Question of the Day: Which Car Would You Drop A Diesel Into?
Many automakers are starting to come around to the fact that they may be able to sell a few more diesel-powered cars in the U.S. then they have in the past, even with the cost of the fuel rising fast in this country. And while our options become greater by the week, the American public doesn’t have the oil-burner selection found in the rest of the world. Which make and model of car would you like to see offered with a diesel option? Why would that combination work so well for you? Give us your best diesel-powered design, in comments.
Comments
Jeb
You pictured my first one, the Fit. My second would be the new Fiesta, or maybe the Fusion.
VMMVMMM
I always wanted to drive a Diesel into my old Ford Windstar minivan, but I don't think that is what is being asked here.
Dane
A Volkswagen Golf (or is it a Rabbit here?)....
or
a Ford Focus
any car actually... but give it a package that would look great like, a GTI...
My Eurovan (Caravalle) would work better as a diesel too...
Josh
1997 Jeep cherokee
Nick
Lotus Elise, obviously.
Jim
chevy volt
OPF
An Altima and ALL Nissan trucks and SUVs!
chuck goolsbee
My favorite subject!
Lotus Elise: Lightweight, British, Sportscar. Originally the term "sportscar" did not have to equate to "big horsepower"... look at the classic British roadsters: Triumph, Healey, MG, etc. They had small motors of agricultural origin... but DAMN were they FUN to drive! AND they were economical. Time to bring back those values to the car scene.
Audi TT roadster: See above.
The whole range of compact economy cars: Fit & Yaris at one end of the scale, Accord & Camry at the other.
In fact with the exception of the Lotus, you CAN buy just about any car you want with a Diesel, in Europe. Why can't we also be allowed that choice here in the USA? Let the FREE MARKET decide, not the bureaucratic regulators in Sacramento, California!
The first carmaker to offer a 2-seat roadster in America gets my money on day one. Audi? Lotus? Alfa Romeo? Are you listening?
--chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org
Jeff
Just about kind of vehicle would benefit from having a diesel engine available. If I had to pick one, I'd say the Honda Fit. Allowed a second choice, the Chevy Colorado.
Redshark
I'd put the new ford 4.4 V8 DIESEL into THE Lincoln MKS; also, any minivan could do well with any good diesel.
dante
My 1990 Subaru Legacy wagon.
X3 SoB
I agree with the Chevy Volt idea, a series hybrid is probably the most efficient use of diesel power. I also think a small pickup(which doesn't here in the US)would be good. Is it just in my area, or have diesel prices recently gone through the roof? It's like about $1.50 more than gasoline around here. Pricing like this will stop any typical buyer from going the diesel route.
dieselhead
Diesel engines will sell at a premium, so the car has to be worth it, but relatively low weight to take advantage of that lovely torque consistent in feel with big torque:
Audi S4 and S4 Avant
Audi A8L
Jaguar XKR
Infiniti G37
Subaru WRX STi
VW GTI
Cadillac CTS-V
Paul In Jersey
A Prius. It would be great to show the eco-snobs how misguided they are.
uragan
After thinking about it for a while, I say ALL cars should have a Diesel option. If you don't believe me, check the performance of the BMW 320d, Land Rover Discovery 2.7TD, Citroën C2 etc.
MGBYG
Magnum w/ 300C nose (Chrysler 300 Estate in EU market),
with 6-speed manual bolted to a large Mercedes Turbodiesel. It's got to fit with all those old MB-300E chassis hardpoints.
Black. AZ-tint. 20s with at least some sidewall... hit bumps more than pull G's
Chequebook is ready to those maybe reading from the 3-headed dog.
mbslrm
Any car, really.
Cicero
Every domestic half ton truck, all Caddy models, Ford Focus (next gen) and Fiesta in North America, The Fusion, the Chevy Malibu, the Saturn Aura
John F
I second Paul in Jersey on the Prius. With all the non-hybrid technology the Prius has going for it (low rolling resistance tires, light weight pieces, aerodynamics, etc.), losing the extra weight of the hybrid system in favor of a diesel would certainly improve highway mpg and could even improve on city mpg.
Garfield134
Honda Fit
Honda Accord (Honda motors, are you listening?)
VW Golf (Rabbit)
VW Polo (see link)
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/article_2284.shtml
ATL
Chrysler Town & Country
texan
My next car will be the Subaru WRX with the boxer diesel.
MontyInNJ
For long trips Honda Odyssey, Since Honda is clueless. An Audi Q5 w/3.0 TDI & 7sp DSG. Daily driver 2.0 TDI and a DSG in what ever platform gets here first...
Ken
Any current Domestic vehicle with a 4 or 6 with a manual tranny, preferably a 6 speed.
Dustin B.
Stupid idea in the first place, but I'll play.
Jeep Wrangler.
BG
I'd put in the Prius with the hybrid system intact. I honestly believe it's the wave of the future. I can't understand why GM did not use a diesel in their new two mode hybrid trucks. Is it perhaps more complicated to modulate the cylinder count with a diesel?
Ham944
I saw (heard) several Chysler minivans in Sweden with a diesel engine. Over there gas was about $7.60/gal, so a minivan with milage in the 30mpg range makes sense. I would like to see that setup in the US before gas gets that high here.
Andy II
I think all cars should have the option of a diesel engine!
Steve
I'm sure that Ducati is going to want to put diesel in just about every car that we can think of!!! :-)
I like the idea of the minivan... and all of the little cars (Fit, etc)
94 Taurus owner
I second on all cars.
Michael R
BMW X3 with the big six twin turbo diesel. They have been driving it in Europe for years and it kicks arse. We can't get it here.
425 lbs/ft in that light SUV......shite!
Buy one tomorrow if they sold it here.
JR
Ford Maverick
rip
Audi A5.
And put in a proper sunroof. WTF were they thinking by not offering one?
Do those 2 things, and they have a sale.
Sean
Porsche 911, just for the hell of it.
bepsf
How about what cars would NOT be better off with a Diesel?
Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Porsches, Corvettes, Mustangs, Bugattis...
...these just need to be made lighter in weight and with smaller gasoline engines.
Matthew M
I'm waiting for the 120d (hint, hint BMW!)
Tim
Bugatti! Haha
But really, the Merc S, the BMW 7, the Audi A8, etc etc
erth
here is a suggestion. if you see a car, put a diesel in it.
all of them.
B
Any large station wagon, so I can ditch my mid-size SUV that gets 15 mpg. Perhaps the Volvo V70, BMW 5 series, Audi A6 Wagon, or VW Passat.
Mike
I second just about all of them.Why is just when diesels are gaining in popularity in the US the price of diesel fuel has jumped so high. Come on, there has to some conspiracy theory out there.
DanD
Many good answers here. Myself, I'd like to see a diesel offered in a smallish pickup such as the GM Colorado/Canyon twins (but only if they facelift that ugly front end and improve the interior).
However, the car that cries out for a modern diesel more than any other, is that '82 Oldsmobile oil burner languishing in the weeds behind the barn out there at your uncle's farm. Can you say "resto-mod?"
grohlinator
I wish SAAB would bring their TTiD to the states. I would take that in a XWD 9-3.
Garrett
Any wagon with an all-wheel drive option (Subaru, VW, Volvo)
Or maybe a new VW Rabbit Pickup?
Jake
Proud (former) owner of an 02 VW Jetta TDI, 5spd:
Audi A3 Quattro 5 door, 6 spd.
Land Rover Defender 90/110 td5, 5 spd.
The two of those would make the perfect pair of cars to own. One for environmentally-irresponsible off-roading and around-town driving and one for efficient commuting and comfortable highway driving.
And all the manufacturers need to do is IMPORT them!
JOHND
With current diesel fuel prices in the NYC metro area pushing $5/gallon..... None.
Jim Brothers
I really like my Mountaineer but can hardly afford to drive it at 16-20 MPG. I'd like to see a turbo-diesel option on any medium to large SUV and pickup.
I'd also be interested in small luxury cars with diesels. Audi A3,A4, Mercedes C,CLK, BMW X3, 1 series, Caddy CTS, Lincoln MKZ, and the new Volvo 30 are all good possibilities.
Another thought; All major American and European major car companies have some real good diesels, but the Japanese and Korean companies are behind in this technology.
Diego
Dear Honda,
Please put a diesel in your Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. I will buy them as soon as you do so.
Thanks.
MJK
I'd put it in the biggest Ford pick up I could find, then I would put 4 wheels in the back under the bed and then I'd...oh........ wait a minute.
Mena
More diesel options would be cool but since none of you would buy one anyways, who cares.
Ducati Minor
Exactly. $4.70 per gal. plus $2,000 to $4,000 as a premium to buy one? Time to drop the diesel rally cry.
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