With oil over $53 USD per barrel this week, and no end in sight for the much higher prices compared to the same time last year, more automakers are preparing for what may be a very fuel conscious consumer if the upward trend continues.

Before the world can take advantage of a hydrogen economy, a utopian solution that still requires many infrastructural problems to be resolved, European automakers have been pushing the merits of modern day diesel power, for the most part, while the U.S. and Japanese have taken the HEV, or hybrid-electric vehicle route, the latter with exception of heavy-duty domestic pickup trucks and Jeep's new Liberty Diesel.

View entire article here.

 

And the Mercedes Benz E320 CDI and the Canadian market only Smart (800 cc CDI engine).

These 2 diesel cars are new for the MY2004.

 

Jason, why the title about VW changing its mind?

Europeans are more about diesel technology and always been (good old Rudolf Diesel was german afterall).

First diesel passenger car by Mercedes Benz in 1936.

 

Nevermind, just read the article... :unsure:

For the record, the only common rail diesels are the V6, V8 and V10TDI.

The other use another technology.

The diesel showed in the pic is not common rail.

 

3.8l/100 km....or 62 mpg is not good at all...

Just look at my average with my 1510kg Passat...49.6...

The Lupo 3 litres gets better mileage while being a full diesel (not half of one ).

Some members on TDIclub have 60 mpg averages, so this prototype is not doing something right...

 

Okay. Consecutive posting priviledges revoked

 

Diesels have much higher emissions though, even with the cleanest diesel fuels.