Honda Accord, Ridgeline to receive diesel power [1.5.7]

[T Mac]

While Honda has previously announced plans to bring diesel engines to the U.S. market by 2009, it hadn't yet said what vehicles the engines would power.

Now we know, at least according to a report in Winding Road. Citing Japanese press sources, Honda's president apparently has announced a V-6 diesel engine will be available for the Honda Ridgeline and a four-cylinder version will see duty in the next generation Honda Accord.

Click here to read the entire story on Motor Trend

[Fastang]

I have mixed feelings about diesel in a Ridgeline.
Isn't Honda's target customer a 41 year old father of 2
who goes to Home Depot on saturday,
and tows his boat to the lake on Sunday?
A diesel won't increase my towing capacity. Will it?
More torque... yes
More horsepower? I dont know...
Whats diesel cost a gallon? I dont know.
Will a diesel make the Ridgline faster?
That'd be cool.
Do diesels have longer engine life?
I have heard they do...
but so does all of Honda's engines.
I'm sure there are good arguments on both sides.
Convince me I need a diesel

[jhedges]

I agree. To me there are more negatives about diesel then positive.

Loud
they smell
more $$
somewhat limited where you can purchase diesel fuel
very cold natured

I'm curious what the benefits of a diesel in a Ridge would be also.

[geotech]

Diesel?
As an option, outstanding!
As the only choice, awful!

[spdrcr5]

Diesels should increase the towing capacity because most truck diesels will have much higher torque than their gasoline counterparts. Diesel will also get better gas mileage and depending on gearing and HP/TQ figures could be faster than the gasoline variant.

As for the smell, noise, etc., that is old school technology from the 1970's. Modern diesels are as quiet if not even quieter than modern gasoline engines. They pollute less, don't smoke, don't smell, etc.

[Chilly]

Originally Posted by spdrcr5

Diesels should increase the towing capacity because most truck diesels will have much higher torque than their gasoline counterparts. Diesel will also get better gas mileage and depending on gearing and HP/TQ figures could be faster than the gasoline variant.

As for the smell, noise, etc., that is old school technology from the 1970's. Modern diesels are as quiet if not even quieter than modern gasoline engines. They pollute less, don't smoke, don't smell, etc.

So what is the downside? Are the engines more expensive to build? Is diesel fuel more expensive from a MPG standpoint? Why don't we see more diesels out there?

[spdrcr5]

Originally Posted by Chilly

So what is the downside? Are the engines more expensive to build? Is diesel fuel more expensive from a MPG standpoint? Why don't we see more diesels out there?

There was a new formulation for diesel that the Fed Govt just enacted. Most diesels didn't meet this requirement and couldn't run on the newer formulation of diesel. Only VW had an engine that was able to run on it. Everyone else pulled their diesels and were waiting for the final formula/requirements to be given out before reworking the engines/computers to handle it properly. That is why there are so many companies getting into the Diesel biz now... lots of upside.

Diesel engines have the potential to produce more power and better mpg... look at Audi and their latest R8R LeMans winning race car... it is Diesel powered! Long haul trucks all use diesel for the MPG and power benefits, but many of those are old school technology which will be replaced soon enough.

Head over to the EOC and see how many people there are clamoring for the Diesel from the UK CR-V to be put into the Element.

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by Chilly

So what is the downside? Are the engines more expensive to build? Is diesel fuel more expensive from a MPG standpoint? Why don't we see more diesels out there?

Back in the 70's during the gas cruch, diesel engined cars were pushed into the US publics eye (Mercedes, VW, and GM to name a few). The problems with them then were that the engines clattered and spewed smoke. Not to mention that the diesel fuel stunk to high heaven. The plus side was the milage was typically better that gas engine cars of the same type and diesel was much cheaper than gasoline.

Fast forward to today; Diesel is much more expensive that 87 octane gasoline. The diesel engine cars performace isn't that great because the engines used in them are small displacement engines making good torque but so so horsepower. And people either remember the 70's or the ones who do tell them that diesle's are... See first paragraph.

With that said, modern diesel engines used in cars today are very quiet, get very good milage (Comparable to Hybrids and maybe even better). The fuel still stinks and it's a good idea to wear a plastic glove when filling the tank. And the price of diesel is still quite a bit higher that regular (87 Octane) gasoline.

[jhedges]

I won't be in the diesel line that's for sure. Nothing the like the smell of diesel on your hands as your driving down the road searching for a gas station that sells high priced diesel. LOL

Put a turbo on the 6 cylinder with dual exhaust and a sport package and be done with it.

[fredridge]

As long as it is a turbo diesel I will be in line. The new diesel should be much cleaner and they will get better gas mileage and provide more power, with the ability to tune them to higher numbers.

Down side, diesels are typically more expensive to produce, can still be really loud with exhausts and such, but so can an accord.

I read an article a couple months back about MBZ working on a twin and triple diesel in a couple of their high end cars and the author was amazed at how quiet they were and how fast they were. I don't remember if he saw a downside.