WASHINGTON, April 12 (UPI) -- It's not your dad's diesel anymore.
Though diesel cars are currently a small fraction of the U.S. automobile market, these more fuel-efficient diesel vehicles may soon begin to pick up in popularity as gas prices continue their rise toward record levels for the summer. And with improved engineering, the latest breed of diesels are helping to put to rest the former images of tailpipe smoke and noise formerly associated with diesel vehicles.
According to the Washington, D.C.-based Diesel Technology Forum, a growing number of U.S. consumers are beginning to realize what Europeans have known for a while now -- that diesel vehicles save you money at the pump.
"Thanks to advanced engine and fuel technologies, today's diesel owners will enjoy a whole new driving experience that is incomparable to what was experienced in the past," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "Today's diesel vehicles are clean, quiet and fun to drive."
He noted some of the following:
-- Despite the concurrent rise in diesel fuel prices, diesel vehicles are much more fuel efficient, typically getting 20-40 percent more miles to the gallon than a comparable gasoline car.
-- Diesel cars provide superior power and performance to most gasoline cars, an important feature for American drivers.
-- Diesels burn less fuel, so they emit much smaller levels of carbon dioxide -- a contributor to global warming -- compared to gasoline.
Schaeffer said that because of the fuel cost-effectiveness of vehicles account, these cars account for as much as 40 percent of new vehicle sales in Europe. Also, with the introduction of cleaner fuels and emissions-control technology, diesel emissions have been dramatically reduced.
Schaeffer added, however, that diesel was still sub-par overall to gas in emitting pollution.
The Diesel Technology Forum is looking for 2004 as pivotal year for diesel vehicles in the United States.
Currently, diesel vehicles currently represent less than 1 percent (0.4 percent) of all new car sales in the United States. However, according to the forum, as gasoline prices continue to climb along with concerns about U.S. reliance on imported oil, the potential for more diesel engines in U.S. cars, pickups and SUVs continues to grow.
Schaeffer noted that Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge already offer diesel versions of their popular pickup trucks, adding that now, the domestic automakers are getting back into the diesel car and SUV market as well. This month a new diesel engine option will be available for the Mercedes E-Class; and a diesel version of the Jeep Liberty is set to debut this fall.
Volkswagen has been selling diesel versions of its popular Beetle, Jetta and Golf models in the U.S. with great success. On Monday, the German automaker announced the nationwide arrival of what the company said is the most fuel-efficient midsize family car sold in the U.S. -- the diesel-powered 2004 Passat TDI.
The new Passat provides room for five adults and both the sedan and wagon versions of the car deliver an EPA fuel rating of 38 miles-per-gallon on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. With its 16.4 gallon fuel tank, the Passat TDI offers a driving range of 623 miles.
"This means the Passat TDI can be driven from Detroit to Washington, D.C. on a single tank of fuel and still have enough left in the tank to sightsee for the day." the company said in a release.
The Passat TDI sedan is priced at a MSRP of $23,060. The Passat TDI Wagon is $24,060.
The company said that "Helping put to rest the bleak images of tailpipe smoke and noise, Volkswagen's TDI diesel engines are extremely high-tech, much cleaner and a major departure from what many consumers may remember about old diesels."
Specifically, the Passat TDI 2.0-liter is a four-cylinder direct-injection engine with a turbocharger/intercooler. It delivers 134 horsepower at 4,000 revolutions per minute and a maximum torque of 247 lbs.-ft. at just 1,900 rpm, according to Volkswagon.
Schaeffer of the Diesel Technology Forum said, "2004 is just the beginning of a new era of diesel options for the American consumer. We believe that the widespread availability of low sulfur fuel in 2006 will only further drive demand for these products. There's no question -- the diesel is back."
