Its hard not to daydream about diesel cars, with their great torque and excellent fuel economy, so here’s our top picks of cars that we’d love to see a diesel option for. Our criteria is simple, the automaker must have a diesel engine in use somewhere in its lineup or in an international version of the car. In other words, these are all very real possibilities.
BMW uses four diesel engines in its international 1 Series. Even the least powerful engine option from BMW’s lineup makes a stunning 190-lb-ft of torque. Imagine that in the hunkered down, small-wheelbase MINI Cooper, and MINI may have a fun to drive compact on its hands. There are even diesel models of the MINI sold overseas, which is even more of a tease. However, those diesels would be a little underpowered for North American buyers, which is why we’re looking to the new diesel engines from BMW.
As a compact, the MINI Cooper is made to save fuel. With a diesel powerplant, that objective can be accomplished easily. Pair that with MINI’s reputation for making a small car fun-to-drive, and a diesel powered MINI can be the next great thing.
General Motors has a solid history with diesels in its range of trucks and international vehicles.
The compact GMC Terrain would benefit from a diesel powerplant in a number of ways. For one, the car would get a much appreciated boost of torque. Using something like the diesel in the Korean Chevrolet Cruze (and the Korean Chevrolet Orlando) that puts out 161 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. This is just 21 horsepower less than the current four-cylinder Terrain, but almost 80 more lb-ft of torque, giving the Terrain a much more appropriate engine for off-roading. And while it’s hard to guess at fuel economy numbers, it would most likely offer digits that would exceed the current 22/32 mpg of the 4-cylinder while offering a tow rating more like the 3,500 lbs of the V6.
Big crossovers are great for family road-trips, but not in terms of fuel. The Dodge Journey could be the epic cross-country cruiser if it had the help of a diesel powerplant. The Chrysler group is no stranger to diesel, with the last generation of the Grand Cherokee having a fantastic diesel engine option, which has all but disappeared from the world of Jeep and Dodge.
Jeep is bringing back the diesel Grand Cherokee to the US, and of course, we’d suggest that engine find a home in the Journey as well. With a diesel, the Journey would add torque for better towing, and better range and fuel economy.
A little known formula is that when a diesel engine is added to an econobox, it can turn the car into a fun, torque-filled compact. It’s the formula that Volkswagen uses with its Golf and Jetta, and it’s the next step Mazda should take with the Mazda3. Mazda will be at an advantage here because the current Mazda3 is already fun to drive, and thanks to the company’s creed of cutting weight, it’s fuel-conscious. Rumors are already flying that along with a Mazda6 that’s getting a diesel stateside, the Mazda3 might be getting some diesel love too.
By adding the company’s SkyActiv-D diesel powerplant, the Mazda3 could get the performance chops usually reserved for the Mazdaspeed line of cars. The Skyactiv-D diesel in the international Mazda CX-5 makes 175 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Imagine that much rubber-burning torque in the tiny Mazda3 and it far too easy to get excited. Just to top it off, that much torque surpasses what is already in the powerful Mazdaspeed3 (310 lbs-ft vs 280 lbs-ft). Mazdaspeed-D anyone?
The ultimate crossover needs good fuel economy, solid off-roading credentials and a fun-to-drive car feel. In our most recent AutoGuide review we found the Subaru Forester to have a lively feel on the road with good handling and a solid engine. The Forester also felt right at home on gravel roads thanks to Subaru’s all-time AWD.
However, a major complaint of the Forester is its terrible fuel-economy. Even with the less powerful 2.0-liter gas engine, the Forester gets just 20/27 mpg city/highway. Subaru’s diesel engine is seen in the international Forester, where it’s more economical and more reliable, making it perfect for the rugged crossover. Hopefully it would also come with something other than the brand’s out-dated 4-speed automatic.
With the Chevrolet Cruze coming to the U.S. as a diesel in the near future, why not look to other compacts to get the on the diesel bandwagon. However, where the Cruze will get an impressive 2.0-liter turbo-diesel, Dodge can reach to the Italians for a 2.4-liter diesel powerplant. The five-cylinder diesel that lives in the Alfa Romeo Brera puts out 210-hp and 294 lb-ft. With Fiat owning Alfa Romeo and having a significant hand in Chrysler, this 2.4 diesel could easily make its way over to the Dart.
That much power and torque would give the Dart some serious adrenaline, something that Mopar fans have been pining for since the Dart name was revived.
With Audi winning back-to-back LeMans races in the R18 TDI Diesel powered race car, the company established that a diesel can be fast and economical. With the R8 supercar, Audi used a mantra of taking everything they learned at LeMans and putting it into a focused road-car. But why is it still running on gasoline, when Audi’s latest wins have come with the help of diesel?
The turbocharged V6 in the R18 makes 510-hp, which is a on par with the 5.2-liter V8 engine that currently lives in the R8. However it might be a little much to ask Audi to take a racing engine and put it in a road car. If Audi can manage to shoe-horn the 4.2L V8, or 6.0L V12 from the Q7 TDI, then maybe a diesel R8 could happen. The V8 diesel that Audi has makes a respectable 335-hp and a whopping 561 lb-ft of torque, while the V12 diesel makes a stunning 493-hp and a mind-blowing 738 lb-ft of torque. The R8 with a diesel engine would be the ultimate Audi flagship by using the company’s impressive Quattro all-wheel drive system, as well as the recognized TDI diesel powerplant.
Audi has showcased a R8 diesel concept, that looked simply brilliant, with a more aggressive front fascia, and a subtle rear spoiler. Just one question: why hasn’t it been made yet?