catalyst reduction to meet the EPA's 2010 Bin 5 regulations.

[Source: Diesel Forecast]

GM grants first drive of its new diesel V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cumminsdieselduramaxemissionsforecastgeneral motorsGenIVgmgreenL92powerstrokescrturboturbochargedureaThu, 14 Sep 2006 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[BLUETEC diesel fails to meet 50-state emissions requirement]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/bluetec-diesel-fails-to-meet-50-state-emissions-requirement/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/bluetec-diesel-fails-to-meet-50-state-emissions-requirement/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/bluetec-diesel-fails-to-meet-50-state-emissions-requirement/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Despite telling us back in January that its Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC would be compliant with emissions standards in all 50 states, DaimlerChrysler has announced that it has not reached that goal and the vehicle will only be sold in 45 states when it goes on sale this fall. The five states in which the E320 BLUETEC will not be sold include California, Maine, Massachussets, New York and Vermont. The high emissions standards required by these five states represent a major hurdle for any manufacturer that plans to introduce diesels-powered light-duty vehicles in the U.S. If DaimlerChrysler, a vocal proponent of diesel in the U.S., couldn't meet their requirements, we're certain it will be at least a year or two for other automakers to either convert their current diesel engines or develop all-new ones to meet the stiff requirements.

An E320 BLUTEC prototype tested by the EPA in 2004 narrowly missed meeting the EPA's new Tier 2 Bin 5 standard for 50-state compliance. When the car does arrive it will use an NOx absorber to reduce the output of the harmful emissions. Future BLUETEC models will use a urea-based injection system, which the EPA has yet to approve and regulate but promises to do so soon. Urea-based injection technology appears to be the best solution for getting diesels on U.S. soil as fast as possible, but the EPA has concerns over adding another fluid to vehicles that needs to be actively checked and refilled by the driver.

[Source: Green Car Congress]

BLUETEC diesel fails to meet 50-state emissions requirement originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>45-state50-stateBLUETECCaliforniadieselE320emissionsEPAlawrequirementsstandardsureaTue, 29 Aug 2006 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[EPA mulls over urea-injection rules]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/epa-mulls-over-urea-injection-rules/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/epa-mulls-over-urea-injection-rules/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/epa-mulls-over-urea-injection-rules/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Environmental Protection Agency is considering a variety of rules that it might apply to urea injection for diesel engines, and is said to ready to issue rules for such emission-control devices in upcoming weeks. The regulations are expected to address potential issues arising with urea injection, such as the availability of the substance, making sure that the system and its low-fluid-level warning system are tamperproof, and dealing with urea's freezing point of 11F. One of the largest areas of contention between the EPA and automakers involves a proposed interlock between the urea level-monitoring system and the engine that would perhaps disable the starter or lock the vehicle's fuel cap if urea levels drop too low to ensure proper function.

Starting in 2010, all diesel vehicles sold in the US must meet or exceed "Bin 5" classification of the Tier II clean air standards, which would effectively make oilburners as clean as gasoline engines. Urea injection helps reduce the level of oxides of nitrogen when injected into the tailpipe, and does so at a cost perhaps 10% lower than the competing NOx trap technology. Bosch sees the combination of urea and selective catalyst reduction as the path toward diesel cleanliness, and GM has shown off the technology on a diesel light-truck prototype. VW's emission certification problems with the diesel Touareg last year elevated the profile of urea injection - and the problems surrounding it - here in the United States, and prompted the EPA to start moving.

[Source: Autoweek/Automotive News]

EPA mulls over urea-injection rules originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>catalystCumminsdieselDuramaxemissionsenvironmental protection agencyEPAPowerstrokescrtailpipeTDIureaTue, 29 Aug 2006 10:58:00 EST