Honda: Diesel and more hybrids on the way

[Tideland Prius]

Honda has long been known as a car manufacturer that produces reliable, fun to drive and economical cars. Honda is not one to sit on its laurels and take the praise without planning ahead.

In an effort to continue to be a leader and hold the title of North America's most fuel-efficient car company, Honda has many plans for the near future.

In the immediate future, Honda will offer the next-generation fuel cell vehicle based on the FCX Concept. It will be available on a very limited basis in both the US and Japan beginning in 2008. Next, a new, more affordable hybrid car, slotted below the Civic Hybrid in girth and price, is planned for introduction in the US and Canada for 2009.

Truly interesting for Canada is the introduction of a new "clean" 4-cylinder diesel engine that meets US EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards. It is slated for launch in the US and Canada in the next few years. Last but not least, Honda has prepared more advanced and efficient versions of their famous i-VTEC and Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology, expected to be introduced by the end of the decade. The all-new 2008 Honda Accord V6 will feature the new VCM technology.

Honda was the first automaker to introduce Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) technology and Hybrid technology to Canada.

Source: Auto123.com

[NoMoShocks]

More good news. I cringed when I saw diesel in the title, becuase I HATE DIESEL pickup trucks, but then I read the part about meeting Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards and I think, If I can stand behind it running for 30 seconds without getting a headache, maybe it is OK.

I wonder if they can solve the warm startup difficulty that prompts diesel owners to leave their engines running in parking lots all the time.

[Tideland Prius]

Yeah but Bluetec diesels (with actual AdBlue stuff, not the 2007 Bluetec models we have now) will meet T2B5 standards with ULSD fuel.

[LaughingMan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 24 2007, 01:16 AM) [snapback]448835[/snapback]</div>

Yeah but Bluetec diesels (with actual AdBlue stuff, not the 2007 Bluetec models we have now) will meet T2B5 standards with ULSD fuel.
[/b]

They'll meet those standards with ULSD fuel, but they'll still be, at best, average among fuel burning cars in terms of emissions, especially NOx. They'll get their LEV II rating so they'll be sold in 50 states, but they certainly don't excel.

[SomervillePrius]

You're living in the 80s! Modern, direct injection diesels need no "warm up" time, they run just like normal cars but with better gas mileage and worse emissions.

And as laughingMan said LEV II is NOT an impressive standard, not even for diesels.

[Tideland Prius]

I thought T2B5 was ULEV?

[jhinton]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ May 23 2007, 11:51 PM) [snapback]448754[/snapback]</div>

More good news. I cringed when I saw diesel in the title, becuase I HATE DIESEL pickup trucks, but then I read the part about meeting Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards and I think, If I can stand behind it running for 30 seconds without getting a headache, maybe it is OK.

I wonder if they can solve the warm startup difficulty that prompts diesel owners to leave their engines running in parking lots all the time.
[/b]

Even my Tier 1 Diesel Jetta doesn't need to be left running and will start right up when the ambient temperature is below 0 F. I think diesel pickup owners run there engines because the semi drivers do and they want to be like the semi drivers. The semi drives do it to run their "hotel" loads.

[dipper]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ May 24 2007, 02:38 PM) [snapback]449374[/snapback]</div>

Even my Tier 1 Diesel Jetta doesn't need to be left running and will start right up when the ambient temperature is below 0 F. I think diesel pickup owners run there engines because the semi drivers do and they want to be like the semi drivers. The semi drives do it to run their "hotel" loads.
[/b]

Even the Semis are changing their practices. There are Semi stations that can service their AC and power need in these "Semi Hotels" for a few bucks. And those that cannot get to those hotels, have modified another diesel engine to power/cool/heat the cabin, so that the Semi could last a few 100k longer.

[Rae Vynn]

The problem is biodiesel.
Yup. The solution to the foreign oil problem IS a problem
Biodiesel is produced from, not waste cooking oil, or other wastes, or otherwise unusable grasses, but from things like palm oil, soybeans, and other oil-bearing crops.
The trouble is, they are importing these raw materials from tropical rainforest areas. They are SLASHING AND BURNING the rainforests to grow them!!

So, using biodiesel is supposed to reduce CO2, which is completely rendered moot by the destruction of rainforest.

So, how about the all-electric, solar-powered car, huh?

[dipper]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ May 24 2007, 04:03 PM) [snapback]449421[/snapback]</div>

The problem is biodiesel.
Yup. The solution to the foreign oil problem IS a problem
Biodiesel is produced from, not waste cooking oil, or other wastes, or otherwise unusable grasses, but from things like palm oil, soybeans, and other oil-bearing crops.
The trouble is, they are importing these raw materials from tropical rainforest areas. They are SLASHING AND BURNING the rainforests to grow them!!

So, using biodiesel is supposed to reduce CO2, which is completely rendered moot by the destruction of rainforest.

So, how about the all-electric, solar-powered car, huh?
[/b]

Sure, I want one too. Have you seen one for sale at your local car dealers?