Edmunds: Diesel Minivan Coming From Honda

[Perian]

Link: http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/.ee91977

Honda to launch diesel Odyssey & Acura MDX in US

There have been several rumors about new diesels coming from Honda recently, one being a V6 diesel for their larger vehicles. Now we get word that the Odyssey and MDX will get this engine by 2009.

Snippet: ‘‘We think Honda’s light trucks, such as the Odyssey and the MDX, will be more fuel efficient with diesels,’’ Mr Fukui said adding, “We don’t have any plans to put hybrid systems in light trucks, such as the Odyssey and MDX in the US.’’

Diesel engines will use less fuel than hybrid systems for light trucks driven longer distances, Fukui said. Honda is developing a V6 diesel engine, mainly for the US market. If diesel engines in light trucks prove popular, the company may also use them in cars.

[Perian]

As we have read here, GM is also working on at least two diesels for the U.S. market.

[gm_scott]

Originally Posted by Perian

As we have read here, GM is also working on at least two diesels for the U.S. market.

I would hope so, we have all been saying for some time now that GM should come out with some diesels. Lets just hope your news is correct.

[black93sts]

Yay! Finally one of the major auto makers is using diesel in the U.S. on normal vehicles!!!

Now, lets see GM bring some of those Vauxhall/Opel diesels over here!

[Bravada]

Actually, Honda already has a diesel-powered minivan.



Not that it has much to do with the article, I just thought of that when I saw the title of the thread.

[Aerodynamix]

I certainly hope the new GM diesels get to market first. I'd hate to see them make themselves look like they're just copying the Japanese...

And since when was the Odyssey a "light truck"?

[Tomko]

Originally Posted by black93sts

Yay! Finally one of the major auto makers is using diesel in the U.S. on normal vehicles!!!

Don't forget about VW's ubiquitous TDI.

[Tomko]

Originally Posted by Aerodynamix

And since when was the Odyssey a "light truck"?

If I understand correctly, mini vans are legally considered to be light trucks as opposed to passenger vehicles. As a result they are subject to different, and often less stringent, emissions, fuel economy and safety regulations.

[Tomko]

I wish Honda the best of luck with this diesel engine - and I think that they're going to need it. God knows that GM did a pretty effective job destroying wide-spread acceptance of compression ignition with it's 5.7 Litre Oldsmobile oil-burner. If there was ever a time for Honda to use its Midas touch, and for Car and Driver to re-write history, then this is it.

Brock Yates we hardly knew ye.

[SUPERBADD75]

hopefully GM precedes this launch with several of their own. obviously it would take a lot of work, but diesel versions of the Cobalt, Malibu, 1500 Silverado, Colorado, TrailBlazer, and Tahoe/Suburban would ultimately be fantastic. i don't expect any of this to happen, especially in the near future, but i believe that the public would accept modern diesels. they're quieter, peppier, don't stink, and offer better mileage in a time of ever rising fuel prices. not to mention the fact that biodiesel is another alternative that could not only save money, but help take away some of our dependance on foreign oil. i say bring us diesels!

[Neanderthal]

Richard Truett | | Automotive News / May 22, 2006 - 6:00 am
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Honda Motor Co. said last week that it will develop a four-cylinder diesel engine within three years that will run as clean as a gasoline engine.
Many automakers are racing to clean up their diesels to meet tightening emission standards. Honda's announcement was a bold statement, given the technological challenges.
CEO Takeo Fukui said Honda will offer two diesel engines in North America, a four-cylinder and a V-6. He said both will meet a U.S. emissions standard known as Tier 2 bin 5. He gave no timetable for the V-6.
The government in 2000 adopted tough new tailpipe emission rules known as Tier 2. The rules - designed to be applied to engines that run on gasoline, diesel or other fuels - are being phased in during the 2004-09 model years. Automakers can engineer for any of eight emission categories, called bins, as long as their fleets meet required averages.
Getting a diesel engine certified to a middle-of-the-pack category, such as bin 5, would be a daunting technological achievement.
Fukui didn't say how the new diesels would meet the standards. Diesels are plagued by high emissions of particulates and oxides of nitrogen.
Honda officials have said they will not follow DaimlerChrysler and other European automakers and use urea. One way to cut diesel emissions is by injecting urea, an organic compound similar to ammonia, into the exhaust.
That leaves two other ways: reducing emissions in the combustion chambers or cleaning up the exhaust with a particulate filter and a trap for oxides of nitrogen.
Automakers prefer reducing emissions in the engine. They are experimenting with high-pressure fuel-injection systems and with lower combustion temperatures achieved by recirculating exhaust gases.
The alternative - adding filters and traps in the exhaust system - hurts engine performance and is expensive.
Diesels are a tempting solution to high fuel costs for drivers and automakers. They deliver about 30 percent better fuel economy than a gasoline engine and are much less complex than hybrids, which use a gasoline engine along with one or more electric motors to power the wheels.
Honda is renowned for its engine expertise. In the mid 1970s, the company introduced the breakthrough CVCC, or controlled vortex combustion chamber, engine.
The CVCC engine enabled Honda to meet 1970 U.S. clean-air standards without using an expensive catalytic converter. Clearly, Honda would like a replay of its CVCC triumph with diesels.

Sorry I couldn't copy the link. This was in the most recent Automotive News.
This is good news for diesels. Honda historically has had little use for diesels, and they have said so repeatedly. Diesels are pretty much anathema to the high-revving, HP-up-high, limited-torque Honda motors.
The fact that they say they WILL HAVE one by 2009 tells me they see the future and it ain't hybrid. This will be interesting. If anyone has the ability to do this it's Honda. Hope GM stays in the chase, this is one ball game they can't blow.

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by Tomko

If I understand correctly, mini vans are legally considered to be light trucks as opposed to passenger vehicles. As a result they are subject to different, and often less stringent, emissions, fuel economy and safety regulations.

You are very correct Tomko. Even though mini vans are used like, act like, cost like cars.

[Mikkoo]

Originally Posted by SUPERBADD75

hopefully GM precedes this launch with several of their own. obviously it would take a lot of work, but diesel versions of the Cobalt, Malibu, 1500 Silverado, Colorado, TrailBlazer, and Tahoe/Suburban would ultimately be fantastic. i don't expect any of this to happen, especially in the near future, but i believe that the public would accept modern diesels. they're quieter, peppier, don't stink, and offer better mileage in a time of ever rising fuel prices. not to mention the fact that biodiesel is another alternative that could not only save money, but help take away some of our dependance on foreign oil. i say bring us diesels!

I do agree with all your points, but it's the masses that have to be convinced.
There still is a public acceptance an perception problem with diesels in the USA. A big campaign to change perception would have to be done before they could go mainstream.

[motorman]

they will have trouble getting women to go to the diesel pump at filling stations because they are a mess. diesel fuel all over the ground,oil dry,the smell and you need to put on gloves to handle the pump nozzle or you hands will smell for a long time. diesel engines will bring back station attendents to fill your tank. even if diesel engines get better milage the fuel cost more requires more filter changes and without a heater in the fuel tank you will have very hard starting in very cold climates.

[asim]

Maybe the US will accept diesel now.