diesel to California, Audi now comes forth with their plans to introduce the potent ultra-low emissions 3.0 TDI engine to the U.S. next year. Starting with the Q7 and then new A4, the V6 engine produces 240hp (176 kW) and a pounding 550 Nm of torque. Finally, Americans and Canadians can experience the pull of a competent diesel engine Europeans have become so accustomed to driving.
The new low-surphur fuel introduced to North America a year ago has paved the way for the European auto makers to swoop into the market with well established diesel technology and product ready to go. Armed with statistics like 35% less fuel consumption than average gasoline engines as well as “fulfilling the toughest emission standard in the world – the LEV II Bin 5 classification, which is operative in the US states of California, New York, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont,” the 3.0 TDI plays an important role in the reduction of C02 emissions.
“According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States could save 1.4 million barrels of crude oil every day if just one third of all passenger cars and light-duty commercial vehicles were equipped with up-to-date diesel engines.
Leading market research firms such as J. D. Power predict that diesel engines will have a 12 to 15 percent share of the US market in 2015, which represents a substantial jump compared to the current share of sales of around four percent.”