Rumored: No Honda Diesel. We’re Bummed.

Last week, Autoblog relayed the news that Honda’s diesel engine plans were dead. That isn’t too surprising given how long the supposed roll out was delayed.

In November 2007, I published an article titled, “Your 52 MPG Accord Is On Its Way,” believing that Honda was ready to follow through on its plans to offer this vehicle to American drivers. Turns out I had the right idea, but Honda’s plans have since changed or at least have been clarified.

New Plans

Apparently, Honda has reversed course in two areas: the automaker won’t support diesel technology in North America and Honda now believes that hybrid technology can and should be expanded to larger vehicles. And, I’m not saying anything about the Honda’s hydrogen plans which I believe will start coming to fruition around 2015. I test drove the Honda FCX Clarity in November 2008 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

I won’t rehash what Autoblog shared, limited information that it is, but I can tell you that Honda desperately needs to prove itself in two areas when it comes to vehicle hybridization: the looks of their vehicles and the effectiveness of their hybrid systems. Motor Trend, by the way, thinks the Toyota Prius and Chevy Volt are ugly too.

Ugly Designs

As it stands right now, the Honda Insight is just plain ugly while the hybrid Civic is acceptable. Efficiency wise, the Insight is on par with the larger Ford Fusion but trails the Toyota Prius badly. This after Honda beat Toyota to the North American market with its own hybrid more than a decade ago.

What Honda is looking to do is to improve its current hybrid system and expand it to larger applications. Right now, only partial hybrids are used for big vehicles–namely the Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Tahoe–but full hybrids haven’t been developed for the largest models.

Larger Hybrids

In Honda’s case, the Odyssey minivan and its Pilot crossover seem to be good models to target, possibly giving Honda a huge edge in segment fuel economy if they can develop the technology accordingly. Full hybrids run on electric only power for speeds up to 25 or 30 miles per hour (47 mph with the Fusion), but that means vehicles weighing over two tons would need to do so.

As far a complete electrification, Honda doesn’t seem ready to embrace that concept right now, waiting to see how demand for Nissan and BMW electric cars shape up.  Still, the Japanese automaker isn’t about to be left out in the cold and has developed a strategic partnership with a Chinese company to build electric car batteries.

Electric Toyota RAV4? Yep.

Toyota RAV4: Electrification Available in 2012

First, a disclaimer: my wife owns a Toyota RAV4 and loves her vehicle. She drives a 2003 model and reminded me today that in the six years we’ve owned the car, it hasn’t failed us once. Very true!

Second, an electrified RAV4 is in the works.

Toyota and Tesla entered into a partnership in May 2010 to produce an electrified Toyota and we now know that the vehicle will be a pure electric version of its popular RAV4 crossover.

Prototype EV

Already, Tesla has produced a prototype e-RAV4 and has delivered that vehicle to Toyota for testing. Tesla is a leader in the pure electric market, having brought its lithium-ion powered Tesla Roadster to the market in 2008. The California based automaker says that it is working on a second model, an electric sedan, that should be ready for the market in 2012.

Toyota purchased a $50 million stake in Tesla in May according to Automotive News. At that time Toyota and Tesla announced their desire to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support. Through this arrangement, Tesla seeks to learn and benefit from Toyota’s engineering, manufacturing, and production expertise, while Toyota aims to learn from Tesla’s EV technology, flexibility and quick turnaround.

Mutually Beneficial

The relationship may prove to be enormously beneficial to both companies. Tesla has wanted to remain independent, but with a cash infusion and stake from Toyota, the upstart automaker can aggressively pursue some options it might not be able to undertake had it not hooked up with Toyota.

Toyota, though a leader in hybrid technology, could use a boost in the area of pure electrification.  Moreover, following massive recalls and product glitches for the first half of 2010, the Tesla partnership focuses everyone’s attention on some of the positive things that Toyota can do. The recalls matter and the lawsuits will proceed, but Tesla will help Toyota to “move forward” as their tag line says.

Electric Lexus

Don’t think for a moment that the Toyota RAV4 will be the only model that will benefit from Tesla electrification. Rumor has it that the Lexus RX series, already available in hybrid form, could be the first pure electric Lexus to hit the market courtesy of Tesla Motors.

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation

Resources

CNN: Tesla to build electric Toyota Rav4

Los Angeles Times: Toyota-Tesla plan to build electric RAV4 shows partnership is serious

Flex Fueled: The Current Crop

E85 capable vehicles available today.

There is a segment of American drivers who are interested in buying a car capable of running on a strong blend of ethanol and straight gasoline. For them, utilizing a home grown fuel is better than feeding the foreign oil habit, their personal declaration that American energy independence is possible.

Ethanol Ready

All cars built today are able to run on E10 fuel — 10 percent ethanol, 90 percent gasoline; but few can run on E85 fuel — 85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline.

That’s because certain corrosion prevention measures need to be taken to protect the fuel line and gas tank. When in place, placarding in the area of the fuel tank and a notation in the owner’s manual signifies that fueling with E85 is an option.

Oil Dependency

E85 enthusiasts love the fuel for a few other reasons including enjoying a slight boost in performance, low prices where widely available and the support it offers farmers who grow the corn which comprises the fuel. But, there is a loss of fuel efficiency, somewhere between 20-30 percent which makes E85 unattractive for many. And, the fuel is hard to find in areas where corn is not king, diminishing the attraction of E85 further.

For the 2010 model year, a number of vehicles are E85 capable. Let’s take a look at the run down:

Chevrolet — Select Malibus with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission or 3.5-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. HHR FWD or Panel FWD with the 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet Impala equipped with a 3.5-liter or 3.9-liter six-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Various Silverado, Avalanche, Tahoe, Express and Suburban models. Lots of Chevrolets! Indeed, Chevrolet claims to have produced 2.5 million FFVs to date.

Ford – Front- and all-wheel-drive Fusion with 3.0L V-6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.  Ford Escape in 2WD or 4WD with 3.0L V-6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Select F-150 and Expedition models.

Chrysler — Sebring hard top sedan and convertible with 2.7-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Town & County minivan with 3.3-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Dodge — Avenger with 2.7-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Grand Caravan minivan with 3.3-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. 2WD and 4WD Dakota and Ram pickup trucks outfitted with a 4.7-liter V-8 engine and paired with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Other GM — Buick Lucerne equipped with a 3.9-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Numerous GMC models paralleling offerings made by Chevrolet trucks. Various Cadillac Escalade models.

Other Ford — Select Mercury Milan, Mariner and Grand Marquis models. Lincoln Town Car and Navigator.

Foreign Manufacturers — Nissan, Toyota, Mazda and Mercedes models.

FFV vehicles were offered as far back as the early 1990s and new models are being added or existing models subtracted depending on model year. Check with the manufacturer to find out affected models or visit the Environmental Protection Agency list for more information.