As for a small diesel, I doubt it would sell very well. It would be a niche market at a cost similar in power and cost to Ford's 2.0l Eco-boost. I'm looking forward to the day when the Eco-line of engines for Ford are the base power plants.
I think if you look at the small diesel's numbers, they will be similar to Ford's Eco-boost engines. So why would Ford do extensive and expensive research and testing when they have a high-tech, high-mpg, high-power, compact engine that features direct injection and turbo-charging? With the right gearing, that drive train can fill many, many roles.
Diesel engines by their very nature are more efficient than any gasoline engine could ever hope to be. Why can the VW jetta TDI get 45 mpg while its gas version can only get 29-30? The diesel engine is the key. Not only does the way a diesel run make it more efficient, but diesel fuel itself contains more BTU's of energy per gallon than gasoline. There are small diesel cars in Europe today that can get upwards of 70 mpg, but we don't have those here because our government simply refuses to let up on its overly stringent requirements to bring them here.
Diesel fuel does indeed contain more energy, but also burns dirtier requiring some very expensive add-ons to the vehicle to pass emissions. Add to that more expensive tune-ups and more expensive fuel and very soon it becomes evident that the cost far out-weighs the benefits. And to Wk's point about self fueling a vehicle, we had a contractor do it for a year with two trucks and it is a very time consuming, messy, and frustrating ordeal so I don't think that's anyone's main objection. You simply wont find that many people willing to take on that task.Diesel engines by their very nature are more efficient than any gasoline engine could ever hope to be. Why can the VW jetta TDI get 45 mpg while its gas version can only get 29-30? The diesel engine is the key. Not only does the way a diesel run make it more efficient, but diesel fuel itself contains more BTU's of energy per gallon than gasoline. There are small diesel cars in Europe today that can get upwards of 70 mpg, but we don't have those here because our government simply refuses to let up on its overly stringent requirements to bring them here.
Diesel fuel does indeed contain more energy, but also burns dirtier requiring some very expensive add-ons to the vehicle to pass emissions. Add to that more expensive tune-ups and more expensive fuel and very soon it becomes evident that the cost far out-weighs the benefits. And to Wk's point about self fueling a vehicle, we had a contractor do it for a year with two trucks and it is a very time consuming, messy, and frustrating ordeal so I don't think that's anyone's main objection. You simply wont find that many people willing to take on that task.
If you frequent diesel pickup sites, you will find the recouping of cost discussion ad nauseum. It seems a consensus is never reached. And why compare diesel only to hybrid? Gasoline tech is quickly eroding the advantages of diesel. And yes, I own a diesel pickup.Those expensive add-ons are the very government requirements that keep us from getting some of the more efficient diesel cars that are found elsewhere in the world. As far as the cost goes there was a study that shows diesel car owners recoup the extra costs of the diesel vehicle faster than that of a hybrid.
Study Shows Diesel Engines Recuperate Extra Cost Quickly
If you frequent diesel pickup sites, you will find the recouping of cost discussion ad nauseum. It seems a consensus is never reached. And why compare diesel only to hybrid? Gasoline tech is quickly eroding the advantages of diesel. And yes, I own a diesel pickup.