I don't understand why one of our american companies don't take advantage of a market that would sell like hotcakes, (IMO) in this present (I mean from say 3 years ago till now.) A small pickup with my VW 1.9 turbo direct inj with stick, I am positive would get 50 mpg and more to the people that make a game of how many miles to tank or mpg they can get. You can get that now in a jetta diesel or beetle with a stick. Heck I get 35-37 in town with A/C. & 43.9 on interstate going 80 with A/C AND and AUTOMATIC. Almost 30 years ago toyota did just that. Little 4 cylinder diesel 35 mpg with 30 yr old technology. VW did too, I think It got 40 mpg. I guess a time diesel was so cheap ( I don't remember what prices were, but not high enough to make people even much consider mpg) I drive a VW beetle for everday driver. I have had several MB 5 cyl diesel- years ago, and this VW has plenty of room even for a very large person and has been a good vehicle. However, I would probably gotten a small pickup with diesel just for utility of it. I suppose they are overseas now and maybe not here? What do you guys think? I mean for an everday driver, drive to work truck runnin around. 50mpg or better, and use your heavy-duty dually or 3/4 ton for towing or just driving whenever you wanted to. Do you think they would sell? Would you buy one? Sorry for long post- been laid up with bad injury and feel chatty I guess. Nelson

 

I'd buy one...

 

I read in Diesel Progress or some other magazine that Mahindra is going to offer in the states a 4 cylinder diesel in a small pickup truck in the very near future. I too would think an economical diesel truck would be a big seller. Ed B

 

A lot of aerodynamic modifications would be necessary to the current small trucks to get 50mpg. That is approximately the mileage that a jetta can get but the jetta has a lot less windage which is the biggest factor in highway fuel economy.

I do really like the idea of a small diesel though. When I first got a truck, I didn't really have a use for it(do now) and would definitely have gotten something s-10 sized if it existed.

 

The big problem would be meeting emissions standards and whether buyers of lower priced vehicles would be willing to pay the price increases for DPF equipped vehicles . Emissions standards are the reason the diesel is no longer an option on the Jeep Liberty and why there will be no diesel option on the Smart Car in the U.S. .

 

the early eighties small diesel trucks usually got mileage in the high 20's to mid 30's. I would love to have one of those 84-85 Toyota 4WD diesel trucks. That would be a great rig, as long as you keep from ever overheating it.

 

heck i would love to see like a s-10 pick-up with a vw tdi conversion. i wonder what kinda mileage it would get.

 

I'd be real interested in a Dakota with a small Cummins in it. If I had the time I'd sell one of the other trucks and get a Dakota QC 4x4 and put a 4BT in it. The NV3550 should be strong enough to hold it as long as you don't tweak it too much, and you should see about 30mpg I would think.

 

heck yea, something like this is great stuff

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-Ra...em290200181634

 

The manufacturer has stated their Smart Car is a slug with the diesel.

 

all i can say is toyota hilux.

i have a opportunity to buy one right now. 15 grand. 92 with 50 000 km right hand drive import from japan. as soon as i have the money saved its going to be in my driveway.

 

I would like to see a diesel hydraulic hybrid.... In a midsized truck it should get 50+ MPG's
Ford has been experimenting with them... They are using an Expy with a VW Diesel running a hydraulic pump to drive Hydr. Motors at the wheels. They can keep the motor running at a constant sweet spot maintaining a balance of efficiency and power while using the power and torque of the hydraulic motors to drive the vehicle.
Think about what a tiny engine in a forklift can do.... Why not use that kind of power to drive a passenger vehicle??

OG

 

Rick G-- Yeah I guess they would definitely have to deal with that for sure.
Dartmoth-- in 1981- 26 yrs ago the
VW Unibody diesel got 45 mpg, I'd bet the aerodynamic factor could be dealt with?? Woodrat-- my Dad (deceased) had an 84
4WD 4 cy diesel with turbo. I could kick myself for not keeping it.
DJ- is the hilux a small diesel? Thanks for all comments and responses.

 

People really shouldn't be able to be zipping through interstate traffic doing 70 m.p.h. + in a Smart Car but I've seen Smart Cars out of Canada doing that in Michigan .

 

There was a Dakota with a non-turbo Mercedes-Benz diesel swapped in it on Ebay about 6 months ago. A turbo one would have been a much better idea...

Heat. Pumping the oil generates lots and lots of heat. That is wasted energy. Hydraulics have been tried before, they are not efficient.