New York Times samples the 53mpg Honda Accord diesel
We've sampled several of the European spec diesel models from the Bosch demonstration fleet over the last year and have some more cool tests coming soon. One example that we haven't tried out is the 2007 Honda Accord. The Accord in question is the European model which is smaller than the American market car. This car is available in the U.S. badged as the Acura TSX. However, to date no TSX has been offered with a diesel engine. That will probably change early in 2009 when the TSX is expected to become home to a new 2.2L diesel that Acura displayed at the Detroit Auto Show last January.
The New York Times did get to spend some time with the Bosch Accord and came away quite pleased. They managed to achieve 34mpg driving the Accord around town and a phenomenal 53mpg driving on the highway. Even hard driving still yielded 40mpg. Hopefully we'll get a look at the new U.S.-market Acura diesel before the end of this year.
[Source: New York Times, thanks to Joseph for the tip!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 8:07PM (5/19/2008)
ABG,
Have you been receiving my numerous tips? I just sent you guys an e-mail concerning this specific article a few hours ago. Now it appears on the blog, and yet there is not the typical "kudos to tipster whoever"
I have sent a handful of Tesla Motors related tips in the past few weeks, but there is none of it appears on your blog. I'll send you guys a tip right now so I can test it.
I hate to sound bratty, as I am demanding recognition for the relatively frivolous stuff I find on the internet about cars, but ABG is my favorite, and the best, "green" car website. :)
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Phil L. 10:15PM (5/19/2008)
The real question: Will the diesel Accord make sense in the US by the time they bring it here?
With diesel fuel in my area priced about 25% above gasoline, it'll be tough to make a compelling case - and Honda certainly wants to introduce diesel models at a premium over their gas lineup.
Personally, I think diesel has a lot to offer in the US market - but I won't be surprised if Honda finds a way to delay their diesel models.
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Kevin Nugent 10:28PM (5/19/2008)
well diesel is sky high right now sooo..... its all about the environmental impact. The savings from using diesel are almost gone but its always good to save the environment with less emissions
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Michael Hippenhammer 3:41AM (5/20/2008)
At current prices for diesel and gas I still save $98 a month with my TDI Beetle. I go 178 miles more per tank with my TDI compared to the gas Beetle.
That is calculated at $3.50 a gallon for gas and $4.20 for diesel. So yes the Honda diesel will be very relevant when it comes.
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diesel 4:09AM (5/20/2008)
Hello from Ireland,
I have driven both petrol and diesel over here, and most people will prefer the diesel if they test drive it. Only boy racers will prefer the petrol model to drive, the diesel will be the premium choice because it feels way more powerful then the petrol 2.4 when driven normally, and can cover ground very quickly without much effort, also for reps you will only have to stop for fuel nearly half as often,
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Phil 6:11AM (5/20/2008)
I had the tourer (wagon) version of the diesel Euro Accord for two years and loved it. It averaged about 40 US mpg.
Now I have the same diesel engine in the CR-V, and acheive more than 33 US mpg.
The price of diesel in the US will decrease when the refineries rebalance their output.
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Ian 9:30AM (5/20/2008)
The problems for this car are many. Though it will find some buyers.
Diesel fuel will ALWAYS be 25-30% more expensive than gasoline, because the USA does not play the tax game that is played in Europe. And already refineries here produce a lot of heating oil, which is very similar to diesel, so I don't see any future refinery cost saving. Note also that making more diesel cars in self defeating in some ways. It takes around a 42 Gallon barrel of crude oil to make say 19 gallons of gasoline. But the same amount of crude produces ONLY 10 gallons of diesel. Hence putting more diesels on the road makes the finite supply of crude even more out of balance and raises demand and prices.
Then we have the added complexity of developing, producing and repairing diesel engines. Higher sticker prices. Then we have the huge gains being made in current and newer 2009/10 era hybrids, which will be hitting the roads here around the same time as this diesel engined Acura.
My final thought is that Honda has come late to the diesel party mainly because of the demand out of Europe, which is 100% related to the tax giveaway on that Continent for diesels.
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Zigster 9:55AM (5/20/2008)
yeah ALWAYS, as in never until the last year or so
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Bill 11:16AM (5/20/2008)
Diesel passenger vehicles will have no impact on fuel supply here in the U.S. - commercial use drives diesel demand.
Since we penalize instead of subsidize diesel, most people will look at only the fuel price and stay away from diesel models.
Which is fine by me, since I then have a better chance of getting my hands on this diesel Accord.
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steven 11:34AM (5/20/2008)
Ian: Your logic and facts are a bit off. If you refine 1 barrel of crude oil you get both gas AND diesel, not one or the other.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/oil.html
And if "Diesel fuel will ALWAYS be 25-30% more expensive than gasoline" why was is always cheaper before?
Lastly, there are other refining methods (not used in the US) the can get more gals of diesel from a barrel of crude as well.
Let's hope the rest of your "arguments" are more in line with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Disclaimer: "All scenes, whether actual or created, depict authenticated facts".
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Bowser 1:14PM (5/20/2008)
owned...
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Rick 7:36PM (5/20/2008)
Make a compelling case? Really, diesel is what, $.50 more a gallon and yet nets roguhly TWICE the mileage as most cars?!? So you're paying about 15% more for diesel to get 200% more mileage per tank and some here question whether diesel is worth it?!
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Phil L. 2:18PM (5/20/2008)
Rick -
Well...
Diesel is about 25% more expensive than gasoline in my area. Most examples I've seen show comparable diesel cars get 30-35% better mileage than their gasoline counterparts. You can probably find other examples, but let's stick with what most people will see.
That still means a diesel car will cost less in fuel - but we already know it costs more to buy. It should cost less to maintain over time (no spark plugs, etc. - though typically pricier fuel filter systems), but that will likely depend more on how well a specific manufacturer pays attention to details on their diesel models.
So, yes: Diesel is not now as compelling an option in the US as it has been in Europe for some time.
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Phil L. 8:25PM (5/20/2008)
Rick -
In my area, diesel is 25% higher than (regular) gasoline.
In the recent ABG post on the upcoming Accord diesel, they saw 53 mpg hwy. Since this is actual - not EPA mpg - I offer a friend's late-model 4-cyl Accord, which does 39 highway on a good day. That's good - 36% better mileage.
I've not seen diesel that's only 15% higher - and I've seen no recent diesels that get 200% better mileage than comparable gasoline models. Do you have any links to back up your numbers?
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Bill 10:13PM (5/20/2008)
Diesel here runs 20% more than regular unleaded.
And define "late-model" Accord - my 5-speed got 40 mpg highway as well, but it was a 1988 model.
With today's much, much heavier model there is no way any normal driver will get 40 mpg highway in a petrol-powered Accord (EPA rating is 30 highway)
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Phil L. 8:55AM (5/21/2008)
Bill -
My friend has a 2006 Accord 4 cylinder, manual tranny. And I'll admit he babies it on the road; 39 mpg hwy is a *very* good tank for him, but 36-37 is faily typical for his (mostly hwy) commute. You might almost consider him a closet hypermiler.
His new Accord replaced an '86 Accord that finally rusted out - but was much smaller and lighter; it regularly got highway mileage in the low 40s. Of course, it didn't have today's door impact beams, ABS or airbags, either.
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Seth 5:24PM (5/22/2008)
Yeah,
But why use petrol based fuel in a diesel at all - especially if you live in non-snowy or rarely snowy parts of the country. Home brew fry oil bio diesel should work like charm.
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