Diesels for America?

Where are the [Bio]Diesels?

With the exception of VW and Mercedes, where are all the high milage, low emission Diesels? ANSWER: NOT IN THE USA. This page shows you just a few of the manufacturers (American, Bristish, German, Japanese, and Korean) that offer diesels that are suitable for using Biodiesel. They're sold in Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and in South America, but not here. With FABULOUS mileage and the ability to use ZERO sulfur Biodiesel that is grown/produced/sold in the USA, go ask the dealers of these cars to bring in the "Good stuff"! Why settle for lousy mileage when you can be getting 40, 50, 60 MPG using biodiesel. When you fill up your tank with biodiesel, not 1 penny of your fuel cost goes overseas to support governments or groups that are less than savory.

New Mercedes Diesel

24 May 2005: Mercedes-Benz announced its new V8 diesel engine will enter production this Fall in the new model E 420 CDI. The 314 hp powerplant develops maximum torque of 730 Nm at 2200 rpm, allowing the E 420 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 s. Combined fuel consumption is 25.3 mp. The Euro 4 vehicle will be equipped with a diesel particulate filter.

New Mercedes Diesels Breaks World Endurance Record

Mercedes ran three (3) of the new Diesels continuosly for 100,000 miles on a racetrack in Laredo, Texas earlier this month.

The 100,000 miles was covered at an AVERAGE speed of 139.699 mph, the best ever recorded by ANY car. Each car did no fewer than 20,000 punishing laps over 30 days. Adding up the distances covered by all three cars (300,000 miles) is one-and-a-quarter times the distance from Earth to the moon! The vehicles were driven by three teams of six drivers, including the former German touring car racer Bernd Mayländer, with each driver taking the wheel for about 2 hours, 10 minutes between refueling stops.

The record attempts were supervised by the FIA, the world's automotive governing body. Even at the average speed of nearly 140 mph, the cars got EIGHTEEN MILES PER GALLON! More info

Ford Mondeo Diesel does 137 mph, gets 58 MPG

It's the fastest diesel Ford has ever produced.

It has a highly-tuned bored-out version of the 2.0 TDCi - a 2.2-litre turbo producing 155bhp and 265lbs of torque. It does 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds. It can also reach 137mph and return 58 mpg, with both saloon and estate versions. (Sorry, Not available in the USA.) More info

Ford Focus Estate TDCi (48-60 mpg)

Since 2004 the car has picked up some 60 European motoring awards, but SORRY, FORD DOESN'T SELL THIS CAR IN AMERICA.. Ford has fitted the estate with front and new 3D-shaped side airbags to protect against upper body injuries. Roof-mounted curtain airbags are available on most versions too. Driving is enhanced by the latest electric hydraulic power-steering. It's fitted to all Duratorq diesel models and reduces steering effort around town, while offering more feedback as speeds pick up. . It has a low loading lip for bulky items and with the rear seats folded down, the luggage area is flat.

Ford offers a range of accessories to enhance the car, like dog divider systems and bespoke luggage. Optional extras include adaptive headlights, which turn with the steering wheel as you go around a corner and Ford's KeyFree system that lets you unlock the car or even start the engine without taking the keyfob from your pocket. (48-60 mpg) More info

Kia Cerato Diesel - 57.6 MPG

The entry-level GS five-door hatchback comes with six airbags, air-conditioning, a CD player that can play MP3 files, remote central locking, front and rear electric windows and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.
Top speed 107.

SORRY, NOT SOLD IN USA. More info

BMW 3 Series Diesel Wagon - 47.9 mpg

The new BMW 3 Series Touring, which goes on sale in the UK this September has broken cover.

(Engine 2.0-litre diesel, 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds, Top speed 138 mph, Combined economy 47.9 mpg) SORRY, NOT SOLD IN USA. More info

Lexus IS200 Diesel - Sorry Not for USA

The all-new Lexus IS200 has been revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. The new model features styling that is quite similar to the new GS model and is the first Lexus car to be fitted with a diesel engine. The 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel unit is, for now, the most powerful in its class, producing 175bhp and 400Nm of torque from 2,000 from to 2,400rpm. More info SORRY, NOT FOR SALE IN USA...

Jaguar XJ Saloon Diesel - NOT FOR SALE IN USA (48.5 MPG)

Jaguar's X-TYPE diesel range moves up a gear for the 2006 model year with the introduction of a new 2.2 litre turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission. The new engine takes the number of diesel X-TYPE models to four and Jaguar's diesel range to five, with a sixth soon to be announced in the shape of the new XJ Diesel. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures have changed slightly as a direct result of achieving the improved emissions status figures, the combined fuel consumption for the Saloon is 49.1mpg and for the Estate 48.5mpg. More info

Thoughts moving forward

VW and Dailer (Mercedes) should be lauded for their leadership in providing vehicles which can be run on Biodiesel. The other manufacturers should be encouraged to sell diesel products in the US. Federal, State, local officials need to hear from their constituents about the issue.

Factual information must be made more available including which crops give the highest oil yield. The current 'favorite', soy, yields only about 1/3 that of rapeseed or mustard seed. Those who state how many acres would be required to fuel America never seem to say which crops they are using for calculations. Multiplying yields by 3X while reducing the usage of fertilizers and pesticides change the equation SIGNIFICANTLY. As time, energy, and money permits, I'll be adding to the biodiesel section considerably!

- Larry