Beneath the hood of Audi’s Cross Cabriolet Quattro concept revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November nestled a highly significant development in the international race to produce ever cleaner and efficient but more responsive diesel engines. It was Volkswagen’s new, high-pressure common-rail 3.0-L TDI with integrated cylinder pressure control and Ad Blue exhaust after treatment chnology. Due in production this year, the engine not only produces 176 kW (236 hp) and 500 N.m (369 Ib.ft), but is also claimed to be the cleanest diesel in the world, with exhaust emissions projected at EU6 levels.
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Not long after you read this, a diesel-powered Honda passenger vehicle will enter the U.S. EPA’s Mobi Emissions testing facility to begin I certification process for the 2009 model year. Diesel is in development. Honda’s simultaneous forays into the emerging U.S. and Japanese light-duty diesel markets, following its successful diesel debut in Europe five years ago, are injecting new excitement into the company. CEO Takeo Fukui, his chief of R&D, Hirohide Ikeno, and the young diesel engineers AEI spoke with at Honda’s Motegi proving ground and Tokyo Motor Show last October are clearly proud of challenging Europe’s best in the compression-ignition arena. Honda will be the first Japanese OEM to offer a clean diesel in Japan’s passenger-car market. The move is partially aimed at leveraging purchase-tax breaks the Japanese government is considering for diesel cars, similar to those available for hybrids. Click here to read more.. »