Diesel

Presented as an amalgamation of the mini-van, station wagon and hatchback, Citroen's new C4 Picasso is 308 lb (140 kg) lighter than its predecessor, thanks to a variety of tricks like an aluminum hood, composite tailgate and other lightweight materials.  Read More

Given the popularity of CUVs (crossover utility vehicles) among consumers, it’s not surprising that this segment is popular ground for auto manufacturers developing concept vehicles. Subaru’s latest CUV concept, which it has dished up at this year’s Geneva Auto Show, is the Viziv. The company describes the Viziv – a name somehow derived from “Vision for Innovation” – as a crossover vehicle with a hybrid powertrain that gives a hint at Subaru’s future design direction and technologies.  Read More

Mitsubishi's Concept GR-HEV combination a sedan interior and comfort levels with a diesel-hybrid pickup truck based on what is quite possibly the exterior of the next generation Triton. The hybrid drivetrain is billed as a next generation drive system that combines the company's Super Select 4WD (SS4) and S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) systems, a 2.5L diesel engine and an electric motor of unspecified power to achieve CO2 emissions of 149 g/km.  Read More

British pilot Jeremy Rowsell is set to fly solo from Sydney to London in a Cessna 182 aircraft powered solely by diesel derived from "end-of-life" plastic (ELP) waste. If all goes to plan, the endeavor will set a new record time for the journey in a single-engine piston plane, and represent a compelling argument for the viability of ELP as a fuel source.  Read More

Back in 2009, before the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt were ready for market, the world heard loud, overinflated claims of "367" and "230" mpg ratings. Talk is cheap, and actual EPA testing sent those ratings rocketing right back down to Earth at 99 mpg-e and 60 mpg, respectively. Volkswagen is the latest to get in on the 200+ mpg game, claiming its XL1 will be capable of 261 mpg (European cycle). Thanks to a radical approach that slashes weight, optimizes aerodynamics and wrings every last drop of fuel, Volkswagen may actually make good - or at least get close.  Read More

Chevrolet will be rolling out a new diesel variant of its Chevrolet Cruze for the 2014 model year. The Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel will come with a 2.0l turbocharged engine, which delivers 148 hp (110.36 kW) and 258 lb-ft (347 Nm) of torque.  Read More

One difficult aspect of a greener lifestyle involves disposal of used cooking fats. Most people either pour it down the drain, where it can lurk for years while conspiring to clog your pipes, or pour it in the yard, where it attracts pests of various sorts looking for a free meal. Recycling is obviously a better option, and to this end the BioBot 20 tabletop diesel processor – a (relatively) simple chemical reactor for converting used kitchen oils into biodiesel fuel at home – has been introduced by UK-based company Biobot.  Read More

Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that it is continuing funding for a new diesel outboard engine for the Royal Navy’s rigid inflatable craft. Currently under development by Cox Powertrain, the prototype marine engine concept uses opposed pistons. It is part of a policy adopted by NATO countries for converting to heavy oil wherever possible, to simplify logistics and reduce the use of petrol at sea.  Read More

Honda apparently wants to show that good things come in small packages, so it's announced that it will be installing its 1.6-liter i-DTEC diesel engine in the 2013 Civic manufactured at the company’s facility in Swindon, U.K. Specifically designed for the European market, the 1.6-liter i-DTEC is the lightest in its class, yet puts out 120 PS (118 bhp) and 300 Nm (221 ft-lb) of torque.  Read More