Detroit Auto Show 2007: Clean Diesels are Coming

They’re not getting as much attention as the electrics, but these fuel-savers will be here much sooner.
BY DAVE VANDERWERP, January 2007

Many are touting the Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric-car concept as the star of the Detroit auto show, and a much-needed answer to future fossil-fuel woes. And yes, the technology is sound and the concept is promising, but in the near-term the cost of the massive lithium-ion battery is far too expensive to make the Volt a production reality.

Until then, the real fuel misers will be the wave of clean diesels heading to the U.S., which generally improve fuel economy by 20 to 30 percent compared with their gas-powered siblings. And not only do the diesels improve fuel economy, but they don’t sacrifice towing capacity or highway mileage as hybrids do, which seems to make diesels, and particularly diesel SUVs, a perfect fit for the American market.

At the recent Detroit auto show there was an onslaught of diesel-related announcements. Following the announcement in December by Volkswagen/Audi and DaimlerChrysler to brand clean diesels under the BlueTec banner—models from Audi, VW, Mercedes-Benz, and Jeep will all wear that name—Audi announced a 50-state clean-diesel version of the Q7 SUV for 2009. Also on the Audi stand was a 500-hp V-12 diesel Q7, officially a concept for the U.S., but set to go on-sale later this year in Europe. A clean-diesel VW Touareg is likely to follow.