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Diesel is such an obvious answer. If you want to get a bit frustrated with our EPA and the carmakers, go to a large bookstore and buy a copy of the UK Top Gear magazine. Look in the back of said magazine, and look up the fuel economy figures. Deduct 20% for the 5 quart gallon used in the UK.
I want the euro version of the Volvo V60 wagon, with the 929 mile range.
One other point-the usual excuse given for not bringing diesels here is a "lack of demand". Riiiiggghhht. Go down to the local VW dealer and see if you can buy a TDI off the lot without paying well above the sticker. The demand is there but if the carmakers were to fill it they wouldn't be able to command such a diesel premium, would they?
The ford F-150 with a Direct injection 4.5-5.0 Liter sized turbo diesel Inline 6 and now we are talking..even better if Cummins made it too... But then again that would be just a pipe dream of mine seeing a Cummins is a dodge only engine supplier
You also have to remember that diesel prices are also somewhat an issue here as well. Regular gas is around $3.39 here in NJ and diesel is running $4.04. That's a 16% difference in price, so you need at least a 16% MPG improvement to overcome it. Now, most diesel cars can hit that, but then the engines cost about $2k more per unit on average. Overall, diesel cars simply don't pay for themselves in the US. Though that could change as diesel use increases and some of it could be fixed by adjusting fuel taxes, which currently weigh heavier on diesel.
I still think it is a move that is long overdue, but it will be a hard sell in the mainstream. GM should be first up as a high volume mainstream manufacturer with a diesel engine when they drop one in the Cruze in 2013. The success of that car is going to be watched very closely.
You also have to remember that diesel prices are also somewhat an issue here as well. Regular gas is around $3.39 here in NJ and diesel is running $4.04.
Wow, that's a big difference. Here regular is $3.49 and diesel is $3.71 today and it was closer a couple days ago because gas went down 5 cents and diesel went up 5 cents.
Right now, what passenger car under $25K would you say is a good diesel to own for a commuter? VW Golf? Other than VW, I can't think of any other brand. Wonder what kind of mpg the 2013 Cruz diesel will get...
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