Toyota says diesels aren’t dead, might pair with hybrid tech

2024 Toyota Land CruiserDiesel engines may still have a future at Toyota, in some markets at least. In a recent interview with Australian publication Drive, Toyota Australia sales and marketing boss said diesel is "not going to die off anytime soon," adding that it remains viable as part of hybrid powertrains, "particularly for heavy vehicles." That likely won't be the...

EPA slaps Sinister Diesel with $1M emissions fine amid crackdown

Sinister Diesel logo (via Facebook)The EPA this week announced $1 million in fines for a diesel performance parts manufacturer for tampering with emissions devices. Sinister Mfg. Company, Inc.—doing business as Sinister Diesel—pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and defraud the United States, and with violating the Clean Air Act by...

Truckmakers drop lawsuit challenging tailpipe emissions standards

Tesla Semi  (Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.)A lawsuit from an industry group, challenging California’s Omnibus standard for heavy-duty trucks and vans aimed at dramatically cutting emissions, was dropped last week. The challenge came from the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA), an industry group representing a long list of vehicle makers, including Ford, GM, Honda...

Diesel Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee models recalled for stalling risk

2015 Ram 1500 EcoDieselFiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling 58,016 of its pickups and SUVs equipped with the turbodiesel V-6, badged EcoDiesel, for an issue that could result in an engine stall. The recall covers 2014-2018 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks and 2014-2016 Jeep Wrangler SUVs with the diesel option. FCA says the recall has been prompted by an investigation...

2020 Jeep Wrangler diesel rated 25 MPG, plug-in hybrid on the way

2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon EcoDieselThe 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EcoDiesel is the model that serious Jeep enthusiasts have been wanting for decades. Suddenly those considering the iconic model have a bevy of choices. There’s never been a diesel Wrangler, and it’s out at dealerships about now. There’s never been a plug-in hybrid Wrangler either, and that’s...

VW Golf unveiled: No more EV, more plug-in options, but diesel remains

New Volkswagen GolfOn Thursday, VW unveiled its eighth-generation Golf for the 45th year of the venerable nameplate, and one of the most prolific nameplates on the planet to usher the small car into its sixth decade of production. Although the car will be sold in nearly every corner of the world, equipped with one of eight powertrains, it won't make its way to the...

Fuel economy review: The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is a brawny fuel-sipper

2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiselWith the first factory-produced full-size electric pickup trucks still under development, the most fuel-efficient full-size pickups on sale from an automaker are powered by diesel fuel. At Fiat Chrysler Automobile dealerships, that’s the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. Although official EPA numbers remain pending as we write this, the diesel is expected...

California could soon close one of the dirtiest diesel-emissions loopholes

Fitzgerald Glider Kits headquarters in Crossville, TennesseeWe’ve all seen it while following big rigs: Clouds of sooty smoke coming from a single truck, prompted by an uphill grade, a passing maneuver, or sometimes seemingly nothing at all. How can that be legal? It might not be legal, but it underscores a current loophole in U.S. emissions for larger (Class 4-8) trucks: There’s no mechanism...

2020 Chevrolet Silverado diesel tops pickup truck mpg race

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 dieselFuel economy matters in pickups. General Motors announced new EPA fuel economy ratings Thursday for its 2020 Chevrolet Silverado light-duty pickup powered by its new 3.0-liter inline-6 turbodiesel. The 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 diesel will rate 23 mpg city, 33 highway for two-wheel drive models with a 10-speed automatic transmission, Chevy said...

2020 Chevrolet Silverado diesel tops pickup truck mpg race

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HDFuel economy in pickups matters. And General Motors just announced record-setting new EPA fuel economy ratings for its new 2020 Chevrolet Silverado light-duty pickup powered by its new 3.0-liter inline-6 turbodiesel. The 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 diesel is rated at 23 mpg city, 33 highway, and 27 mpg combined for two-wheel drive models with the...