Top 10: Diesels

No longer rattling buckets of nails that belch black smoke, modern diesel engines are clean, powerful and economical. With a 53% market share in the EU, it’s the power plant of choice for fuel-conscious Europeans, and if you believe everything you read last year, 2009 was supposed to be the year diesel finally broke into America.

Stories of diesel-powered cars returning 60 mpg started to flood all forms of media, and as soon as gas hit $4/gallon, Americans started clamoring for cars powered by these gas-sipping, torque-heavy engines. Manufacturers started planning to meet this growing demand for diesels and were proudly proclaiming that, before the end of ‘09, Americans would be able to buy clean-burning, diesel-powered versions of their favorite cars.

Unfortunately, the economic collapse of late 2008 has forced many manufacturers to restructure their plans, and many of 2009’s most anticipated diesels have been put on “indefinite hiatus.” So, while this means that you may never get that i-DTEC TSX, the Germans are still happy to satisfy your oil-burning needs.

This will be a bit of a mixed top 10 list; while we will of course feature the clean diesels that will actually be on sale in North America this year, we’ll also look at a few European rides that we wish we could get our hands on.

No.10 - Jaguar XJ Diesel

We don’t want to seem as if we’re unabashedly bowing down at the altar of Clarkson, but the Jaguar XJ Sovereign diesel finds its way onto this list specifically because it was featured on a recent episode of Top Gear.

The majority of Americans still associate diesel power with large semi-trucks or rusted-out Mercedes-Benz turbo-diesels, but the XJ’s appearance on Top Gear showed audiences that modern diesel-powered cars can be refined, powerful and economical. Even when driven hard by loudmouthed, boorish middle-aged man deliberately trying to run out of gas, the XJ managed to make the 736-mile trip from Switzerland to the northwestern coast of England on one tank of fuel.

Those who don’t care about British motoring programs will still find a lot to like about the Jaguar XJ diesel. Power comes from a 2.7-liter V6, good for 204 horsepower and 321 lb-ft. of torque. Total fuel economy is 35 mpg, and the C02 levels were deemed low enough to name the XJ Diesel Britain’s Greenest Luxury Car two years in a row. The Jag’s 0-60 time is a respectable 7.8 seconds, and its top speed is 141 mph. Luxuries include heated and cooled 16/16 soft grain leather seats, and accessories like the 20-inch Takoba wheels add a bit of visual flare.



No.9 - Renault Laguna Coupe 3.0 Diesel

Every now and then we hear rumors about French auto manufacturer Renault planning a return to the American market, but those plans never materialize. Chances are Renault is staying out of the country for two reasons. One: Few people have heard of Renault. Two: The people who actually have heard of the company immediately associate it with the miserable Le Car. That’s too bad, as we’d love to see the stunning Laguna Coupe here on our shores. Its face may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but to us the Laguna Coupe is definitely one of the prettiest cars we’ve seen in some time.

Reviewers agree that the Laguna Coupe’s optional 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 is the powerplant of choice. Tuned more for sport than fuel economy, this motor pumps out 235 horsepower and 332 lb-ft. of torque (starting at just 1,500 rpm), and the run from 0-60 takes just seven seconds. Handling gets a boost thanks to Renault’s four-wheel active steering system. Best of all, the Laguna Coupe is able to deliver solid driving thrills while returning a combined 40 mpg.



No.8 - Lexus IS 220d

The only Japanese-built diesel finding its way onto our list is Lexus’ IS 220d Sport. Powering the diesel IS is a direct-injected turbocharged 2.2-liter four-banger good for 175 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. The bulk of that torque comes in at a low 2,000 rpm, helping the Lexus hit 62 mph from a standstill in 8.9 seconds. Top speed in this Lexus is a reported 134 mph. That’s not fast by any stretch of the imagination, but the chassis is still solid, and with 44.8 combined mpg, this diesel IS sedan is probably still more fun to drive than the upcoming HS 250h -- it certainly looks better.



No.7 - Alfa Romeo Brera 2.4 JTDM 2.0

It is often said that you buy an Italian car with your heart, not your head. Sure, the build quality can be appallingly bad; and yes, the car may choose to simply not run six days of the week, but when said car is as beautiful as an Alfa Romeo, you tend not to care. We’ve never had to deal with the heartache of owning an Alfa, and that’s precisely why we want an Alfa Romeo Brera 2.4 JTDM.

A 2.4-liter, 5-cylinder motor rests under the hood of the Brera, and it boasts the highest specific output of any Alfa diesel ever made: 84hp/L (that's 210 horsepower). Torque is rated at 294 lb-ft. Given how fast this car looks, its 7.9-second 0-60 time seems almost agonizingly slow. However, as this car delivers a combined 41.5 mpg, we can live with the average acceleration. Besides, when a car looks this good, it’s OK to drive a bit slower and enjoy the approving stares.



No.6 - Citroen C5 HDi

Citroens have been called everything but “conventional,” but that doesn’t mean that the French manufacturer can’t build a car with mainstream appeal. The company’s latest C5 sedan brings modern (and admittedly more German) styling, and mates it to the silhouette of the classic DS.

We’ve already spent the No. 10 slot talking about this car’s motor. Thanks to an alliance with Ford and Peugeot, the diesel-powered C5 gets the same 2.7-liter V6 found in the Jag. However, just because the motor is shared between cars doesn’t mean that performance numbers are identical. The official combined mpg number is 33.6, similar to the Jag, but it takes a lot longer to make the run from 0-60; 8.4 seconds to be exact. Still, the Citroen is a handsome and nicely appointed sedan, thus earning a spot on our list.



No.5 - Mercedes-Benz ML 320 BlueTEC

Given the fact that diesels are extremely popular in Europe, it should come as no surprise that it’s the European manufacturers who are working the hardest to bring diesel back to North America. Mercedes’ latest ML 320 BlueTEC earns its spot on this list because it’s a car that Americans can actually go out and buy.

BlueTEC is the technology known for its urea-injection exhaust cleaning technology (and all the pee jokes it brings) that is said to produce the cleanest exhaust fumes you’ll ever see or smell. In the ML 320 BlueTEC, this technology is mated to a 210-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel. Torque is a V8-like 398 lb-ft., which is available as low as 1,400 rpm. Even with all that stump-pulling power, chances are you’ll see more MLs making the school run than hauling boats.

The ML 320 BlueTEC gets an EPA estimated 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. That seems much lower than what the European rides are capable of, but keep in mind that the MPG numbers of EU/UK cars are measured using Imperial Gallons (1.2 U.S. gallons = approx 1 Imperial gallon). Official UK specs show that the ML 320 achieves a combined MPG of 30.1. Independent tests of U.S.-spec ML 320 BlueTECs have seen the soft roader achieve combined mpg numbers in the mid 20s.



No.4 - VW Jetta TDI

A few years back a major automotive magazine test showed that the Jetta TDI was able to achieve combined MPG numbers greater than those of the two most popular hybrids at the time. Despite the accolades, changing emissions laws forced VW to pull the diesel Jetta from its lineup. Not a company to sit idly by and watch hybrids take the Jetta TDI’s market share, VW used some of the BlueTEC technology it codeveloped with Mercedes-Benz (minus the urea injection) to develop a new 50-state legal turbo-diesel Jetta.

Powering the latest Jetta TDI is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that produces 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft. of torque. This Jetta is also the first automobile to meet the world’s toughest emissions standards: California’s Tier II, Bin 5. Its 0-60 times are in the mid-8 second range, and the Jetta TDI gets an EPA-estimated 33 combined mpg. Priced moderately at about $23,090, the Jetta TDI has proven to be quite popular. Volkswagen completely sold out of its initial allotment of U.S. cars, so be prepared to wait (or pay a premium) for a turbo-diesel Jetta of your own.



No.3 - Audi A3 TDI

Though technically not scheduled to hit the U.S. until first-quarter 2010, we felt that the Audi A3 TDI deserved a place on this list. The powertrain is exactly the same as the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel mill found in the Jetta TDI, so horsepower and torque numbers will be identical, as will the standard DSG dual-clutch transmission.

Unlike the full BlueTEC system found on Mercedes’ diesels, VAG’s partial BlueTEC seems as if it will be more user-friendly as it requires no after treatment. That urea injection system we keep talking about requires new fluid every three months or so -- the diesel found in the Jetta and A3 requires no such maintenance. We’ve always liked the A3, and we’re eager to see how North America responds to the diesel version. Pricing will be revealed closer to the car’s actual release date.



No.2 - BMW 335d

Though it has always offered diesel powerplants in Europe, BMW brings its diesel game back to the U.S. in the form of the 335d sedan. Given the 3 Series’ status and legendary performance, if any car can turn Americans on to diesel power, it would be this one.

The 2009 BMW 335d looks just like any other 3 Series. Unlike what we see with most hybrids, there are no massive badges or stickers proclaiming this sedan’s eco-friendly status. Power comes from a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six rated at 265 horsepower and a massive 425 lb-ft. of torque. It is said that the 335d takes just 6.2 seconds to go from 0-60, and the car is estimated to return 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway.

Just like the Mercedes-Benz, the BMW 335d uses a full BlueTEC system, though here it is called the Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance. The urea solution (called “AdBlue”) needs to be refilled at regular intervals, but BMW will perform the service free of charge as part of its 4-year/50,000 mile maintenance program. Right now U.S. buyers can only get the diesel engine in the sedan; here’s hoping a coupe version isn’t too far off.



No.1 - Audi R8 TDI

Though a production version hasn’t been officially announced, there’s no doubt that if any diesel-powered car deserves the No. 1 spot on this (or any) list, it’s Audi’s R8 TDI concept.

Audi’s original diesel-powered R8 Le Mans not only changed the way people think about diesel engines, it revolutionized racing. Due, in no small part, to its miserly fuel consumption and massive torque, the whisper-quiet prototype racers dominated every racing series they participated in. Newer versions of the R-series Le Mans car appeared, as did diesel-powered rivals from manufacturers like Peugeot. Even as the various racing bodies implemented rule changes to make the field more competitive, Audi kept refining its cars and kept winning races. Audi’s latest diesel-powered prototype, the R15, just ran (and won) a flawless race at Sebring.

So, with all this race-proven diesel-powered technology at its disposal, imagine what Audi could do with a diesel-powered street-legal supercar? The original R8 street car prototype came powered by a revolutionary 6.0-liter V12 TDI. This engine spit out 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft. of torque. And thanks to its Quattro all-wheel drive system, it stormed to 62 mph in just 4.2 seconds. Best of all, this prototype was said to deliver 23 mpg.

Audi was supposed to announce whether or not it would produce the car sometime last year. While the company continues to keep us waiting, new rumors are saying that, if a production version is to be launched, it would be powered by a twin-turbo V8 TDI so as not to compete with its bigger Lamborghini siblings. Hopefully Audi will announce the production version soon -- fingers crossed.

Top 10: Fast & Furious Cars

Apparently there’s still gas in the tank for the The Fast and the Furious franchise. Fast & Furious, the fourth installment, lived up to its name, at least from a box office perspective, quickly separating moviegoers from $72.5 million of their money. That not only marks the highest-grossing car-themed flick opener (2006’s Cars was $60.1 million), it’s also the biggest April debut ever (2003’s painful Anger Management brought $42.2 million).

Don’t credit plot depth, fine acting or a profound script for filling the seats. It was -- and always has been -- the Fast & Furious cars. Like a certain other film genre that indulges our proclivities, you’re better off skipping the dialogue and focusing on the action. Here are some of our favorite performers, the top 10 Fast & Furious cars.

No.10 - 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

It looks hot and won the race against a Nissan 350Z in the “honour race” through the mountains. But as the story goes, it was with Nissan power. Granted, the engine came from a Silvia (240SX to us), but this degree of East-meets-West went too far for pony car enthusiasts. Yes, we realize it was all make believe, but even the simulation of such heresy puts this car at the back of the bunch.

No.9 - 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Fast and the Furious
Brian O’Connor’s (Paul Walker) addition of nitrous to his Eclipse put it on the fast track to become an early casualty in the first movie, but the Eclipse lived on as a go-to car for tuners, and for good reason. Cars like this second-generation model were inherently styled well as a basis for body kits, while their engines were a decent platform for modification -- to a degree.

No.8 - 1987 Buick Grand National GNX

Fast & Furious

Ordinarily, the idea of watching V6 Buicks on the big screen is about as stirring as listening to Buick owners blather about their arthritis. In Fast & Furious, however, Dominic Toretto has graduated from his Civic and uses this as his hijacking weapon of choice. It’s not just the rare, Regal-based Grand National, but the even-scarcer ’87-only GNX. This high point in modern GM performance finds a blurred Buick the result of speed, not cataracts.

No.7 - 1997 Mazda RX-7

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
Tough call here: Was the RX-7 good enough on its own or did the body kit on Han’s car totally complete the look? It’s not at all an easy decision. The final and arguably best-looking RX-7 only came to the U.S. from 1993 to 1995; the Japanese market enjoyed the full run of the last generation from 1992 to 2002.

No.6 - 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko

2 Fast 2 Furious
To non-car guys, a jumping Yenko sounds like a circus act, but in 2 Fast 2 Furious it was a handy way for Brian O’Connor to board a yacht. It caused damage you can’t just buff out, but it did save Monica Fuentes. Wasting a rare muscle car to save Eva Mendes’ character? That’s a considerable yet reasonable price to pay. In reality, even if you could find a guy willing to part with his genuine Yenko (there are plenty of clones), you would have to bring Eva along for negotiations.

No.5 - 1995 Honda Civic

The Fast and the Furious
In the real world, the Civic’s ability to intimidate semis is highly suspect, even with Dominic Toretto aboard. But then, its influence on the tuner scene is even greater than its showing on our review. Cars like this fifth-generation coupe have the gone-but-not-forgotten double wishbone suspension and were ridiculously easy to modify for stupefying horsepower. Today’s car makes a stronger visual statement out of the box, but earlier Civics like this made up for it with their potential.

No.4 - 1995 Volkswagen Jetta

The Fast and the Furious
Jesse and his white V-Dub don’t get a ton of time onscreen in the original movie, but we’re including the Jetta for a couple reasons. First, it’s one of the few European cars seen in the series. Second, it’s a solid choice for enthusiasts. Without any modifications, a stock Jetta offers acceptable performance and crisp handling; both traits are easily enhanced to meet tuners’ demands without as much effort or compromise as some more popular Asian and American cars.

No.3 - 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R

2 Fast 2 Furious
Admit it. You have a Skyline fetish -- and so does Brian O’Connor. It’s cool, that’s why we have no problem whatsoever with the frequency of these cars’ appearances in the series. The new, America-friendly Nissan GT-R is brilliant, but there will always be a mystique surrounding the all-but-inaccessible predecessor. There’s nothing wrong with the blue model in Fast & Furious, but there’s really nothing wrong with the silver car in 2 Fast 2 Furious.

No.2 - 1995 Toyota Supra Turbo

The Fast and the Furious
It spanked a Ferrari. It raced a Charger to its doom. It’s a nitrous-fortified orange crush of a Toyota Supra. Although this car got more than a little face time in the first movie (how could you miss it?), the last and fastest Supra could be considered the best, just like the final RX-7 mentioned earlier. And like the Mazda, America had shorter exposure to this generation, available here from 1993 to 1998, but it sold in Japan through 2002. Sadly, Toyota’s enthusiasm for performance hasn’t been the same since.

No.1 - 1970 Dodge Charger

The Fast and the Furious, Fast & Furious
You remember how you got all verklempt at the end of The Fast and the Furious when Dominic’s Charger met its doom? So this couldn’t possibly be the same car in Fast & Furious, right? Well, this is Hollywood, pal. If Vin Diesel can land speaking roles, shredded vintage Chargers can play Lazarus. Besides, the car is like the franchise: It’s been rebuilt and updated for another spin, but the first look was the best of the lot and the one worth remembering.