BMW And Mercedes Confirm That VW Has Pretty Much Screwed The Diesel Market In The US

There are certain questions that must be asked pretty much every time journalists get in the same room as senior auto-industry executives. Thanks to Volkswagen’s cheatin’ heart, the future of diesel passenger cars on both sides of the Atlantic is one of them.

After speaking to senior executives from both BMW and Mercedes-Benz at the Geneva auto show, it appears the divide is set to grow, with compression ignition having a long-term future in Europe but with prospects on our side of the Atlantic looking much less rosy.
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TheSteve - 3/20/2017 2:26:29 PM

+5 Boost

Article: "...Given the excellence of next-generation diesel engines like Mercedes-Benz’s new four-cylinder and BMW’s mighty 3.0-liter six, that’s a huge shame [that they won't be coming to North America]..."

I couldn't agree more. I'm on my first diesel (first AWD, first SUV) and I love that engine. I get much better fuel economy with my 3.0L diesel in a 2-ton AWD SUV than I did in my previous RWD subcompact car with a smaller displacement gasoline engine. I also get quicker acceleration, and a faster 0-60mph time if I hammer it (fuel economy be damned, in that case). While the VW/Audi/Porsche emissions scandal sucks big time, my diesel engine is marvelous.

atc98092 - 3/20/2017 4:42:43 PM

+4 Boost

Please, continue to bring diesels to us. I sold my Passat back, but only because the financial offer was too good to pass up. I basically drove the car for two years for free, and only 4 cents per mile for fuel. If BMW keeps a diesel X3 or X5 here, I'll look seriously at one. I'm also planning on giving the upcoming Mazda CX-5 diesel a close look. The Chevrolet Traverse will get a glance, but I think it might be a little under-powered for the size of the car.

MDarringer - 3/20/2017 7:36:41 PM

-6 Boost

Diesel is a dumb technology. The amount of complicated, expensive technology that diesel needs to (1) be a good environmental citizen and (2) palatable as an engine worth driving versus the relative simplicity of a hybrid that can match MPG and torque is ridiculous.

Priuses have been stunningly reliable and durable over nearly two decades of data and other hybrids are seeming to trend similarly. German diesels are insanely expensive to maintain and repair once the warranty runs out.

Good riddance to diesel.

TomM - 3/21/2017 3:23:02 PM

+3 Boost

1 - The amount of added technology to allow a diesel meet emissions standards is not that different to the gasoline engine - when you consider all of the different things - from EGR valves to computer managed fuel injection - that a gas engine requires today. That these things are different for a Diesel is what makes it obvious - but gas engines are just as complicated - requiring precise mixture control to allow a catalytic converter to work - among other things
2 - In Europe - the reason why a diesel can be a better buy than a hybrid revolves around the cost of the fuel - where diesel is really a lot less expensive than gas - so justifying a Hybrid - with its inherent complicated and expensive technologies - is hard to do based on a cost basis. And the cost of repairs of German Hybrids is just as high as their diesels too.
3 - DO you drive a Prius? - maybe you could give us a comparison of a Prius against a TVR - or even a relatively new Mazda Miata - and WHY YOU WOULD PREFER A PRIUS OVER A TVR EVERY TIME. I actually have a Hybrid company car - and while it does offer good mileage - I have had go carts that offered a better driving experience than the Ford Hybrid I have. THeir acceleration - if you can call it that - is terrible at best - they certainly have weird brake feel as well. However - I have driven a number of Diesel cars in Europe that compare favorably with their gas engine cousins - for drivability - and still got really good mileage on cheaper fuel.