If the Patriot were to recieve a Diesel would it not be the same as the one going into the Compass/Caliber which is a VW Diesel.

Numbers
2.0 VW diesel (stick) 140 @ 4,000 rpm n/a 30/46 229 @ 2,500 310 N . M

Source:
http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/caliber.html

Some Nice MPG there. 30/46

Do we have any sources for a Diesel at all going into a Patriot?

hmmmm..... if the Compass is getting a diesel, how different is the engine compartment between that and the Patriot? Is a swap (without a bottomless wallet) realistic?

I dont think a swap is an option...I know the 2.o L diesel is an option engine outside north america...but i have heard people in a couple posts say they are waiting for a diesel in a patriot....could be a long wait!! Unless they do a swap.

does anyone know for sure that a diesel patriot is coming in 2008?

I will wait for the diesel option. I guess is the trend to more efficient fuel consumption rather than the gas-electic motors.

A diesel swap from a Compass/Caliber to a Patriot should be possible but would likely be cost prohibitive. First you would have to either find a wrecked Compass/Caliber with a diesel or get a create motor. Good luck. The biggest problem is availablity. The reality is there are very few small diesel engines out there. Then you would have to do the swap. As with any engine swap, there will be problems. Considering how high speed the Patriot drivetrain is.... Will the diesel work with the gas CVT2, computer, and/or fuel system? If you are doing a swap why use a 2.0L diesel? How about a 2.8L CRD or even a 3.0L CRD? Would the swap be legal (state laws/emissions)? If these options were available, I would just swap a diesel into my TJ.

I'm still holding out for a diesel option. Even if I have to wait till 2012.

does anyone know for sure that a diesel patriot is coming in 2008?

Hopefully!

Sorry for any confusion :)

The 2.0L i'm taking about are the ones for OutSide North America. I was wondering if anyone here has solid info saying in 2k8 the Patriot WILL BE equipped with a diesel.

If so which engine would be likely? The 2.0 thats in the European Market for the Patriots siblings? OR The 3.0L that Mercedes just developed or the 2.8 CRD in the Liberty?

...I'm still holding out for a diesel option. Even if I have to wait till 2012.

I am not putting my life on hold that long. I have waited long enough. Once I test drive the FDII Patriot, a decision will be made. I need to hit the trails

It might be helpful to let DC know exactly how much interest there is in the diesel option by emailing them. Use the contact form or 800 number on the Jeep site. The "export" six speed manual and turbo diesel would satisfy performance needs (comparable to 4.0 torque) and likely provide a thirty percent fuel economy improvement, over the gasser, at the same time.

hmmmm..... if the Compass is getting a diesel, how different is the engine compartment between that and the Patriot? Is a swap (without a bottomless wallet) realistic?


They are identical, pretty much everything under the skin is the same with the exception of FDII not being offered on the Compass. However from the sound of it thats really just a software solution and not any actual hardware change. Pretty amazing how they can change the feel and behaviour of that CVT with just a computer program change, even the auto stick is just that and feels a lot more responsive then the slush stick on the conventional automatics.

They are identical, pretty much everything under the skin is the same with the exception of FDII not being offered on the Compass. However from the sound of it thats really just a software solution and not any actual hardware change.

The FDII uses the CVT2L (L for "Low Range"). There are physical differences internally and externally between the CVT2 and CVT2L. I believe it's a 19:1 gear reduction in "Low", whereas the CVT2 doesn't have quite a low ratio.

Sorry for any confusion :)

The 2.0L i'm taking about are the ones for OutSide North America. I was wondering if anyone here has solid info saying in 2k8 the Patriot WILL BE equipped with a diesel.

If so which engine would be likely? The 2.0 thats in the European Market for the Patriots siblings? OR The 3.0L that Mercedes just developed or the 2.8 CRD in the Liberty?

The only diesel that will fit, and is currently offered in the Caliber (and Compass?) for export is sourced from Volkswagen. The 3.0L is too big, as is the 2.8L CRD from VM Motori (Italian engine).

One thing keeping diesels from the US this year is the more strict emissions laws that recently went into effect. These same laws killed the Liberty diesel as a US option this year too - that's why it isn't being offered. Mercedes' solution is the "Bluetec" diesel that utilizes a urea solution that mixes with the exhaust (?) producing a cleaner exhaust. The urea must be refilled periodically. Not a great solution, but a short-term solution nonetheless. I think I read Honda has had success meeting these new, stricter diesel emissions regulations without using urea.

Hey Guys

I have been doing a lot of reading on this subject because it interests me the most. I want a diesel so bad, but since I work for DCX I will only buy there products...and I love them.

Anyways, I wouldn't hl my breath for the next few years. First off the engine being used is VW, and it would be suicide for VW to sell DCX a diesel engine for North American production, since they have a monopoly on that. Secondly those engines are outdated and are not clean enough to be sold here in NA. With our new diesel standards of fuel and emissions, any new products be as clean as gasoline(pretty much) and that is not the case with those VW engines.

So my prediction is that DCX will first sell as many of these regular ones as possible, but soon as they get a little old they will add the diesel option. The engine will be outsourced, b/c a merceded diesel in these cars(although amazingly cool) would never fly. So something similar to the diesel in the liberty would be most likely...

I would have to say probably not until 2009 at least. Every time I contact DCX on the subject they say they are still doing research, so we'll have to see.

So hope this doesn't dissapoint too much, I just hope my Neon last till we see the diesels here.

Does this mean the 3.0 that is being put in the Grand Cherokee will not make it's way to the Wrangler?

It could, but that is a pretty expensive proposition, those engiones are fairly expensive, not to mention are purely mercedes, and they would have the final say as to what product they are used in. I could see it going into the 300 and other LX/LY models.

Although the power would be very nice for the wrangler.

The folks at DaimlerChrysler are not very good listeners... People in Jeep Commander forums have been screaming for DCX to bring in the Diesel 3.0L CRD for the Commander for more than a year now, and so far no dice... Guess we'll be stuck with the two gas engine options for a while.

The folks at DaimlerChrysler are not very good listeners... People in Jeep Commander forums have been screaming for DCX to bring in the Diesel 3.0L CRD for the Commander for more than a year now, and so far no dice... Guess we'll be stuck with the two gas engine options for a while.


All the OEMs are scrambling to get a diesel out that will pass the new emissions standards. There are very few choices in any of the under 8500 GVWR emissions tier right now, and even fewer that can be sold in all 50 states.

Clean diesels are coming ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today unveiled its cleanest diesel ever for the U.S., the Jetta TDI. Additionally, the company announced that this new clean diesel will be available to the U.S. market in the spring of 2008. This Jetta TDI will meet emissions standards applicable in all 50 states, including the most stringent “TIER 2/BIN 5” or “LEV II/LEV” requirement limiting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to 0.05 g/mile.

This clean diesel Jetta meets the lowest emissions standards without the use of urea injection. Instead, a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst reduces NOx emissions by up to 90 percent. The engine management system in the Jetta changes operating modes periodically to treat the NOx that has been stored in the catalytic converter. A particulate filter in the exhaust system further reduces emissions.

The Jetta TDI is one of the first products of the BLUETEC offensive initiated jointly by Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. The goal of this partnership is to establish the concept of BLUETEC as a uniform label for clean and highly fuel efficient diesel-powered cars and SUVs with 50-state compliant engines. BLUETEC denotes diesel power plants that comply with the strictest emissions regulations of the US market. The technologies individually developed by each manufacturer serve to reduce NOx in particular – an exhaust element more prevalent in a diesel engine.

Volkswagen unveiled its clean diesel concept Tiguan compact SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The Tiguan will be available in the U.S. mid 2008.

Default Diesel already wins race as the energy alternative
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...701180313/1008

Diesel already wins race as the energy alternative
Future is now for Audi's R10 at Detroit's auto show
Henry Payne

The most significant car in the North American International Auto Show is not a concept or production car. It's a race car that shows practical alternative energy technology already is on the road.

Last June, the diesel-powered Audi R10 on display in the Audi exhibit won the world's most prestigious sports-car endurance race, the 24 Hours of LeMans. It became the first non-gasoline powered car in the 74-year history of the legendary French competition to finish first.

At Cobo Center this year as in the past, the media buzz focused on electric, ethanol or hydrogen-powered vehicles as alternative technologies "just around the corner." But the R-10's unprecedented achievement confirms that diesel power is the only viable alternative for the foreseeable future.

Gasoline has dominated the auto fuel market because it is superior in energy content, efficiency, availability and price. A true alternative must compete with it on every front. There is no more rigorous test than LeMans, where engines must last 24 hours while reaching sustained speeds of 200 miles per hour every lap.

Against top gas-fueled competition, the Audi's turbocharged diesel injection (TDI) technology passed the test with flying colors.

Diesel goes faster and farther than gas

"The R10 was consistently faster," wrote Autoweek magazine. "What's more, it was going farther on a tank of fuel. Ninety liters (about 24 gallons) of diesel were good for 15 laps of the 8.48-mile track; 90 liters of gasoline were good for just 13 laps."

Audi and other automakers are replicating the revolutionary TDI's racing success in Europe's production car market.

BMW's gas-powered 530i and the diesel-powered 530d, reports Edmunds.com, "cost similar money. They have the same power output (231 hp), but the diesel has dramatically more torque." Unlike the smoke-belching diesels of old, the new TDI "clean diesel" technology is "astonishingly refined, even at idle, and achieves an average of 42.2 mpg to the 530i's 32.1 mpg," says Edmunds.

As a consequence, diesel cars are more than half of the cars sold in Germany today.

In America, introducing clean diesel technology has lagged due to federal foot-dragging on diesel fuel particulate standards. Europe long ago mandated a low 50 parts per million, but the U.S. standard of 15, the world's most stringent (down to 5 by 2009) went into effect in October. Designing engines to the new standard is challenging, but doable.
As diesels enter the market here, they will easily outperform every other alternative. Electric and hydrogen technologies are too expensive to be viable today -- if ever.

Diesels outperform popular hybrids

Meanwhile, tests show the U.S. market's first TDI, Volkswagen's Jetta, outperforming gasoline-electric hybrids like the popular Toyota Prius.
Autoweek magazine drove both cars from Ann Arbor to Lake Michigan and back, with the diesel easily beating the hybrid: 49 miles per gallon to 42.

Hybrids do own a slight advantage over diesel in fuel availability. Thanks to the commercial trucking industry, however, diesel infrastructure is not far behind. And the hybrid's two (gas and electric motor) power plant design means consumers pay a $3,000 premium on a Prius, whereas the TDI Jetta is $1,200 more than its gas counterpart.

Despite considerable hype, U.S. ethanol is not a viable fuel. In fact, corn-based ethanol only exists as a sop to America's powerful farm lobby -- and because auto manufacturers can use it as a credit against Washington's byzantine fuel economy laws.

Brazilian ethanol from sugar cane is different. After years of development subsidies for state-owned oil companies, ethanol has captured 40 percent of Brazil's market. Still, ethanol-from-sugar goes only 75 percent as far as gasoline -- a problem Brazil makes up by taxing ethanol 25 percent less. As long as Brazil "maintains a large tax differential between gasoline and hydrous ethanol," it is viable with gasoline, a 2005 World Bank report says.

But it's not competitive with diesel. To guarantee ethanol's market share, the World Bank reports, Brazil "also bans the use of diesel-powered cars." Without diesel, sugar-based ethanol is viable.

The real-world experience is clear: Diesel wins convincingly both on and off the track.

Clean diesels are coming ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today unveiled its cleanest diesel ever for the U.S., the Jetta TDI. Additionally, the company announced that this new clean diesel will be available to the U.S. market in the spring of 2008. This Jetta TDI will meet emissions standards applicable in all 50 states, including the most stringent “TIER 2/BIN 5” or “LEV II/LEV” requirement limiting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to 0.05 g/mile.

This clean diesel Jetta meets the lowest emissions standards without the use of urea injection. Instead, a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst reduces NOx emissions by up to 90 percent. The engine management system in the Jetta changes operating modes periodically to treat the NOx that has been stored in the catalytic converter. A particulate filter in the exhaust system further reduces emissions.

The Jetta TDI is one of the first products of the BLUETEC offensive initiated jointly by Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. The goal of this partnership is to establish the concept of BLUETEC as a uniform label for clean and highly fuel efficient diesel-powered cars and SUVs with 50-state compliant engines. BLUETEC denotes diesel power plants that comply with the strictest emissions regulations of the US market. The technologies individually developed by each manufacturer serve to reduce NOx in particular – an exhaust element more prevalent in a diesel engine.

Volkswagen unveiled its clean diesel concept Tiguan compact SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The Tiguan will be available in the U.S. mid 2008.

Default Diesel already wins race as the energy alternative
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...701180313/1008

Diesel already wins race as the energy alternative
Future is now for Audi's R10 at Detroit's auto show
Henry Payne

The most significant car in the North American International Auto Show is not a concept or production car. It's a race car that shows practical alternative energy technology already is on the road.

Last June, the diesel-powered Audi R10 on display in the Audi exhibit won the world's most prestigious sports-car endurance race, the 24 Hours of LeMans. It became the first non-gasoline powered car in the 74-year history of the legendary French competition to finish first.

At Cobo Center this year as in the past, the media buzz focused on electric, ethanol or hydrogen-powered vehicles as alternative technologies "just around the corner." But the R-10's unprecedented achievement confirms that diesel power is the only viable alternative for the foreseeable future.

Gasoline has dominated the auto fuel market because it is superior in energy content, efficiency, availability and price. A true alternative must compete with it on every front. There is no more rigorous test than LeMans, where engines must last 24 hours while reaching sustained speeds of 200 miles per hour every lap.

Against top gas-fueled competition, the Audi's turbocharged diesel injection (TDI) technology passed the test with flying colors.

Diesel goes faster and farther than gas

"The R10 was consistently faster," wrote Autoweek magazine. "What's more, it was going farther on a tank of fuel. Ninety liters (about 24 gallons) of diesel were good for 15 laps of the 8.48-mile track; 90 liters of gasoline were good for just 13 laps."

Audi and other automakers are replicating the revolutionary TDI's racing success in Europe's production car market.

BMW's gas-powered 530i and the diesel-powered 530d, reports Edmunds.com, "cost similar money. They have the same power output (231 hp), but the diesel has dramatically more torque." Unlike the smoke-belching diesels of old, the new TDI "clean diesel" technology is "astonishingly refined, even at idle, and achieves an average of 42.2 mpg to the 530i's 32.1 mpg," says Edmunds.

As a consequence, diesel cars are more than half of the cars sold in Germany today.

In America, introducing clean diesel technology has lagged due to federal foot-dragging on diesel fuel particulate standards. Europe long ago mandated a low 50 parts per million, but the U.S. standard of 15, the world's most stringent (down to 5 by 2009) went into effect in October. Designing engines to the new standard is challenging, but doable.
As diesels enter the market here, they will easily outperform every other alternative. Electric and hydrogen technologies are too expensive to be viable today -- if ever.

Diesels outperform popular hybrids

Meanwhile, tests show the U.S. market's first TDI, Volkswagen's Jetta, outperforming gasoline-electric hybrids like the popular Toyota Prius.
Autoweek magazine drove both cars from Ann Arbor to Lake Michigan and back, with the diesel easily beating the hybrid: 49 miles per gallon to 42.

Hybrids do own a slight advantage over diesel in fuel availability. Thanks to the commercial trucking industry, however, diesel infrastructure is not far behind. And the hybrid's two (gas and electric motor) power plant design means consumers pay a $3,000 premium on a Prius, whereas the TDI Jetta is $1,200 more than its gas counterpart.

Despite considerable hype, U.S. ethanol is not a viable fuel. In fact, corn-based ethanol only exists as a sop to America's powerful farm lobby -- and because auto manufacturers can use it as a credit against Washington's byzantine fuel economy laws.

Brazilian ethanol from sugar cane is different. After years of development subsidies for state-owned oil companies, ethanol has captured 40 percent of Brazil's market. Still, ethanol-from-sugar goes only 75 percent as far as gasoline -- a problem Brazil makes up by taxing ethanol 25 percent less. As long as Brazil "maintains a large tax differential between gasoline and hydrous ethanol," it is viable with gasoline, a 2005 World Bank report says.

But it's not competitive with diesel. To guarantee ethanol's market share, the World Bank reports, Brazil "also bans the use of diesel-powered cars." Without diesel, sugar-based ethanol is viable.

The real-world experience is clear: Diesel wins convincingly both on and off the track.

Outstanding posts HighDesert!!!!! If anyone is wondering why I want a diesel under the hood of my next vehicle read the quotes!!!! Make sure you read the part about gas alternatives. :D

Hold on until 2010 and see if there isn't one of the new little Cummins engines available.

Spot the Trends
By Jon Alain Guzik, Editor-at-Large, Yahoo! Autos


Diesel
2007 is the year of the diesel. With the changes in EPA emissions laws in 2008, most of the major automotive manufacturers are showing off what’s coming very soon. Diesel, once the scorn of the environmental movement, has been reborn as a clean, green technology that also provides a lot more power than a gasoline engine. Take a look at the Audi Q7 V12 TDI concept. Any vehicle with over 500 horsepower, 730 feet of torque and a twelve-cylinder engine can’t be half bad. Add the fact that it’s a clean-burning low-emissions BlueTec diesel that gets more than twenty miles a gallon and you’re really onto something. BlueTec is the emissions technology partnership between DaimlerChrysler, Audi and Volkswagen and promises the lowest diesel emissions ever. Green and fast, sounds good to us.

I'd love to see a diesel engine available for the Patriot further down the line. Right now on the www.jeep.com website you can configure a Grand Cherokee with a $2,100.00 3.0L Diesel engine.

I'd love to see a diesel engine available for the Patriot further down the line. Right now on the www.jeep.com website you can configure a Grand Cherokee with a $2,100.00 3.0L Diesel engine.

They showed it as a 3,050 option for Florida, I ran a FL zip code instead of NY because you cant buy a diesel WK in NY yet. You also have to buy a Limited to even have the diesel as a choice, so a Limited with the 3.0 diesel and no other options ran $38,475. If they ever do actually offer one for CA, NY, and the other 3 states Im sure it will cost even more.

Man that is one expensive GC!

You know Georgia has announced the building of the second bio-diesel plant in as many days. There is some serious money going in to converting soy beans into fuel. You don't start spending that kind of money unless you are confident that there will be a market and at sustainable prices.

Hi everyone,

Can we get diesel liberty in Canada?

The 2.8-litre diesel
The engine produces 160 horsepower and gets an estimated fuel economy of 10.5 L/100 km city and 8.0 L/100 km highway.

source: canadiandriver.com/news/041108-6.htm

Thanks

I don't think they (DCX) are building a diesel version of the Liberty at this time. At least here in the states, they aren't... Something about the 2.8L CRD engine not meeting emissions for 2007 or something strange like that.

When the new Liberty comes out in the Fall, you might be able to get a diesel again, but for the moment you're out of luck

Look for a used 2005 CRD Liberty....closest you'll get this year.

You know Georgia has announced the building of the second bio-diesel plant in as many days. There is some serious money going in to converting soy beans into fuel. You don't start spending that kind of money unless you are confident that there will be a market and at sustainable prices.


Im not sure what engines it will work in, right now the Sprinter and Cummins which falls into the over 8,500lb GVWR emissions tier are only rated for 5% biodiesel without modification. They can run up to 20% with an additional fuel water seperator added, but it has to be very high quality biodiesel. I have not been able to find any allowed limit yet for the new GC 3.0 engine. Fuel quality is extremely important in all modern light duty diesel engines, especially ones that meet the new emissions standards for under 8,500lbs.

Hopefully the new engines are as "interesting" as the CRD experiment in the KJ's were... There have been a few horror stories about torque converter failures, EGR replacements and other issues.

The industry organization that defines the consensus on fuels is the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The biodiesel standard, D-6751 covers pure biodiesel (B100), for blending with petrodiesel in levels up to 20% by volume. The US really lags much of the world in diesel development and B20 blends are finally being recognized with the higher levels of biodiesel being addressed on a case-by-case basis after discussion with the individual engine company. Most major engine companies have stated formally that the use of blends up to B20 will not void their parts and workmanship warranties (fuel related problems are the responsibility of the fuel supplier and not the engine manufacturer). Some engine companies have already specified that the biodiesel must meet ASTM D-6751 as a condition, while others are still in the process of adopting D-6751. Since it is relatively easy to produce biodiesel, one should check with the fuel company for ASTM compliance.

Just got this moths MasterTech for the Patriot, the overseas model is getting the same 2.0 4cyl diesel that the Compass?Caliber get overseas and it is only offered with a six speed manual transaxle. The export market is also only getting FDI, no FDII or even FWD for them.

AutoWeek

DETROIT - The U.S. market for diesel-powered vehicles - formerly the exclusive domain of boat-towing pickups and German luxury cars - is reaching critical mass.

Last week, Automotive News revealed that General Motors plans to equip the Saturn Aura and a Cadillac sedan with diesel engines by 2010.

With GM's confirmation last week that it will offer the fuel-saving engine in cars, crossovers and light trucks, diesels should easily outpace U.S. sales of hybrid-powered vehicles.

Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. - one of the largest suppliers of diesel fuel injection systems - projects U.S. diesel sales will grow to 867,000 units in 2012, up from an estimated 653,000 units this year.

By contrast, sales of hybrid vehicles are projected at 510,000 units in 2012, up from an estimated 193,000 units this year.

Except for a few thousand Mercedes cars and Jeep Grand Cherokees, all diesels sold in the United States this year will be heavy-duty pickups. That will change early next year when Volkswagen's new diesel engines arrive in the Jetta, New Beetle and other models.

Around 2010, Toyota, Honda, BMW, the Chrysler group, Nissan, Audi and others will introduce diesel-powered cars and SUVs. Among major automakers, only Ford Motor Co. has no plans to offer diesel cars. Ford says the diesel is too expensive for passenger cars.

Hell freezes over

Diesels are getting another opportunity because they offer 30 percent better fuel economy than comparable gasoline engines. Major refinements also have transformed the diesel from the sluggish, chattering, smoke-belching engine many people remember from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

At that time, GM converted an Oldsmobile gasoline engine to run on diesel fuel. It was so awful that it destroyed the U.S. market for diesels. Even Mercedes-Benz quit back then.

Not so long ago, one might have expected hell to freeze over before GM dared to reintroduce diesel-powered cars.

Now, GM is developing at least two diesel engines. One is a 4.5-liter V-8 slated for the Hummer H2 SUV and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. The other is a 2.9-liter V-6 being engineered in Europe by VM Motori S.p.A., an Italian engine maker.

In his blog on GM's Web site last week, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz confirmed that the automaker will offer the new diesels in a couple of years. Lutz said the diesels will be sold in all 50 states.

The first GM cars to get diesels will be the Saturn Aura sedan and probably the Cadillac CTS, says a GM source with knowledge of product plans. The European CTS will use that same 2.9-liter engine in Europe. Crossovers would come next.

'Prettiest green hat'

Dealers are excited about GM's plans for diesels. "It makes so much sense," says Alan Starling, who owns a number of GM stores in Florida. "GM has got great technology from Europe."

Starling, a former chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, says he is not worried about GM's history with diesels. "Those memories are painful for all of us," he says. "But I would rather have that discussion than not see customers at all."

Ed Williamson, a Miami dealer who sells Cadillacs and Hummers, predicts the new diesels will dispel lingering memories of GM's past. "People will realize this is not a gasoline engine converted to diesel," he says.

Williamson says diesels will appeal to consumers concerned about the environment.

"Look at what people are willing to pay for the Toyota Prius or a Lexus LS 600h," he says. "More product and innovative technology is always good. Everyone is trying to wear the prettiest green hat."

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...8/newsletter01

Write letters to Jeep "demanding" a CRD!
:-)

AR.

i just talked to a jeep rep, and he said no diesel until fall 2009, maybe!!!

2009? That may be perfect timing, my lease ends on Sept. 2010..

AutoWeek | Published 07/23/07, 3:45 pm et

Buyers are bidding up prices of used vehicles with fuel-saving diesel engines, industry analysts say.

A diesel engine added about $1,000 to the roughly $50,000 sticker price of a new 2005 Mercedes E320 CDI sedan. Two years later, that option fetches $2,500 more at wholesale auctions than the gasoline-powered engine on the same model, the Black Book used-vehicle price guide reports.

"As American consumers, we're looking to get better fuel economy, but we still want that full-sized vehicle," says Black Book managing editor Ricky Beggs. "The technology is so much better today, and the versatility and the accessibility to get diesel fuel are there."

The Power Information Network estimates that U.S. consumers will buy more than 500,000 vehicles with diesel engines this year. The network predicts that figure will more than double by 2011.

Except for a few thousand Mercedes cars and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs, all diesels sold as new in the United States this year will be in heavy-duty pickups.

Gaining acceptance

But several automakers plan to introduce diesel-powered cars and light trucks to the United States by 2010. Strong resale values for used diesels signal consumer interest and acceptance, Beggs told Automotive News.

Of six 2005 models reviewed by Black Book, five showed increases in the value of their diesel engines in the used-car market. The sixth, the 2005 Jep Liberty, has a diesel engine valued at $2,200 - 82 percent of its original sticker price, Black Book says.

John Blair, CEO of Automotive Lease Guide, agrees that diesel engines are appreciating but warns that could change. As automakers introduce more diesel-powered cars, he says, the growing supply of used diesel cars will ease prices.

"In the future, the value is going to be lower, given the greater volume of diesels being produced and the increased competition with hybrids," says Blair, whose company sets residual values for the auto industry.

Volkswagen of America Inc. says it will reintroduce diesel engines in its Jetta and other models next year. VW did not offer diesel engines in most 2007 models, while it modified its technology to meet U.S. emissions rules for new low-sulfur diesel fuel.

Supply and demand

Terrence Wynne, director of analytical services at NADA Analytical Services Group, says VW's actions reduced the supply of new diesel-powered vehicles. That helped drive up prices of used diesels, he says.

An optional diesel engine added $1,220 to the base price of a new 2005 Jetta GLS, Black Book says. The diesel now commands roughly a $2,000 price premium for the same car as a used vehicle.

Diesels also are holding their own in the market for used heavy-duty trucks.

Automotive Lease Guide's Blair says a diesel engine typically adds $6,000 to the sticker price of a new full-sized pickup. After 36 months, he estimates, the diesel engines will keep 60 percent of their value as an option, while the trucks themselves will retain only 47 percent of their value.

Glenn Romines, a Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealer in Houston, Mo., says he sells 7 to 10 used diesel pickups a month. This month, he says, he paid $23,000 for a 2002 Ford F-350 - about $2,000 more than its guidebook wholesale value.

Romines says he sold the truck for $24,500 - roughly $1,500 more than its prevailing retail price. He says: "It was a good deal for everybody."
PREMIUM DIESEL
Diesel engines are not only holding but increasing their value as an option on used vehicles. These are calculations of the percentage of value retained by diesel engines on 2-year-old vehicles, compared with when the 2005 models were sold as new.

2005 Model / % of Retained value

Mercedes E320 CDI: 250%

VW Jetta GLS: 164%

Ford F-250: 127%

VW New Beetle GLS: 121%

Chevrolet Silverado: 117%

Dodge Ram 2500: 104%

Jeep Liberty: 82%

Source: Black Book

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...8/newsletter01