Diesels clean up their act, offer stellar fuel economy
Jim Motavalli, AutoWeek
Who would have thought it: After decades of resistance, Americans are starting to realize that today's smooth-running, fuel-efficient diesel cars bear little resemblance to the smelly, polluting slowpokes of old. According to recent sales information, clean diesel sales have jumped more than 25 percent so far in 2012. In October alone, they were up 21 per cent over the same month a year earlier. CNW Research of Brandon, Ore., reports the number of consumers considering diesels rose from 13 percent in 2006 to 28 percent in 2011.
So what happened to the diesel? It's fair to say that it cleaned up its act. Since 2007, new diesels have had to run on ultra-low-sulfur fuel (ULSD). It's a dramatic environmental change. According to the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance, switching to ULSD will have the same effect as “removing the pollution from more than 90 percent of today's trucks and buses, when the current heavy-duty vehicle fleet has been completely replaced in 2030.”
Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, says that today's entries “meet the same stringent standards as hybrids or other passenger cars. There's no longer a question as to whether diesel is a clean technology.”
Americans are still a long way from European levels of diesel preference. Diesels, which benefit from lucrative subsidies in Europe, are so popular there that they're the “green” car of choice, which explains slow sales of expensive hybrids in Europe. In France and Ireland, diesels make up 60 to 70 percent of the auto fleet.
Diesels are relatively affordable in the U.S., even without subsidies. It's the fuel that remains an obstacle since it's generally more expensive than gasoline. Schaeffer says diesel is currently 17 cents more than premium unleaded, but, ironically, lower gasoline demand resulting from more efficient cars and more cautious driving habits has lowered prices.
The Energy Information Agency predicts a 3 percent decline in diesel prices next year, to $3.83 a gallon. That sounds good, but the same agency says this about gasoline: “The projection for the average retail price in 2013 is $3.44 per gallon.” In other words, a 40-cent-per-gallon gap will remain.
Still, diesels are worth considering, because the fuel price is offset by stellar fuel economy. Let's look at a few diesel entries — the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 34 mpg combined (compared to 28 mpg for the four-cylinder gas version with manual transmission); the 2013 Audi A3 diesel, 34 mpg (24 for the gas version, with premium required); the 2013 Mercedes S350 Bluetec 4Matic, 25 mpg combined (compared to 19 mpg for the S550).
We have high hopes for the Chevrolet Cruze diesel, which will appear early next year as a 2014 model. GM hasn't released fuel economy figures yet, but it could offer as much as 50 mpg.
There may be as many as 41 U.S.-spec diesel models to choose from by calendar year 2016. Diesels we expect to see soon include a BMW two-liter four-cylinder and three-liter V6 within the next year, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel (2014). Next year, Audi will offer six diesels — on the A3, A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7. The Cadillac ATS will be available as a diesel next year, and Mazda will introduce the Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter diesel on the Mazda 6 sedan.
Justin Couture
Mark Atkinson
John LeBlanc
Posted by: Nicholas | 2012-12-20 6:02:24 AM
I do spent a lot of time in Europe , was also a long time GMC emplyee . I do hope GMC offers a workable reliable diesel for all their products . Love to C one in their smaller pick ups .
Love the article
TY
Posted by: dave howe | 2012-12-20 6:49:36 PM
wasn't there word that gm was putting a diesel in the Colorado
Posted by: Rob | 2012-12-21 9:32:49 AM
I find it strange that Audi would put the diesel in the A3 but remove the Quattro...
What's with that?
This is Canada, we have long distances to travel all year round.
I just don't understand why I can't get an AWD diesel wagon at a reasonable price point
Put AWD in the diesel VW Golf wagon price it around $33k loaded ($31k loaded FWD right now) and I'm in.
Posted by: dave | 2012-12-21 7:46:00 PM
love those Diesels
Posted by: Cadillac Factory Air Ride | 2013-02-07 8:14:15 PM
The industry still has a very long way to go. Time isn't in our side.