No plans for diesel smart in U.S.

[Alchemy R]

Back from the dead...

All of the "diesel is sooooooo expensive" comments were really bugging me last year when fuel prices shot up. It was like no one remembered that diesel fuel has historically been much cheaper than petrol.

A lot of people were rubbing my face in it since I owned Diesel Jeeps... even though they were at least 30% more efficient than their petrol counterparts and ran very well on biodiesel.

It's nice to see the price of D2 back down where it should be.

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by 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

Yes they may . . . but not soon - at least according to the smart reps at the NY Auto show, who said that we will likely see an electric smart before we see a smart cdi. They said to expect the electric smart in 2 years.

Low cost is clearly part of the marketing plan for MB/smart/Penske in the US. Heck, they could bring in mhd tomorrow if they so chose, but they aren't doing that either - despite the fact that it's standard equipment in Europe! That would be the easiest change & it would provide an immediate boost in mpg - likely to around 40 mpg on EPA testing. Despite the small increased cost, they are eschewing that, so more expensive alternatives like diesel in an unreceptive American market are unlikely IMO. While we're talking about diesel, why don't they modify their engine so that it gets the same mpg but runs on regular octane gas? That would be a bigger improvement.

Look at all that smart/Penske has done to avoid highercosts/higher prices. Limited warranty - despite the fact that smart Canada offers a warranty that is twice as long (4/48). No advertising program??? These are basic & standard in the automotive industry. If they're not going to provide a standard warranty & aren't going to advertise, they're not going to bring diesel any time soon.

[gone]

*****

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by opusandbill

I really wanted a diesel but I guess I can live with 35 mpg.

Is your fortwo new? If so, your mpg will improve.

I got 35 mpg during the break-in period (first 1000 miles), but I've been over 40 ever since.

[HGB]

From a non-empiric perspective, I'm just plain curious, are the Europeans coughing and dying with their version of cleaner air? What would happen if we would adapt their standards on pollution control? Then all kinds of vehicles would become available to us I bet.

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by HGB

From a non-empiric perspective, I'm just plain curious, are the Europeans coughing and dying with their version of cleaner air? What would happen if we would adapt their standards on pollution control? Then all kinds of vehicles would become available to us I bet.

My understanding is that US & Euro air standards will be coming together in the next few years. Maybe someone has more info.

Their CO2 regs are actually more restrictive than ours, but ours aqre more restrictive for particulate emissions due to smog problems in CA. Rome has similar smog problems & certainly will benefit from any improvements in exhaust filtration there.