2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD General Motors line of diesel-powered heavy duty trucks are billed as workhorses, able to haul tens of thousands of pounds with impunity. Endless wells of hairy-chested torque from a 6.6-litre Duramax gets things rolling in a hurry.However, a class action lawsuit filed this week in Detroit seeks to put the brakes on certain models of GMs heavy-hauler, reports the Detroit News.Plaintiffs allege problems with the powertrains high-pressure fuel pumps, units manufactured by Bosch and installed in Duramax-equipped trucks from the 2011 to 2016 model years. According to the suit, the pump introduced metal shavings into the fuel injection system, leading to catastrophic and expensive damage.GM and Bosch declined to offer the Detroit News comment.At the root of this issue, say the complainants, is the composition of American diesel fuel. They claim it to be thinner than European diesel, a trait that allows for less lubrication and eventual degradation of the Bosch pumps. Plaintiffs in the suit say once this happens, debris finds its way into the engine.Lets examine this claim. As we all learned in Gearhead 101, modern diesel fuel is ignited under compression without a spark. A key indicator of diesel fuel quality is its cetane number, a measure of the fuels ignition speed that is, how long it takes to go bang! under compression. A higher cetane number indicates the fuel ignites more readily when sprayed into hot compressed air, such as the environs of an engine cylinder.Generally, diesel in Europe has a cetane rating of approximately 51, while the stuff on this side of the pond is generally rated around 45, except for a few areas in which a minimum of 48 is mandated (not to mention California, whose diesel fuel has a cetane rating of 53).For about the last ten years, all the American highway diesel fuel has been classified as Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD), a blend which lowered the measured sulphur content to less than 15ppm. This, the suit claims, is the root of the problem. The fuel pump used in the trucks in question, a Bosch CP4, was introduced in 2011. Plaintiffs claim it was designed for the European market and didnt play well when swilling American ULSD. This may be so, but it would behoove the smart lawyer to also note that the Duramax engines in question are not fitted with a lift pump. This is a bit of tech that takes some of the workload off the main pump the Bosch CP4, in this case.Without a lift pump, a low-pressure unit which pulls the fuel first, the CP4 is under constant suction and tasked with two jobs, drawing fuel and pressurizing it. This situation may introduce air bubbles into the mix since the pump is located waaaay up in the engine bay, a long distance from the fuel tank. The presence of air means the absence of liquid, and could help explain the production of metal shavings, which are claimed to be causing the expensive damage mentioned in this lawsuit.Regardless of the reason for the fuel pumps alleged degradation diesel quality or being overworked well be keeping an eye on this case as it works its way through the
Origin: Lawsuit claims GM trucks don’t run properly on American diesel
diesel
Nissan killing off optional diesel engine for Titan XD
2017 Nissan Titan XD Nissan is killing off the Titans oil-burner in favour of a dramatically refreshed, next-generation gasoline-powered truck.At the end of the year, Nissan will stop selling Titan XD models with the 5.0-litre Cummins diesel engine. The engine made 310 horsepower and 555 lb.-ft. of torque, which was good enough for a maximum towing capacity of 12,830 pounds. The engine was marketed at buyers looking to switch from a half-ton to a three-quarter ton truck, or vice-versa. Now, diesel-powered trucks like the Ram HD produce over 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque.Production of the Titan XD Diesel will end in December 2019, Jennifer McCarthy, Nissan Canadas product communications manager, wrote in an email. This will help better position Nissan in the long term as we prepare for the launch of the new, dramatically refreshed 2020 Titan and Titan XD Gas later this year.Poor sales was another factor contributing to Nissans decision to axe the diesel. In the U.S., just 2,242 Titans left dealers last month, both diesel and gas-powered. For reference, Ford sells about that many F-150s per day.Apparently, Nissan knows what people want in a new truck and will offer it in the revised Titan, but theres no word on when or where it will be revealed, but we imagine itll be at a major event like the State Fair of Texas, as thats a fitting venue before autoshow season kicks off in the
Origin: Nissan killing off optional diesel engine for Titan XD
2020 GMC Sierra, Silverado 1500 diesel tops segment in highway fuel economy ratings
2020 Chevrolet Silverado Diesel In the never-ending Detroit truck wars, manufacturers are looking for any and all advantages with which to beat their competition over the head like a coked-up wrestler towing, payload ratings, and most recently, fuel economy.For 2020, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra duo are available with a snazzy new 3.0-litre inline-six diesel engine lashed to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This option allows the truck to cut back on its drinking, with the EPA awarding the powertrain an estimated 7.1 L/100 kilometres (33 miles per gallon) highway fuel economy for rear-wheel drive models. If youre keeping track at home, the other two diesel-powered pickups in the half-ton segment the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 are rated at 30 and 27 mpg on the highway cycle, respectively. In a market where manufacturers go to great lengths to eke out a single mpg over their rival, GMs accomplishment is remarkable.With 277 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque on tap, the 3.0L Duramax is the first diesel engine offered in a GM half-ton since 1997. It has an aluminium block, active thermal management to heat critical components more quickly, and an automatic start/stop system. Working in concert with the 10-speed automatic, this power team is one of six in the lineup for 2020. Truck fans of the brand are spoiled for choice. Having sampled the Silverady 1500 Duramax about a month ago, we came away impressed with its drivetrain, providing plenty of shove without clattering like the diesels of old. In terms of price, expect to pay roughly the same premium for the Duramax as one would for the 6.2L V8 in comparison to the 5.3L V8.To be clear, the press bumf specifies the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado as receiving this plaudit, but theres no reason to imagine its GMC twin wont earn the same rating. City economy is pegged at 10.2 L/100 kilometres, or 23 mpg. Models with 44 drivelines are rated at 29 mpg highway and 23 city.While the Silverado outsells the Sierra by a wide margin in the U.S., the Sierra actually outsold the Silverado in Canada last year by about 1,000 units. Expect these Duramax half-tons to show up on dealer lots later this
Origin: 2020 GMC Sierra, Silverado 1500 diesel tops segment in highway fuel economy ratings
Audi SQ7 revamped with 429bhp V8 diesel power
Audi has launched an updated version of the range-topping SQ7 SUV, featuring a 429bhp turbocharged V8 diesel engine. The seven-seat Range Rover Sport rival, which will go on sale in the UK next month, features the recent facelift seen on the rest of the Q7 range, with the addition of several S-specific details. They include a revamped grille, aluminium mirror details, quad chrome exhaust pipes and 21-inch cast aluminium wheels. The 4.0-litre biturbo V8 diesel engine is the same featured in the recently revealed SQ8, and offers 664lb ft of torque, a 0-62mph time of 4.8secs and a limited top speed of 155mph. As in the SQ8, the diesel engine is boosted by a 48-volt mild hybrid Electrically Powered Compressor (EPC) that aids the two turbochargers, improving torque under acceleration at low speeds. The powertrain of the sport SUV is driven through an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, and the SUV features Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system. Adaptive sport air suspension is fitted as standard, while the SQ7 also features progressive steering to improve handling. There are 400mm brake discs at the front, with 370mm discs at the rear. The callipers are finished in black, although they are optionally available in red. The interior of the SQ7 features bespoke leather sports seats with integrated head restraints, and Audi’s MMI navigation plus system. The SQ7 will be offered in a Vorsprung edition, which adds all-wheel steering to further boost handling. It also features 22-inch wheels, and seats fitted with climate control and a massage function. The SQ7 will go on sale in the UK in August, with prices expected to start from around
Origin: Audi SQ7 revamped with 429bhp V8 diesel power
GM trashes the Equinox and Terrain diesel engines for 2020
2018 Chevrolet Equinox Premier Diesel AWD Thanks to the misdeeds of a few automakers, diesel-powered engines are currently enjoying the popularity of toothpaste-flavoured ice cream.This excepts large-and-in-charge pickup trucks, of course, as prodigious oil-burning torque remains the choice for getting work done. In the mainstream, however, its definitely fading from public consciousness.Chalk up another cancellation to market demand, then, as Chevy will not be renewing the diesel engine option in the Equinox crossover for the 2020 model year.Gearheads over at The Car Connection were told by Chevy spox earlier this week that the engine wont return thanks to poor demand.A quick check of the Canadian fleet order guide for General Motors confirms this decision will carry over to this country as well. In addition to binning the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel for 2020, the trim levels of 3LT and 3LZ will also vanish.The usual colour-naming dance is also being performed, with some shades like Orange Burst being swapped out for the likes of Cayenne Orange. A fresh Midnight Edition murders out all the chrome, while content that was once part of a Driver Confidence Plus package is now standard equipment.In case youre wondering, the GMC sales staff across the showroom also have one less diesel engine in their catalog. The 2020 fleet guide spells out deletions for the GMC Terrain, erasures which include the turbo-diesel. Minor trim and equipment changes are also on tap for the upcoming model year. These changes are reflected on the American fleet guide as well.The diesel was available in these crossovers for a couple of years, producing only 137 horsepower but a healthy 240 lb.-ft. of torque. It was paired with a six-speed automatic, a box which possibly explains its relatively meh real-world fuel economy, even though Chevy advertises an efficiency of 6.0 L/100 km on its Canadian
Origin: GM trashes the Equinox and Terrain diesel engines for 2020
New Land Rover Defender to come in three body styles — and maybe a diesel
Any change to the Land Rover Defender generally sends purists into a frothing rage or, at the very least, has them tut-tutting into their afternoon tea.The forthcoming Defender, expected to launch some time within the next calendar year, is set to bring some of the biggest changes the nameplate has ever seen, starting with a new 130 model.According to a report from Automotive News, the next Defender will be offered in three models: the traditional 90 and 110 variants, plus a new 130 model.The 90 will allegedly be a three-door model with seating for up to five, while the five-door 110 will enjoy a longer wheelbase and accept five, six or seven passengers depending on spec.The big surprise is the revelation of a 130 model. This rig will apparently offer seating for eight adventure-seeking people, putting it up against other big SUVs like the Lexus LX and Lincoln Navigator. Those same rumours peg this XL-sized Defender at just over 200 inches in length, about the same as the big Lexus.A source also told the European publication that customers should expect four trims at launch: Country, Adventure, Urban and Explorer. Given this myriad of body lengths and trim options, plus the inevitable accessory catalog, Land Rover is playing a smart game of broadening the new Defenders appeal and maximizing their profits.Fun fact: JLRs total sales in America outstripped that of Europe and the U.K. by about 10,000 and 20,000 units, respectively, in the last financial year. Offering the Defender in jumbo size, then, makes a lot of sense. Another big rumour? A least one of the diesel engines on offer will make it to this side of the pond. If it shows up, itll be a tasty 300-hp straight-six scooting to 100 km/h from zero in about 7.5 seconds.The next-gen Defender will be unveiled in September at the Frankfurt auto show. The three-door 90 and five-door 110 models are expected to go on sale next year, followed by the gonzo-sized 130 about twelve months
Origin: New Land Rover Defender to come in three body styles — and maybe a diesel
Audi accused of using four defeat devices in V6 diesel
The German transport ministry has identified up to four different emission defeat devices in software code used by Audi’s V6 diesel engine, according to separate reports published by Germany’s Bayerischen Rundfunk and Handelsblatt. The various defeat devices are claimed to have been developed by Audi to provide models fitted with its turbocharged 3.0-litre engine with lower emission readings during government mandated tests on rolling roads under controlled conditions than actual results on public roads. The various defeat devices are said to have been used in vehicles produced up to the beginning of 2018, more than two years after US authorities made public findings that Audi parent company, Volkswagen, had used similar illegal software functions in various diesel models. The German transport ministry issued Audi with a forced recall of various models fitted with the V6 diesel engine in January 2019, confirming up to 200,000 vehicles in Germany were suspected of using an illegal software function the German car maker labelled as a “Motoraufwärmfunktion” or engine warm-up function. This so-called Motoraufwärmfunktion is, in fact, a secret defeat device used to manipulate emission results, say representatives of the German transport ministry. Models from Volkswagen and Porsche were also affected. Information in an addendum to the German transport ministry report obtained by Bayerischen Rundfunk and Handelsblatt identifies a further three defeat devices. Three additional defeat devices were not deemed illegal despite the report suggesting they facilitated functions leading to emission manipulation. In the report, the various defeat devices are listed as A, B, C and D, according to Bayerischen Rundfunk and Handelsblatt. However, the German transport ministry states only one can be identified as being illegal, suggesting Audi was free to voluntarily remove the other three functions from its software code as part of the recall announced earlier this year. Both Bayerischen Rundfunk and Handelsblatt report it is apparent from the report that the German transport ministry did not undertake testing leading to the discovery of the defeat devices but relied upon information provided by
Origin: Audi accused of using four defeat devices in V6 diesel
Audi used four defeat devices in V6 diesel
The German transport ministry has identified up to four different emission defeat devices in software code used by Audi’s V6 diesel engine, according to separate reports published by Germany’s Bayerischen Rundfunk and Handelsblatt. The various defeat devices are claimed to have been developed by Audi to provide models fitted with its turbocharged 3.0-litre engine with lower emission readings during government mandated tests on rolling roads under controlled conditions than actual results on public roads. The various defeat devices are said to have been used in vehicles produced up to the beginning of 2018, over two years after US authorities made public findings that Audi parent company, Volkswagen, had used similar illegal software functions in various diesel models. The German transport ministry issued Audi with a forced recall of various models fitted with the V6 diesel engine in January 2019, confirming up to 200,000 vehicles in Germany were suspected of using an illegal software function the German car maker labelled as a “Motoraufwärmfunktion” or engine warm-up function. This so-called Motoraufwärmfunktion is, in fact, a secret defeat device used to manipulate emission results, say representatives of the German transport ministry. Models from Volkswagen and Porsche were also affected. Information in an addendum to the German transport ministry report obtained by Bayerischen Rundfunk and Handelsblatt identifies a further three defeat devices. Three additional defeat devices were not deemed illegal despite the report suggesting they facilitated functions leading to emission manipulation. In the report, the various defeat devices are listed as A, B, C and D, according to Bayerischen Rundfunk and Handelsblatt. However, the German transport ministry states only one can be identified as being illegal, suggesting Audi was free to voluntarily remove the other three functions from its software code as part of the recall announced earlier this year. Both Bayerischen Rundfunk and Handelsblatt report it is apparent from the report that the German transport ministry did not undertake testing leading to the discovery of the defeat devices but relied upon information provided by
Origin: Audi used four defeat devices in V6 diesel
BMW expects to build diesel engines for another 20 years
Diesel power, in the guise of the new 2014 328d, returns to BMWs 3 Series lineup. BMW may be heavily investing in electric vehicles, but it expects to continue building petroleum-fueled engines, with diesel lasting at least 20 years and gasoline another decade after that.Speaking with Automotive News Europe, Klaus Frhlich, BMW Group board member of development, said even with battery-electric and plug-in hybrids, he expects at least 80 per cent of the companys vehicles will still have an internal combustion engine by 2025.A best assumption would be just 30 per cent electrified sales by 2025, Frhlich added.We see areas without a recharging infrastructure, such as Russia, the Middle East, and the western internal part of China, so they will rely on gasoline engines for another 10 to 15 years, Frhlich told the magazine. He said the coastal part of China, and cities like Beijing and Shanghai, will be battery-electric in about ten years, while Europe is more likely to embrace plug-in hybrids. In the U.S., he expects battery-electrics to sell mainly on the west coast and in parts of the east coast, but they will not become mainstream vehicles. In order to create emissions credits for environmental regulations, the company will most likely offer sportier, more powerful BMW M plug-in hybrids to American (and no doubt Canadian) customers.Frhlich told Automotive News Europe that the shift to electrification is overhyped, and that battery-electric vehicles cost more in terms of raw materials for batteries. This will continue and could eventually worsen, as demand for these raw materials increases.BMW will abandon a 1.5-L three-cylinder diesel it sells in Europe because its too costly to engineer it to comply with tightening emissions standards. Frhlich also said the company wont design a successor to the six-cylinder, 400-horsepower diesel in the 750d, since its too pricey and complicated to build due to its four turbochargers.The automaker will continue to engineer four- and six-cylinder diesels, but with no more than three turbochargers. Its working on a business case to continue its eight-cylinder gasoline engines, but will eventually drop its V12, which only sells about 5,000 copies per year globally including at Rolls-Royce and which has to be regularly updated to meet new emissions standards, especially in
Origin: BMW expects to build diesel engines for another 20 years
Analysis: Why new car buyers are ditching diesel for hybrids and EVs
It’s hard to believe that just two years ago, almost half of the new cars sold in the UK were diesel. In May 2017, in the first of a series of powertrain studies done for Autocar, market research firm Simpson Carpenter forecast that within three years diesel sales would fall to 23% of the total new car market – a prediction that was met with some scepticism at the time. But now, two years on, diesel sales in the first quarter of 2019 have fallen to just 27% of the new car market. So far, the main beneficiary has been petrol. While buyers expressed an intent to buy hybrid or electric, the relative shortage of available models has limited alternatively fuelled vehicles to just 6% of new car sales. Simpson Carpenter’s most recent research for Autocar suggests the move away from diesel will continue, with just 18% of car buyers – new and used – now expecting their next car to be diesel. The main shift from diesel is in the new car market, where the proportion of people intending to buy diesel next time is down from 23% in 2017 to just 14%. During the same period, the number of new car buyers expecting to buy a hybrid or electric car has risen from fewer than one in four to more than one in three – growth likely to continue as the choice of models increases. Even in the used car market, diesel’s popularity continues to wane. Only 21% now intend to buy a diesel next time – just 2% more than those who say they’ll opt for a hybrid or electric car. The very small number of used hybrids and electric cars on the market means a big imbalance between supply and demand for different powertrains. However, petrol car sales are likely to remain healthy for some time. Although one in five of those with petrol-engined cars say they will defect to hybrid or electric next time round, these losses will be largely mitigated by almost one in three diesel owners who plan to switch to petrol. Another nail in diesel’s coffin is the increase in the numbers of current owners who reject the fuel outright. One in five diesel owners now reject the fuel and will no longer even consider it for their next car. These gradually increasing levels of rejection continue to be driven by two core concerns: the environmental effects of diesel and concern over future resale values of diesel cars. The only area in which diesel seems likely to retain a significant foothold is with larger cars. Among owners with cars that have engines of 2.0 litres or more, over half will consider diesel next time, with more than a third picking it as the engine type they’re most likely to buy. Conversely, there seems to be no future for diesel among smaller cars. Why are car buyers turning their back on diesel?
Origin: Analysis: Why new car buyers are ditching diesel for hybrids and EVs
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