No plans for diesel smart in U.S.

[74AMX304V8]

I believe money would be more wisely invested in the new solar technologies for electro motive power, ie. flexible sheet solar panels and "night time gathering" panels that capture in low light conditions ,diesels still keep us dependent on fossil fuels

[rirover]

Originally Posted by 74AMX304V8

I believe money would be more wisely invested in the new solar technologies for electro motive power, ie. flexible sheet solar panels and "night time gathering" panels that capture in low light conditions ,diesels still keep us dependent on fossil fuels

I certainly agree...but to transition 360 million will take time...and I would stretch what we have over the next 10 to 20 years..
Just returned from florida and for the life of me..I can't understand how little solar seems to be used there...I know that it is a very tall order to make the changes..it will take time...I just fear for the social consequences of fuel and food prices..it will deeply effect us all...even those of us who can well afford it...

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by Old smart

The current and past CDI diesels are Euro4 compliant, OK in Europe for the time being, but do not meet any current US EPA standard. That is why all the CDIs lurking just over the Canadian border have to stay there. Not only can you not buy one of them here, you cannot import and register one. G&K never got permission to convert them either.

... maybe even a variant of the experimental M-B DiesOtto (a low emission amalgam of compression ignition (diesel) and spark ignition (gasser)).

Thanks for the diesel update. Apparently Honda thinks they've cracked the diesel emissions puzzle with their non-urea solution and have stated plans to have a small 50-state diesel in 2009/2010, so it should be interesting over the next few years - and I would never underestimate Honda. Subaru is also talking about their new diesel for the US, but I'm not sure about their diesel emissions plan.

I've read about the DiesOtto engine, it certainly looks like a winner if they can keep the cost reasonable and reliability/durability is up to snuff with conventional products.

[Old smart]

The Honda thing (i-DTEC) is basically the same principle as Toyota's D-CAT and VW's BlueTec (in name only; it isn't BlueTec/AdBlue) - all of them a dry capture "NOx trap." So far, both Toyota and VW have had problems with the longevity of the NOx trap, and they ain't cheap. And in all cases, the NOx trap must be located some distance from the engine in a cool(er) environment to be effective.

I really see DiesOtto as the place to put the money. Runs on just plain regular gas from the corner 7-Eleven; no costly diesel fuel or EPA diesel regulation hassles. That's what the troops ought to be squalling to smartUSA/M-B about.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by Old smart

The Honda thing (i-DTEC) is basically the same principle as Toyota's D-CAT and VW's BlueTec

It looks like it is more than what they've rolled out in Europe, but yes, the end result is absorption of NOx. Perhaps the 'plasma reactor' component makes the process more feasible and durable? Who knows until it is available. Of course, as the following link points out, it takes electricity to run the reactor which reduces fuel mileage.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=a8g8MAJwxTGo

[knutliott]

Originally Posted by Old smart

refernatt and knutlintt need to do their homework, a whole lot of homework. They have to learn that both of the two potentially US compliant emissions technologies (aqueous urea injection or “dry capture”) are well beyond the capability of a smart to physically carry or be dealer-serviced or are cost-effective. “They” are not holding anything up their sleeves.

For refernatt: The most possible technology but yet to be evaluated, is dry capture, which is already known to accommodate only 5% biodiesel.

For knutlintt: Vehicle dimensions have nothing to do with the subject?

I've done all the homework I need to do, thank you very much. I'm aware of the alleged problems with Bluetec and the smart car. I'm also aware that those alleged problems are most likely an excuse because they don't want to talk about it. Well beyond the capability of the smart to physically carry? Baloney. There's plenty of room if they want to use it. Beyond the capability to be dealer serviced? Hogwash. Train the dealer, it's a simple system to refill. Not cost effective? Bingo... there's your first accurate statement.

It's not about fitting it into the car, or figuring out how to service it at the dealership. It's about cost and whether or not the bean counters and marketers believe that they can convince potential buyers to pay for it. Adding the Bluetec system to a $15,000 car would be a major price increase right now, and they don't believe that enough people would buy it to make it a worthwhile option.

It's that simple. It's not because they can't do it, it's because they don't believe that doing it would be profitable. And as much as I'd like to have a smart CDi Bluetec, they're probably right.

My reference to the article's error about the dimensions of the vehicle was apparently too subtle for you, Old smart. If they can't even get the vehicle's dimensions right - which are a mouse click away on smart's web site - why should we believe that the rest of the article is any more accurate?

[mini me]

Smart USA may have plans for a dielsel. I received this from them in email.

smart USA does have plans to bring the smart fortwo diesel model to US, though details have yet to be finalized. As more information becomes available it will be posted on our website www.smartusa.com. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us via email or by phone at 1.800.smartUSA. Thank you for your interest in smart USA. You will be hearing from us soon! Jamie Thompson Customer Service 1.800.smartUSA www.smartusa.com

[Smartdavis]

At this point I think they could bring over a steam engine and people would want to buy it. Smart is sitting on plenty of demand and not enough supply. Their biggest problem is not which engine to offer next. It's how to make more cars with any engine.

[Carnut]

Think again.

[Smartdavis]

Originally Posted by Carnut

Think again.

Isn't that unusual? We're seeing diesel higher than unleaded in Sacramento area. And by "any engine" I really wasn't suggesting one with worse gas mileage.