For 2009, Mercedes-Benz has outfitted all of its diesel vehicles with the latest in Bluetec technology. First pioneered in the E320, the ML-, GL-, and R-Class now get the cleanest version of Benz’s oil-burning 3.0-liter V-6. This engine is good for 210 horsepower and an extremely useful 398 pound-feet of torque. However, we were rather skeptical if this would be enough power to move the large R-Class family hauler with enough spirit to keep our enthusiast hearts beating. What we found was a rather pleasant people mover with ample power and a comfortable, luxurious interior perfect for long drives.

Click through the post to read all of our editors’ notes on the R320 Bluetec.

Just as we recently wrote about the new BMW 7-Series, the midlife fifth-generation 3-Series also makes its first impressions with its exterior and passenger cabin. What’s different in the case of the E90 3-Series four-door is that the all-new version introduced in 2005 has been an enthusiast favorite, whereas the 7-Series has received little else but sharp ridicule for its exterior design and the horrid earlier versions of the iDrive system, since going on sale in 2000.

Volkswagen has just unveiled its latest eco-minded BlueMotion concept vehicle, this time wearing the guise of its new Golf hatchback. According to the automaker, the Golf BlueMotion rings up a stellar 74.3 miles per gallon (that’s 62 mpg in U.S. gallons) on the combined European cycle—this, while emitting just 99 grams-per-kilometer of CO2.

The new concept achieves numbers similar to the markedly smaller Polo BlueMotion production vehicle using a 1.6-liter TDI common-rail diesel powerplant that generates 104 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque (@ 2000 rpm). So-equipped, the vehicle is capable of hitting 62 miles-per-hour in 11.3 seconds en-route to a top speed of 117 mph.

Other economy-extending tricks include low rolling-resistance tires, tweaked aerodynamics, and different gear ratios in the five-speed gearbox.

The new Golf (to be known as the Rabbit in the U.S.) is slated to hit U.K. roads this January, with an eerily-similar production BlueMotion model arriving mid-year. There is no official word yet on whether America will receive the BlueMotion Golf when the Rabbit goes finally reaches our shores.

(full press release below)

For the upcoming 2008 Paris Motor Show in October, Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru vehicles, will show off its Forester and Impreza models equipped with a 2.0-liter Boxer Diesel.
 
The diesel engine, already used in the Legacy and Outback, is a horizontally-opposed turbocharged four-cylinder and features an aluminum alloy cylinder block. The diesel in the 2.0D Impreza cranks out 147.5 horsepower at 3600 rpm while the one in the 2.0D Forester only has 144.8 horsepower (according to Japanese figures). Both models develop 258 pound-feet of torque at 1800 to 2400rpm
 
Both the 2.0D Impreza and 2.0D Forester are essentially the same as their gasoline powered counterparts, and the Impreza's diesel power plant will be mated with a six-speed manual transmission.
 
Shown alongside the two diesels will be a replica of the Subaru Impreza WRC2008 (used in the World Rally Championship of 2008), and the Subaru R1e. Also to be displayed is the G4e Concept. With an estimated range of 124 miles (according to Japanese figures), Subaru hopes it will be the next-generation EV concept car. Scroll down below to read the official Subaru press release.

How does a diesel work?

The primary difference between a diesel engine and a conventional gasoline (or Otto cycle) engine is the way that fuel combustion is induced by the engine. Essentially, the combustible hydrocarbons found in various fuels require activation energy to explode. In an Otto cycle engine this activation energy is provided by the arc of current formed by a spark plug, but in a diesel it is instead provided by compression. According to thermodynamics, the temperature in any gas is directly proportional to its pressure. When the piston in an engine compresses the mixture of intake gasses, they heat up. With enough heat, they will explode, forcing the piston back down.

We are solidly on record at Winding Road as having a penchant for many of the succulent automotive fruits readily available elsewhere in the world, but not available to American consumers. So when the opportunity arises for us to sample one of these exotic flavors – despite being uniformly quick to agree to the offer – we remain well aware that the sweeter the taste is, the longer we’ll spend with a resultant bitterness malingering on our automotive palates.

It’s a good thing, then, that Audi is at least flirting with the idea of bringing its newest 3.0-liter V-6 TDi A4 sedan to our shores, as want for this able diesel could otherwise make us surly drivers indeed.

Mitsubishi and its motorsports unit, MMSP, have developed a new rally car, the "Racing Lancer," which will be entered in the Baja Portalegre. Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart is furthering development of the Racing Lancer in hopes to win the Dakar rally in 2009.

Powering the Racing Lancer is a new turbocharged diesel engine which has previously been tested in the Pajero/Montero Ralliart cars. The design of the Racing Lancer has very subtle cues from the Lancer and Evolution, and features a hatchback arrangement from the Lancer Sportback.

The Racing Lancer will undergo further testing in Morocco throughout the next couple of months with each test covering approximately 4000 kilometers each time. When the car makes its official debut at the Baja Portalegre, it will be driven by successful Dakar racer Stéphane Peterhansel, who has a total of nine wins under his belt.

+ Mitsubishi

UK specialty car manufacturer Trident Performance Vehicles says it is all but ready to begin selling its new diesel supercar, the Iceni. According to company officials, the Iceni can reach 60 miles-per-hour in less than four seconds and crest 200 mph. Further, through the use of torque multiplication, the company is claiming that the car has achieved 68.9 miles-per-gallon at a steady 70 mph during a test at the Millbrook Proving Ground. All-in, the company suggests that the composite-bodied, stainless-steel chassis’d grand-tourer will have a bladder-busting range of 2000 miles. Needless to say, we will believe all of this when we see it.

Whether through its connotations with heavy industry, the lack of consumer products which use it in the U.S., or just if sheer capacity for building torque, we think that people in this country get a little too serious when the word “diesel” is mentioned.

We can’t deny being big fans of derv-burning cars and trucks (planes, motorcycles, elephant guns?), but we thought we’d take a minute to help illustrate that the oft-misunderstood fuel has got a lighter side as well. 

While it may be a year old, the diesel BMW 5-series was never sold in America, but it’s still something we wish we could have the option to shop for in this market. Our friends at Bosch imported a Euro-spec 535d for us to test, featuring a 3.0-liter diesel inline-six capable of producing 286 horsepower and a whopping 428 pound-feet of torque. Our test car also adorned BMW's M Sport appearance package, available on the European 5-series. This, combined with tinted rear windows and a badge-less rear end made this 5-series our stealth bomber of choice for cruising.

Click through the scroll of images above and click through the post to read our full impressions of the not-for-U.S. 535d.