VooDooXII
10-26-2007, 02:51 PM
Honda has officially announced that it will add a diesel option to the U.S. Accord (http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-to-offer-diesel-option-for-2009-accord.html#) range for 2009. Earlier reports (http://www.leftlanenews.com/new-fit-for-honda-this-fall-diesel-in-09.html) indicated that Honda would offer diesel power for 2009, although it was unclear which model or models would receive the option. The diesel engine will be the same 2.2L unit found in the European Accord.
Output is expected to be in the 150 horsepower 260 ft-lb of torque range, although actual production figures could be higher. It has been reported that Honda engineers are working on a higher-output version of the same engine for a diesel Civic Type-R (http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-to-produce-diesel-powered-civic-type-r.html) — rated at 180 horsepower and 315 ft-lb of torque — so ratings could improve, although probably not to the same level as the Civic Type-R.
The engine uses a NOx converter to achieve certification in all 50 states and Honda engineers claim the technology can be applied to bigger engines, such as a V6, without adding urea injection. Volkswagen (http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-to-offer-diesel-option-for-2009-accord.html#) uses a similar NOx converter on smaller diesel engines but has to inject urea into the exhaust when the engine is applied to its larger vehicles to make it 50-state compliant.
Honda's claim that its diesel engine technology can be applied to larger vehicles indicates a diesel-powered Pilot could be on the way.
Good to see more diesels coming on the market. To me, as a fuel saving option...it makes more sense than hybrids. Of course, there are small-car alternatives like the Yaris, but some people may want more space than a car like that has to offer. *Waits for Ran*
I like diesel engines though...they've got character, but few people really get off on it. There's a very small market for them here, and most of them are too expensive (Mercedes' CDI vehicles and Volkswagen's TDI vehicles), but if a trusted everyman's company like Honda starts adding more and more of these engines to their lineup, maybe people will see the light and give them another chance.
I think diesel engines have come a long way and that they're an excellent fuel-saving alternative.
Output is expected to be in the 150 horsepower 260 ft-lb of torque range, although actual production figures could be higher. It has been reported that Honda engineers are working on a higher-output version of the same engine for a diesel Civic Type-R (http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-to-produce-diesel-powered-civic-type-r.html) — rated at 180 horsepower and 315 ft-lb of torque — so ratings could improve, although probably not to the same level as the Civic Type-R.
The engine uses a NOx converter to achieve certification in all 50 states and Honda engineers claim the technology can be applied to bigger engines, such as a V6, without adding urea injection. Volkswagen (http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-to-offer-diesel-option-for-2009-accord.html#) uses a similar NOx converter on smaller diesel engines but has to inject urea into the exhaust when the engine is applied to its larger vehicles to make it 50-state compliant.
Honda's claim that its diesel engine technology can be applied to larger vehicles indicates a diesel-powered Pilot could be on the way.
Good to see more diesels coming on the market. To me, as a fuel saving option...it makes more sense than hybrids. Of course, there are small-car alternatives like the Yaris, but some people may want more space than a car like that has to offer. *Waits for Ran*
I like diesel engines though...they've got character, but few people really get off on it. There's a very small market for them here, and most of them are too expensive (Mercedes' CDI vehicles and Volkswagen's TDI vehicles), but if a trusted everyman's company like Honda starts adding more and more of these engines to their lineup, maybe people will see the light and give them another chance.
I think diesel engines have come a long way and that they're an excellent fuel-saving alternative.