Hey guys,
Got some info on this subject. Diesel engines produce a lot of emissions. Volkswagen currently offers a Jetta, golf, and a wagon in turbo diesel. Unfortunately they do not meet California emissions and cant be sold in California. However you can get them everywhere else in the country. Diesels have come a long way, I have a 1999 Ford diesel and I love it. Great power and good mileage for a 3/4 ton truck. In 2003 Ford had to redesign their diesel engine for emission purposes only. It went from a 7.3 liter to a 6.0. I got a magazine from ASE the other day, and they were talking about the huge diesel boom they are expecting. In late 2006, early 2007 service stations will start carrying "low sulfur diesel", that is suppose to drastically reduce emissions. With the new diesel and some very impressive high tech injection systems being tested right now, they believe most manufacturers will start selling there diesel cars in the US. All manufacturers are heavy into diesel vehicle in other countries, mainly because they don't have our strict emissions. Even Toyota produces a lot of diesel vehicles in other countries. So maybe soon we will get some diesel power coming our way.
To be very honest being in the industry and working on hybrid vehicles, I don't understand why we are playing around with hybrids that aren't hybrid/diesels. Except for maybe the new Lexus GS450H. Got to test ride one of these at school a month ago and holy sh*t. Even I was impressed. Lexus is using the technology for Horsepower and not fuel economy. When its released it will be the fastest production Lexus on the planet, a least until the new LS460H comes out in a year or so.
