No longer rattling buckets of nails that belch black smoke, modern diesel engines are clean, powerful and economical. With a 53% market share in the EU, it’s the power plant of choice for fuel-conscious Europeans, and if you believe everything you read last year, 2009 was supposed to be the year diesel finally broke into America.
Stories of diesel-powered cars returning 60 mpg started to flood all forms of media, and as soon as gas hit $4/gallon, Americans started clamoring for cars powered by these gas-sipping, torque-heavy engines. Manufacturers started planning to meet this growing demand for diesels and were proudly proclaiming that, before the end of ‘09, Americans would be able to buy clean-burning, diesel-powered versions of their favorite cars.
Unfortunately, the economic collapse of late 2008 has forced many manufacturers to restructure their plans, and many of 2009’s most anticipated diesels have been put on “indefinite hiatus.” So, while this means that you may never get that i-DTEC TSX, the Germans are still happy to satisfy your oil-burning needs.
This will be a bit of a mixed top 10 list; while we will of course feature the clean diesels that will actually be on sale in North America this year, we’ll also look at a few European rides that we wish we could get our hands on.
Stories of diesel-powered cars returning 60 mpg started to flood all forms of media, and as soon as gas hit $4/gallon, Americans started clamoring for cars powered by these gas-sipping, torque-heavy engines. Manufacturers started planning to meet this growing demand for diesels and were proudly proclaiming that, before the end of ‘09, Americans would be able to buy clean-burning, diesel-powered versions of their favorite cars.
Unfortunately, the economic collapse of late 2008 has forced many manufacturers to restructure their plans, and many of 2009’s most anticipated diesels have been put on “indefinite hiatus.” So, while this means that you may never get that i-DTEC TSX, the Germans are still happy to satisfy your oil-burning needs.
This will be a bit of a mixed top 10 list; while we will of course feature the clean diesels that will actually be on sale in North America this year, we’ll also look at a few European rides that we wish we could get our hands on.
No.10 - Jaguar XJ Diesel
We don’t want to seem as if we’re unabashedly bowing down at the altar of Clarkson, but the Jaguar XJ Sovereign diesel finds its way onto this list specifically because it was featured on a recent episode of Top Gear.
The majority of Americans still associate diesel power with large semi-trucks or rusted-out Mercedes-Benz turbo-diesels, but the XJ’s appearance on Top Gear showed audiences that modern diesel-powered cars can be refined, powerful and economical. Even when driven hard by loudmouthed, boorish middle-aged man deliberately trying to run out of gas, the XJ managed to make the 736-mile trip from Switzerland to the northwestern coast of England on one tank of fuel.
Those who don’t care about British motoring programs will still find a lot to like about the Jaguar XJ diesel. Power comes from a 2.7-liter V6, good for 204 horsepower and 321 lb-ft. of torque. Total fuel economy is 35 mpg, and the C02 levels were deemed low enough to name the XJ Diesel Britain’s Greenest Luxury Car two years in a row. The Jag’s 0-60 time is a respectable 7.8 seconds, and its top speed is 141 mph. Luxuries include heated and cooled 16/16 soft grain leather seats, and accessories like the 20-inch Takoba wheels add a bit of visual flare.
No.9 - Renault Laguna Coupe 3.0 Diesel
Every now and then we hear rumors about French auto manufacturer Renault planning a return to the American market, but those plans never materialize. Chances are Renault is staying out of the country for two reasons. One: Few people have heard of Renault. Two: The people who actually have heard of the company immediately associate it with the miserable Le Car. That’s too bad, as we’d love to see the stunning Laguna Coupe here on our shores. Its face may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but to us the Laguna Coupe is definitely one of the prettiest cars we’ve seen in some time.
Reviewers agree that the Laguna Coupe’s optional 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 is the powerplant of choice. Tuned more for sport than fuel economy, this motor pumps out 235 horsepower and 332 lb-ft. of torque (starting at just 1,500 rpm), and the run from 0-60 takes just seven seconds. Handling gets a boost thanks to Renault’s four-wheel active steering system. Best of all, the Laguna Coupe is able to deliver solid driving thrills while returning a combined 40 mpg.
No.8 - Lexus IS 220d
The only Japanese-built diesel finding its way onto our list is Lexus’ IS 220d Sport. Powering the diesel IS is a direct-injected turbocharged 2.2-liter four-banger good for 175 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. The bulk of that torque comes in at a low 2,000 rpm, helping the Lexus hit 62 mph from a standstill in 8.9 seconds. Top speed in this Lexus is a reported 134 mph. That’s not fast by any stretch of the imagination, but the chassis is still solid, and with 44.8 combined mpg, this diesel IS sedan is probably still more fun to drive than the upcoming HS 250h -- it certainly looks better.
No.7 - Alfa Romeo Brera 2.4 JTDM 2.0
It is often said that you buy an Italian car with your heart, not your head. Sure, the build quality can be appallingly bad; and yes, the car may choose to simply not run six days of the week, but when said car is as beautiful as an Alfa Romeo, you tend not to care. We’ve never had to deal with the heartache of owning an Alfa, and that’s precisely why we want an Alfa Romeo Brera 2.4 JTDM.
A 2.4-liter, 5-cylinder motor rests under the hood of the Brera, and it boasts the highest specific output of any Alfa diesel ever made: 84hp/L (that's 210 horsepower). Torque is rated at 294 lb-ft. Given how fast this car looks, its 7.9-second 0-60 time seems almost agonizingly slow. However, as this car delivers a combined 41.5 mpg, we can live with the average acceleration. Besides, when a car looks this good, it’s OK to drive a bit slower and enjoy the approving stares.
No.6 - Citroen C5 HDi
Citroens have been called everything but “conventional,” but that doesn’t mean that the French manufacturer can’t build a car with mainstream appeal. The company’s latest C5 sedan brings modern (and admittedly more German) styling, and mates it to the silhouette of the classic DS.
We’ve already spent the No. 10 slot talking about this car’s motor. Thanks to an alliance with Ford and Peugeot, the diesel-powered C5 gets the same 2.7-liter V6 found in the Jag. However, just because the motor is shared between cars doesn’t mean that performance numbers are identical. The official combined mpg number is 33.6, similar to the Jag, but it takes a lot longer to make the run from 0-60; 8.4 seconds to be exact. Still, the Citroen is a handsome and nicely appointed sedan, thus earning a spot on our list.
No.5 - Mercedes-Benz ML 320 BlueTEC
Given the fact that diesels are extremely popular in Europe, it should come as no surprise that it’s the European manufacturers who are working the hardest to bring diesel back to North America. Mercedes’ latest ML 320 BlueTEC earns its spot on this list because it’s a car that Americans can actually go out and buy.
BlueTEC is the technology known for its urea-injection exhaust cleaning technology (and all the pee jokes it brings) that is said to produce the cleanest exhaust fumes you’ll ever see or smell. In the ML 320 BlueTEC, this technology is mated to a 210-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel. Torque is a V8-like 398 lb-ft., which is available as low as 1,400 rpm. Even with all that stump-pulling power, chances are you’ll see more MLs making the school run than hauling boats.
The ML 320 BlueTEC gets an EPA estimated 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. That seems much lower than what the European rides are capable of, but keep in mind that the MPG numbers of EU/UK cars are measured using Imperial Gallons (1.2 U.S. gallons = approx 1 Imperial gallon). Official UK specs show that the ML 320 achieves a combined MPG of 30.1. Independent tests of U.S.-spec ML 320 BlueTECs have seen the soft roader achieve combined mpg numbers in the mid 20s.
No.4 - VW Jetta TDI
A few years back a major automotive magazine test showed that the Jetta TDI was able to achieve combined MPG numbers greater than those of the two most popular hybrids at the time. Despite the accolades, changing emissions laws forced VW to pull the diesel Jetta from its lineup. Not a company to sit idly by and watch hybrids take the Jetta TDI’s market share, VW used some of the BlueTEC technology it codeveloped with Mercedes-Benz (minus the urea injection) to develop a new 50-state legal turbo-diesel Jetta.
Powering the latest Jetta TDI is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that produces 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft. of torque. This Jetta is also the first automobile to meet the world’s toughest emissions standards: California’s Tier II, Bin 5. Its 0-60 times are in the mid-8 second range, and the Jetta TDI gets an EPA-estimated 33 combined mpg. Priced moderately at about $23,090, the Jetta TDI has proven to be quite popular. Volkswagen completely sold out of its initial allotment of U.S. cars, so be prepared to wait (or pay a premium) for a turbo-diesel Jetta of your own.
No.3 - Audi A3 TDI
Though technically not scheduled to hit the U.S. until first-quarter 2010, we felt that the Audi A3 TDI deserved a place on this list. The powertrain is exactly the same as the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel mill found in the Jetta TDI, so horsepower and torque numbers will be identical, as will the standard DSG dual-clutch transmission.
Unlike the full BlueTEC system found on Mercedes’ diesels, VAG’s partial BlueTEC seems as if it will be more user-friendly as it requires no after treatment. That urea injection system we keep talking about requires new fluid every three months or so -- the diesel found in the Jetta and A3 requires no such maintenance. We’ve always liked the A3, and we’re eager to see how North America responds to the diesel version. Pricing will be revealed closer to the car’s actual release date.
No.2 - BMW 335d
Though it has always offered diesel powerplants in Europe, BMW brings its diesel game back to the U.S. in the form of the 335d sedan. Given the 3 Series’ status and legendary performance, if any car can turn Americans on to diesel power, it would be this one.
The 2009 BMW 335d looks just like any other 3 Series. Unlike what we see with most hybrids, there are no massive badges or stickers proclaiming this sedan’s eco-friendly status. Power comes from a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six rated at 265 horsepower and a massive 425 lb-ft. of torque. It is said that the 335d takes just 6.2 seconds to go from 0-60, and the car is estimated to return 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway.
Just like the Mercedes-Benz, the BMW 335d uses a full BlueTEC system, though here it is called the Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance. The urea solution (called “AdBlue”) needs to be refilled at regular intervals, but BMW will perform the service free of charge as part of its 4-year/50,000 mile maintenance program. Right now U.S. buyers can only get the diesel engine in the sedan; here’s hoping a coupe version isn’t too far off.
No.1 - Audi R8 TDI
Though a production version hasn’t been officially announced, there’s no doubt that if any diesel-powered car deserves the No. 1 spot on this (or any) list, it’s Audi’s R8 TDI concept.
Audi’s original diesel-powered R8 Le Mans not only changed the way people think about diesel engines, it revolutionized racing. Due, in no small part, to its miserly fuel consumption and massive torque, the whisper-quiet prototype racers dominated every racing series they participated in. Newer versions of the R-series Le Mans car appeared, as did diesel-powered rivals from manufacturers like Peugeot. Even as the various racing bodies implemented rule changes to make the field more competitive, Audi kept refining its cars and kept winning races. Audi’s latest diesel-powered prototype, the R15, just ran (and won) a flawless race at Sebring.
So, with all this race-proven diesel-powered technology at its disposal, imagine what Audi could do with a diesel-powered street-legal supercar? The original R8 street car prototype came powered by a revolutionary 6.0-liter V12 TDI. This engine spit out 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft. of torque. And thanks to its Quattro all-wheel drive system, it stormed to 62 mph in just 4.2 seconds. Best of all, this prototype was said to deliver 23 mpg.
Audi was supposed to announce whether or not it would produce the car sometime last year. While the company continues to keep us waiting, new rumors are saying that, if a production version is to be launched, it would be powered by a twin-turbo V8 TDI so as not to compete with its bigger Lamborghini siblings. Hopefully Audi will announce the production version soon -- fingers crossed.
