Q7 MK 1 Discussion Discussion forum for the Audi Q7 SUV built from 2005 to 2015

Diesel Future in the US

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-27-2016, 03:35 AM
  #1  
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
DUTCH VanAtlanta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: USA, GA, Atlanta
Posts: 1,258
Received 19 Likes on 15 Posts
Default Diesel Future in the US

Not good news! This from Automotive News.

WASHINGTON -- The EPA's crack-down on emissions malfeasance has thrown the U.S. diesel vehicle market into disarray.

With the 2017 model year well underway, Jaguar is the only brand selling 2017 diesel light vehicles in the U.S. That compares with nine brands offering 20 models in the previous model year, including many from Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche, which are now sidelined from the diesel market altogether.

Later this year, BMW will join Jaguar, having received a green light from the EPA over the summer.

But for now, those are the only two automakers cleared to sell 2017 diesels, an agency spokesman said. Other automakers' plans remain in limbo as the EPA continues the rigorous diesel testing regime it implemented in response to VW's emissions violations, highlighting a lingering effect of the cheating scandal on the rest of the industry.

Since last October, the EPA has subjected diesels to a new battery of tests designed to root out the type of cheating uncovered at VW. To deter automakers from trying to game the tests, EPA officials have said little publicly about the enhanced testing, saying only that vehicles would be kept longer and tested in unpredictable ways.

"It is true that diesel vehicles are getting extra scrutiny and that has extended the certification process longer than normal," EPA spokes-man Nick Conger said. "In general, manufacturers have been supportive of this additional testing and have adjusted their timing to account for the additional test duration."

The new testing has uncovered no evidence of emissions manipulation thus far, but the effects have been felt throughout the industry, beginning with delayed launches last year of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon diesel pickups and the diesel 2016 BMW X5.

GM is now awaiting approval for the 2017 Colorado and Canyon, sources at the company said. GM, which also has a Cruze diesel due next year, says it's still building 2016 diesel pickups.

Jeep and Ram stores have gasoline-powered 2017 Grand Cherokees and Ram 1500s in stock, but no diesels, even though both models were offered with Fiat Chrysler's 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine for 2016 and press materials indicate the engines would be offered for 2017. An FCA spokesman declined to comment.

FCA's online inventory trackers show several thousand unsold 2016 EcoDiesel Ram 1500s available nationwide, as well as hundreds of the less popular Grand Cherokee diesels.

BMW delayed the start of production for its 2017 diesel 3-series sedan and X3 and X5 crossovers pending testing by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board, a BMW spokesman told Automotive News. The 3-series and X3 diesels are on track to arrive by year end and the X5 diesel arrives in January.

Mercedes-Benz is now stepping back from plans to field as many four diesel models in the U.S.: a C-class sedan as well as GLC, GLE and GLS utility vehicles.

"Numerous authorities are currently testing diesel engine vehicles for compliance with emission standards," Mercedes spokesman Robert Moran wrote in an email. "Of course, this process has a considerable impact on new diesel certification projects both in terms of effort and duration."

For now, Mercedes' priority is securing EPA certification for the V-6 diesel in the GLS350d, Moran wrote, declining to provide a launch date.

He also declined to say whether Mercedes still intends to offer diesel versions of the GLE or GLC in the U.S., as Mercedes executives had said would happen. It still sells the 2016 GLE300d in the U.S., but dealerhip supplies are dwindling.

But Moran confirmed that Mercedes has abandoned plans to offer a diesel C class next year in the U.S., citing "product strategy reasons." Even that timing represented a delay: the C300d was supposed to arrive the first quarter of this year.

Last edited by DUTCH VanAtlanta; 10-27-2016 at 04:27 AM.
Old 10-27-2016, 10:01 AM
  #2  
AudiWorld Senior Member
 
jetsfan101's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 866
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

it's a damn shame. I was looking at the e250 bluetec as a nice engine, yielding 45MPG and all
Old 10-27-2016, 06:26 PM
  #3  
AudiWorld Member
 
j4g3d's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 95
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Always baffles me as to why you yanks all drive gas guzzling petrol cars. What with the open roads and endless highways, you'd of thought one would like to save on fuel a bit more and drive a car that doesn't need to be serviced as often as a petrol.

If i moved over the pond i'd be bringing a diesel with me for sure.
Old 10-28-2016, 07:47 PM
  #4  
AudiWorld Super User
 
cuatrokoop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,479
Received 75 Likes on 67 Posts
Default

For one, you can't just bring a diesel with you (EPA/DOT regs), and we don't have endless highways and open roads. Go drive through at least six major metro areas in OH alone and you quickly loose the benefit of a diesel. A D/E hybrid make the most sense in that environment, but talk about expensive...
Old 10-29-2016, 02:34 AM
  #5  
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
DUTCH VanAtlanta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: USA, GA, Atlanta
Posts: 1,258
Received 19 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by cuatrokoop
For one, you can't just bring a diesel with you (EPA/DOT regs), and we don't have endless highways and open roads. Go drive through at least six major metro areas in OH alone and you quickly loose the benefit of a diesel. A D/E hybrid make the most sense in that environment, but talk about expensive...
Compared to Europe, we most certainly do have endless highways and open roads. Go west of the Mississippi some time.

My diesel Q7 has benefits over gassers in heavy Atlanta traffic. The common rail diesel engines are far superior to the gassers for both city and highway driving in my experience.
Old 10-29-2016, 09:09 PM
  #6  
AudiWorld Super User
 
cuatrokoop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,479
Received 75 Likes on 67 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by DUTCH VanAtlanta
Compared to Europe, we most certainly do have endless highways and open roads. Go west of the Mississippi some time.

My diesel Q7 has benefits over gassers in heavy Atlanta traffic. The common rail diesel engines are far superior to the gassers for both city and highway driving in my experience.
I've been west of Mississippi many times, even behind the wheel. Most of our collective driving is in cities, where diesel (CR or not) does not hold as large of an advantage over gasoline, or gasoline/electrics than it does during cruise. Heck, if I had the money I'd be driving a Tesla since my commute is a whopping 2.8mi each way. Cost per mile, city driving, it is very hard to make up the cost difference between gasoline, diesel and hybrid. Gasoline is almost always going to be the cheapest per mile due to the initial purchase price and the cost per gallon of fuel. Assuming you are comparing two otherwise identical models. It's been proven many times.
Old 10-30-2016, 11:16 AM
  #7  
AudiWorld Super User
 
J. Patterson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,689
Received 251 Likes on 211 Posts
Default

I find the TDI to be more efficient in traffic too with it's effortless low rpm torque. I also read that our commutes are getting longer and longer. Atlanta tops in typical commute distance
Our TDI has averaged 23.5 mpg over it's 100,000 miles (so far) It has been a good investment and has saved well over 1000 gallons of fuel compared to a gasoline Q7 over its five years of use. It is really hard to understand how this cannot be more environmentally friendly.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
anoop
A4 (B9 Platform) Discussion
6
12-29-2017 07:38 AM
DennisMitchell
Audi A3 / S3 / RS 3 MKII
7
02-12-2016 07:02 AM
scrmorling
Q5/SQ5 MKI (8R) Discussion
15
10-07-2015 12:37 PM
Silver Stealth
Q7 MK 1 Discussion
3
08-21-2006 01:47 PM
afretes
Canadian Discussion
12
02-23-2006 10:05 PM



Quick Reply: Diesel Future in the US



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:37 AM.