Cars using it are few and far between in the U.S. — is that about to change?

On Oct. 9, Mercedes-Benz announced it would start selling the E320 in the U.S. and Canada. The BlueTec engine, which requires the new, cleaner fuel, is a breakthrough for diesel fans — or people who just like cool technology. The company says BlueTec makes for the world's cleanest diesel cars, thanks to a sophisticated engine design and a special exhaust treatment system. And while other diesels scramble to keep up with increasingly stringent emission requirements, BlueTec meets today's standards and anticipates stricter regulations in the future.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15319803/

Sounds good. The more choices the better. Maybe some day we'll have a diesel Hybrid as well.

 

Does it use urea?

 

I still feel that urea will hinder diesel's popularity.

 

I'd say that depends on the cost and how many miles you can go between fill ups. $20 and every 5000 miles would be no big deal. $20 every 500 would be.

 

Most of the diesel OEMs are planning that the urea capacity be sufficient to last for at least an oil drain interval.

 

Is the half-ton Chevy diesel pickup still in the works?

 

2009 or 2010 MY

4.5L V8?

 

I think the diesel 1/2 ton should come out early 08.... Can't let Ford get a jump on that market.

 

Honda's new passenger car Diesel meets the newest emissions standards and does not use urea. I don't know the details however.

 

Denso stated at SAE Convergence that SCR ("urea") makes more sense for larger diesels, while NOx traps are more cost-effective for smaller engines. This is due to the fixed cost of the urea injection system vs. the variable cost of the precious metals and alkali reaction surface used in NOx traps; as engine size (and thus emissions) increase, the cost of the trap exceeds that of the SCR system. There is also an issue with sulfur absorption with traps, so fuel quality comes into play.