Lexus LS 450dh4.5l Twin-Turbo V-8 Diesel / Electric HybridThe luxury market is nearly devoid of diesel engines. While mercedes and Audi say that they will be bringing more v-6 and v-8 diesel engines stateside, a Lexus LS diesel/electric hybrid could help luxury diesels reach the tipping point. you can currently buy a gas/electric called the LS 600h, but we'd be more interested in a toyota 4.5L twin turbo v-8 diesel (found in Land Cruisers outside the uS) being used to spin the electrical generators inside the transmission and the all-wheel-drive system. The gas/electric hybrid setup achieves about 22 mpg, which shouldn't be hard to beat with an efficient oil burner under the hood.
Toyota Prius3.0L I-4 Diesel / Electric Hybrid / Plug-InThe final part of the diesel takeover plan involves blowing the minds of hybrid snobs by installing a 3.0L oil burner in the toyota Prius hybrid and combining it with a plug-in charging system. It may take some time to explain to them that the diesel puts out less CO2 than the gasser, but the 302 lb-ft of torque (not counting assistance from the electric motors) should really get their attention. Add the new plug-in charging system to that package and watch as the mpg rises to new levels and hybrids lose the reputation of being glorified golf carts. Can we order one of these yet?
Honda Odyssey2.2L I-DTEC I-4 Diesel / Electric HybridMinivans get a bad rap, but they are some of the most sensible and safest vehicles on the road, so it would be a shame if the diesel revolution passed them by. to make sure this doesn't happen, the king of minivans, the Honda Odyssey could really use a diesel engine combined with the electric hybrid system being used in the Civic and Accord. the other automakers are already scared of the 2.2L i-DtEC diesel engine that Honda claims won't need a urea-spraying system to meet strict 2009 EPA emissions rules. now, combine that engine with a system that scavenges lost energy and uses it to assist the diesel during potentially dirty low-speed emissions, and you've got the recipe for a powerful and super-efficient family hauler that's already number one in the eyes of most Americans.