Bosch has been swearing by the idle-hands theory lately-or we at least assume so since the company has been busy producing a special common rail injection system for the new long-distance race car, the Peugeot 908. We told you about the V-12 car in the last issue of Diesel Power, and we're learning more about its state-of-the-art diesel technology developed by Bosch, which uses high-pressure pumps, piezo inline injectors, and a central control unit. The high-performance 908 will hit the racing circuit in 2007, which will include 24 Hours at Le Mans.
Meanwhile, Bosch has also been responsible for the 29,000 psi common rail system that will make an appearance in a non-race vehicle, the 6.0L V-12 Audi Q7. It will produce 500 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque (mmm, torquey); inspiration for that came from Audi's R10 Le Mans race car. As usual, if you live in the U.S., stop the overproduction of saliva now. We likely won't get to see it here.
Mini Monster TruckEurope's "it" car, the smart, is finally headed to the United States in 2008. While the petite models (the fortwo, for example, is 8.24 feet long) are already conversation pieces, we got much more talkative about this off-road hybrid. The forfun2 concept's engine (an OM 352 six-cylinder diesel), chassis, and transmission are borrowed from a Unimog, and it has 56-inch rubber and about 25 inches of ground clearance, making its overall height around 12 feet. It has specially tuned off-road shocks and air suspension.
'08 Power StrokeThe all-new 6.4L Power Stroke that'll be available for the '08 Ford Super Duty (on sale January 1, 2007) will be cleaner than its predecessor and make at least 350 hp at 3,000 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm via a high-pressure common rail fuel system, piezo electronic fuel injectors, and advanced diesel particulate filtering. It can be paired to a six-speed manual with Overdrive or the TorqShift five-speed automatic; both utilize a new mounting system, which should cure the vibration issues once familiar to the diesel truck.
Also, are you keeping up on the 26 years of Henry Ford Technology Award recipients? Of course you are. Then know that the team behind the Super Duty's diesel particulate filter scored a prize.
Honda's Next-Generation Diesel
It's promised to reduce exhaust gas emissions to the levels of a gas engine. It will use a new nitrogen oxide catalytic converter designed for detoxifying nitrogen oxide and making it into nitrogen. It's meant to work with the 2.2/CTDI diesel engine introduced in Europe in 2003 for the Accord. We're talking all about Honda's new diesel engine, whose star is that nitrogen oxide catalytic converter. With advanced combustion control, Honda says it can send cleaner exhaust to the nitrogen oxide cat, reducing fuel-injection time with a 29,000 psi common rail injection system and improving the EGR's efficiency. All said, it's been engineered to reduce nitrogen oxides and soot and bump up the power, to boot. This is the design Honda has been promising will hit the United States in about three years.
GM's New Warranty
For '07 models, General Motors has expanded its warranty coverage to 100,000 miles or five years in Canada and North America. The transferable powertrain limited warranty will not have a deductible. Also watch for expanded roadside assistance and courtesy rides. Meanwhile, pricing for the Silverado and Sierra Classic pickups should be pretty identical to '06 models.