Will Acura's new diesel jump on the DOA train?
Click for a high res gallery of the 2009 Acura TSX
In recent weeks, we've heard about two light duty diesel programs being shelved at Toyota and Ford. Now, an anonymous poster on the Motor Trend forum is indicating the same fate may await the new Acura 2.2L i-DTEC diesel. Honda engineers have been talking about this engine and its innovate new urea-free NOx catalyst for more than two years. At this year's Detroit Auto Show, Acura showed the engine publicly for the first time and announced it would go on sale in an Acura car in early 2009.
Although Honda/Acura PR people don't like to talk about specifics of new products in advance, it has been assumed the engine would land in the TSX which is based on the European spec Honda Accord which is already so equipped. The MT poster indicated that Acura is having trouble getting the automatic transmission version of the diesel to pass emissions. Since Americans tend to be averse to shifting for themselves, without an automatic the whole program could get canceled. The veracity of this story is unknown and may not be accurate. Modern electronically transmissions and engines tend to be easier to pass emissions because the reduced driver input makes it easier for the engineers to calibrate the responses to pass the test. We asked Honda officials for a comment but they haven't yet responded and very likely won't.
[Source: Motor Trend forum]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve-O 4:27PM (10/26/2008)
If this is true, it is very unfortunate. We need a good selelction of Diesel engines in this country and right now have very limited choices.
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gorr 5:47PM (10/26/2008)
Poor manufacturers. The high difficulty of tier 2 bin 5 is almost impossible to reach. Big diesel trucks have to have 10%-15% higher fuel consumption to meet the norm. It consume more because they have to burn fuel in the catalyser to get it warm enouph to burn the remaining soot. I tell you do like walmart and go natural gas instead.
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Perry 10:44PM (10/26/2008)
I think the diesel engine is dead. Its not really that more efficient and its dirty. All that dirt costs alot of money to clean up. Natural gas, straight battery, and hybrid systems will take its place.
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Brian 7:13AM (10/27/2008)
Not more efficient? are you serious? Most diesels get 50% better fuel economy then gas in real world driving (not babying it and hypermiling). My daily driver 96 passat TDI with 240,000 miles returns 48mpg at 80mph on trips. 34 mpg towing my ATV trailer. My weekend "toy" (Silverado diesel) tuned to 450HP 800LB of torque with oversize off road tires manages 17 city and 21 highway and blows the doors off of many sports cars on the drag strip. That may not sound great but it is DOUBLE what the equivalent gas option gets. Bring a hybrid up to 80 mph, set the cruze control and see what type of mpg it gets. In a hybrid one needs to accelerate slow and drive like a grandma to get the EPA MPG. In a diesel, press the pedal down and feel the torque launch you through traffic like a rocket. No special driving is required with diesel to get world class economy while having some fun to boot. If you are the frugal type and your whole purpose in a car is to get from A to B with no thrills buy a hybrid. If you want to have some fun in the process of getting to your destination and not have to drive like an egg is on your accelerator to achieve world class economy buy a diesel.
Phil 9:40AM (10/27/2008)
I have been looking forward to the auto version of the fantastic 2.2 Honda diesel for some years.
I loved the diesel engine in my Euro Accord Tourer, and now in the CR-V.
The diesel CR-V regularly gets about 40 US mpg from a tank, which is massive compared with the gas version.
I don't care if those with more money than sense (like Perry) want to buy the gas engined cars. I love my diesel, and will definitely buy another one!
george 10:54AM (10/27/2008)
I know a lot of people who can't use the regenerative features of the hybrids because of their long straight commutes. Most companies are trying to go green ,but not everyone wants a hybrid that they can't use effectively. Diesell is a great alternative along with full EVs.
http://gas2electric.net
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Gordio 11:32AM (10/27/2008)
They should sell the MT one anyway for those who know how to drive it! This car is likely to sell low numbers anyway because the diesel engine costs more.
Plus they can just have it available for the sake of good PR anyway.
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