Audi is using the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a launching pad for its latest performance machine. Based on the Q5 crossover platform, the (long-rumored) SQ5 boasts 313 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque from its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel engine to move its not insignificant mass to 60 miles per hour in just five seconds.

Top speed comes in at 155 miles per hour, limited we presume, and, just as importantly, fuel mileage on the European cycle is listed at 7.2 liters per 100 kilometers (32.67 U.S. miles per gallon).

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/15/a...-turbo-diesel/

 

I'll take one in awd.

 

Diesels are tough. Automakers charge so much for them it offsets the cost of getting a comparable gas vehicle with less mpgs. When they start offering say, Mazda 3s,focus', cruzes, etc for under $20k with a diesel and 50+mpgs highway then we can talk.

I think it's the higher price of the vehicle that keeps this thing called "demand" low. Not the fact that people in the US don't want them as many of the automakers claim.

 

For some reason, people spend $25,000+ on hybrids, but they won't on diesels ...

 

Because many Americans still associate Diesels with big dirty unclean trucks. If Automakers can show Americans that diesels can be green and efficient vehicles then I think that only then will you see more diesel powered vehicles. But is it worth the initial poor sales of a diesel vehicle plus PR and Marketing plus the costs of bringing such a vehicle over to the US only on a chance that it might succeed and Americans will start buying diesel at $4.80 a gallon?

 

$4.80!!? Holy crap. Diesel here is typically about 10-20 cents more then regular,(about 3.20ish right now), which means its cheaper then premium and close to 89. I would much rather see diesels vs electric. It would be a no brainer for me.

 

I just got back from Europe few days ago. I was paying over $10 for a gallon of diesel over there.

 

I know europe is bad. I think I would get a lot of exercise if I lived over there. It just surprises me if its that much over here, even in NY.

 

3.20ish, darn, lowest i have seen around here is 3.77

 

That was my excuse too, but after driving diesels I really got impressed by them. I love how my Golf TDI drives and I can also easily get 650-700 miles out of 16 gallons tank.
I would buy one even in the USA, although I'm not a fan of a current body style. I'm waiting for the new one.

 

Yep, filled up for 3.23 today. Its been hanging right around that for about 2 weeks.

I love diesels. In the cars they are awesome and in trucks justs about as awesome. Mostly why I'm going through the trouble to do the swap on my ramcharger. It won't get 50mpgs like the ones now, but 20 in that box will be sweet. I don't think many people here give diesels much of a chance, unless its a truck.

 

I've always thought that a decent sized V6 of V8 diesel would make for a fascinating alternative approach to performance for the Mustang. Look at BMW's 335d model which has performance just a click off the pace of their 335is, though probably more accessible, yet readily get over 40mpg highway and high 20's city without trying to hard.

I think diesels represent a basically unconsidered avenue towards delivery high performance yet excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions (pollutants and CO2). Their immense low-end torque give the same low end kick-in-the-asp grunt that so many rave about big V8s yet without the thirst.

Unfortunately, the rumored diesel V6 that Ford had been developing seems to have been stillborn, as far as I know. I think that would have made for a very interesting and distinctive alternative approach to performance for Ford to take the initiative on with the Stang.

 

Yes, that´s the truth... and i still driving my 2000 GT every day here... American V8 rules...