Clean Diesel Cars Coming to US This Fall: 2008-2010 Timeline

[CentralFloridaTDIguy]

http://gas2.org/2008/05/21/clean-die...2010-timeline/

New diesels will get better mileage and have cleaner emissions than your average car. Pictured above: 2009 Jetta SportWagen 2L TDI Clean Diesel.

Later this year (see the timeline below), we will finally begin to see an influx of new model diesels in the United States. While diesels make up 50% of the market share of vehicles in Europe, they’re still trying to shrug off the stigma of being dirty, noisy beasts here in the US. So what changed?
What are “clean” diesels?

In 2006, the EPA required the introduction of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), which removed a major polluting component of diesel fuel. Since sulfur would damage advanced emissions control systems, ULSD paved the way for better emissions control technology.
As early as August, we will start to see a new era of diesels that employ new technology to meet the strictest emissions standards in the world—BIN5/LEV II—which are enforced by 5 US states: California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Vermont. BIN5/LEV II standards severely cap nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions (0.05 g/mile), one of the two tailpipe pollutants that have given diesels a bad rap (that and particulate matter).
Newer filters in these emissions systems trap particulate matter, while each model uses its own method to process NOx. Several models, including those from BMW, Mercedes, and Audi, will require the maintenance of a six- to eight-gallon tank of urea. The ammonia-rich solution (for example: Mercedes BlueTEC) is injected into exhaust to neutralize smog-forming nitrogen oxides. Since the urea tanks only require replenishing every 12,000 miles or so, inconvenience seems minimal, and some models, like Honda and VW diesels, meet emissions requirements without them.
While you might expect most of these diesels to get exceptional mileage, some of them do surprisingly poor. For example, the Mercedes and Audi models only get around 18/25 MPG (making this a good reason to continue to avoid SUVs). I know that the new emissions technology is supposed to negatively affect mileage, but 25 MPG is unimpressive, considering that VW’s Jetta BlueTDI got a road tested 60 MPG.
While the high price of diesel fuel is eating into some of the economic advantage of buying a new diesel vehicle, the difference is offset by mileage gains of 25 to 40% over comparable gas models. You might not see too much difference in sticker prices, either. Some models could cost $1,500 to $3,500 more for this new emissions control technology, but VW says its Jetta SportWagens could cost $2,000 less. Also be on the lookout for Federal tax credits that could be as large as $3,400 per vehicle.
When can we expect to see clean diesels in the US? Here’s the timeline:

1. Volkswagen

• When: August 2008
• Models: 2009 Jetta BlueTDI sedans and SportWagens
• Engine: 2-liter turbodiesel in-line 4
• Est. Mileage: 29/40 m.p.g. Sedan road tested at 60 MPG.
• Est. Base Price: $22,000 to $25,000

2. Mercedes

• When: November 2008
• Models: Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec, other GL-, ML- and R-Class sport crossover utilities (and someday: Vision GLK BlueTec diesel hybrid).
• Engine: 3-liter turbodiesel V-6
• EPA Mileage: 18/24 m.p.g.
• Est. Base Price: $46,000

3. BMW

• When: Fall 2008
• Models: 335d sedan and X5 35d sport wagon
• Engine: variable twin-turbo 6-cylinder
• Est. Mileage: ?
• Est. Base Price: ?

4. Audi

• When: January 2009
• Models: Q7 3.0 TDI utility wagon
• Engine: 3-liter turbodiesel V-6
• Est. Mileage: 18/25 m.p.g.
• Est. Base Price: $53,000

5. Honda (yes it’s true)

• When: 2009
• Models: Acura TSX sedan, other models could follow
  
• Engine: 2.2-liter i-DTEC
• Est. Mileage: 34/53 MPG
• Est. Base Price: ?

6. Jeep

• When: 2009
• Models: Jeep Grand Cherokee
  

7. General Motors/Ford/Dodge

• When: 2009 or 2010
• Models: Light-duty pickup trucks

8. Nissan

• When: 2010
• Models: Maxima sedan

9. Subaru

• When: 2010
• Models: Legacy sedan or Outback wagon
• Engine: 2-liter turbodiesel flat 4
• Est. Mileage: 33/47 m.p.g. (Outback)
• Est. Base Price: $28,000 (Outback)
  

[TDIMeister]

The estimated mileage of the yet unreleased models appear to be based upon fuel consumption figures of European models converted to U.S. units. To say the least, they're range from mildly- to wildly optimistic -- especially the Honda and Subaru examples. There are just so many variables that make European mileage figures different from U.S. ones: different driving cycle, different emissions equipment (European models do not need NOx catalyst aftertreatment to meet Euro-4 emissions regulations that would be required to meet U.S. Tier 2 Bin-5. Given similar size, weight, power and engine displacement, the fuel consumption of both the Honda and Subaru should be comparable should be comparable to that of the released `09 Jetta TDI. To attach numbers for proof, the Euro-spec Jetta TDI with the 140 HP common-rail engine and manual transmission returns the following fuel consumption figures: 7.1 L/100km city 4.5L/100km highway and 5.5L/100km combined, respectively. The numbers for the Honda Accord 2.2 i-DTEC: 7.3/4.6/5.6 and Subaru: 7.0/4.8/5.6. These numbers can be considered very close, and I would also expect the U.S. variants to also follow the `09 Jetta TDI's numbers.

[Trooper81]

Volkswagen Toureg is missing in here as the V6 Clean TDI is comming soon, and possibly the Tiguan in the next two years. Oh, and lets not forget the Audi A4 which is comming very soon as well.

[buckeye96]

What numbers are optimistic? The subaru numbers are below what the car is getting in the UK (even with the imperial gallon conversion). The audi and Benz seem low and the honda hwy mileage is the only one that seems high.

In fact looking at the Subaru numbers and converting them they match up almost exactly.

[TDIMeister]

What I'm saying is that you CANNOT simply look up the numbers and convert them. But what I'm also saying is that the Subaru gets almost identical fuel consumption compared to a Jetta CR-TDI 140HP in the European cycle in European emissions spec, so I'd expect it to get almost identical fuel consumption in the U.S. cycle in Tier-2 Bin-5 spec. as the U.S. Jetta. So, 33/47 is optimistic compared to 29/40. I don't really care about the figure outside of official EPA numbers because results can be any distribution better or worse.

[atc98002]

Originally Posted by Trooper81

Volkswagen Toureg is missing in here as the V6 Clean TDI is comming soon, and possibly the Tiguan in the next two years. Oh, and lets not forget the Audi A4 which is comming very soon as well.

It's also missing the Mercedes E320 BlueTec, which is already available.

I want the A4, but the T-reg or Tig may fit the bill, too.

[kcfoxie]

So is it an Accord or an Acura? It seems like no one really knows. The last article that I read said it was a Euro Acrua TSX that was going to be badged as a Honda Accord, and the photo of the test vehicle in NYC had a Honda logo.

It's kind of important, as my parents are more keep to purchase a new Honda/Acura product over a VW product due to perceived reliability.

update: called an Acura dealer and they said there will be a diesel TSX in 2009 but no pricing or availability has been released on it yet. But it is coming. The current year models are $29k to $32k in price... that's um, a lot more than a VW. If the Honda's aren't in the same range as the VW, my parents would be better off with the VW IMHO.

Called the Honda dealer. Boy, do these guys know their facts and are polite (can't say that about Leith or Southern States VW).... they said Honda decided to sell it with the Acura brand first to see how well it does. They said they do not anticipate an Accord with the same engine until the 2010-2011 time frame, but he said you never know. They might put it in the late 2009 lineup.

[Bayou_Flyer]

It's a JDM/Euro Honda Accord, but we know this car as the Acura TSX.

Check out the UK Honda site (notice the tourer/wagon).
http://www.honda.co.uk/car/accord/saloon/

If the US gets a diesel Accord, it will be the US-spec car in addition to the TSX.

[impetus19]

I am really not sure how many people will be in the market for a $30,000 diesel. IMO VW is the only on that got it somewhat right with the <$25,000 offerings..

And no way the Subaru will get the Jetta fuel efficiency with AWD... Unless something i am missing.

[kcfoxie]

Originally Posted by Bayou_Flyer

It's a JDM/Euro Honda Accord, but we know this car as the Acura TSX.

Check out the UK Honda site (notice the tourer/wagon).
http://www.honda.co.uk/car/accord/saloon/

If the US gets a diesel Accord, it will be the US-spec car in addition to the TSX.

Ah well that makes sense.

[cattlerepairman]

The scary part, though, is that VW has had Diesels on this market for the better part of 30 years, Mercedes Benz probably even longer. Nevertheless, having the dealerships service these vehicles appears to be a crap shoot.

I am wondering whether Honda or Subaru techs will be quicker on the uptake than many of their VW colleagues. The Diesel passenger car segment in the US is a niche market (perhaps slightly larger of a percentage in Canada) and, let's face it, most consumers rely on the dealer to service the vehicles. The dealer's screwups will become the car's fault and, by extension, the fault of the "unreliable" diesel technology. "Yeah, we all knew why we always bought gassers, don't we? Nooo-One we know ever trusted one of them Deee-zels."

I sincerely hope that the wider availability of diesels will enhance their appeal, but I am holding my breath if the maintenance and repair segment does not shape up..

IMHO, there has to be a good offering of average-budget, entry-model diesels to make them more appealing.
I see VW perhaps doing that, but the others?

[TimboTA]

Other than the VW wagon, the Subaru really interests me. Sadly, VW won't have what I want in stock (at least without a mandatory dealer price inflation) and the Subaru is not available...and I've started to look for a new ride.

[All of Us]

I didn't see Mahindra on that list and was wondering whether they were overlooked, or whether they changed their mind about bringing their diesel powered small/intermediate pickup to the USA? Anybody know for sure?

Dan

[TDIMeister]

The completeness of any listing in an article is only as complete as the research that the goes into it. Mahindra's missing from the list is probably not intentional, but just overlooked. Manufacturer announcements of product availability are always in states of flux, and looking 1, 2- or more years into the future adds more uncertainty whether commitments will be kept. One cannot underestimate the huge logistical and regulatory challenges of bring a new vehicle model into the North American market, especially for an unknown, obscure brand (in North America) and a ground-up dealer network. I wish Mahindra sincere luck.

It has been reported that Mahindra is delaying U.S. introduction of its Diesel/hybrid SUV.

[tdisedanman]

Originally Posted by kcfoxie

So is it an Accord or an Acura? It seems like no one really knows. The last article that I read said it was a Euro Acrua TSX that was going to be badged as a Honda Accord, and the photo of the test vehicle in NYC had a Honda logo.

It's kind of important, as my parents are more keep to purchase a new Honda/Acura product over a VW product due to perceived reliability.

update: called an Acura dealer and they said there will be a diesel TSX in 2009 but no pricing or availability has been released on it yet. But it is coming. The current year models are $29k to $32k in price... that's um, a lot more than a VW. If the Honda's aren't in the same range as the VW, my parents would be better off with the VW IMHO.

Called the Honda dealer. Boy, do these guys know their facts and are polite (can't say that about Leith or Southern States VW).... they said Honda decided to sell it with the Acura brand first to see how well it does. They said they do not anticipate an Accord with the same engine until the 2010-2011 time frame, but he said you never know. They might put it in the late 2009 lineup.

I'd be comfortable with an Acura diesel product even though the dealership would need to train techs. VW has had diesels in country on and off over the years but I don't feel that their service dept and techs are uber knowledgeable.