How many would consider a diesel engine for their Element if Honda were to offer it in the states.

I would love it becasue I think it matchs the Elements tough adventurous charcter.

And yes Honda does make diesels for the home market and Europe. I never considered a diesel until I had a VW Jetta TDI, a truly great engine and 50mpg to boot.

Lets here those opinions.

Um, yeah... There's no poll here.

I would trade in my 04 for a diesel. That would be nice. I am ready. Now all we need is for Honda to produce that.

Thread on the English CRV Diesel

http://www.hondasuv.com/stg/viewtopic.php?t=7878&highlight=&sid=19ad068e6c8390b904116a9580e9f6c4

Hey,

No way. I Hate Diesels. Lack of performance parts for the tuner.
Keep 'em in Europe.

Thx,
Phil

Hey,

No way. I Hate Diesels. Lack of performance parts for the tuner.
Keep 'em in Europe.

Thx,
Phil

Well, that's why the question was asked if anyone would buy the Diesel if it was offered as an option. You could order the gas version, but others might want the Diesel version. At least there would be a choice, not like it is at present.

What premium would you be willing to pay for a Diesel option? The UK CRV Diesel sells for £1,400 more.

But why limit the engine options to Diesel? Larger V6? Hybrid? The 2.0L petrol engine used in the UK CRV?

But don't hold your breath waiting for more engine options. The Element is Honda's entry level SUV, with sales lower than the CRV. I also suspect their East Liberty plant is most cost-effective if production variables are kept to a minimum. The variations that they do produce are minor - LX omits a few components and assembly steps, FWD omits some drive train components, MT v AT is a typical option choice. None have required new engineering.

Honda will need to make some changes in the next few years to keep the model fresh and attractive to new customers. But I doubt if that will include an engine change.

What is the reputation of Diesel in the US market? Does it have a tough adventurous image? There are the noisy pickups with Diesel pulling luxurious RVs. And hyper fuel efficient Diesel VW Bugs. Not many Diesel Wranglers. It was only this year that Jeep added Diesel to their Liberty options. The Ridgeland is Honda's new tough 'truck', the one they want to you buy if you need some towing power.

paulj

All good points Paulj. Having owned a 2000 VW TDI I know how good, smooth, and quiet a modern diesel can be. The Passat is again available with a 4 cylinder diesel and I believe the Element would be similar in weight proably a little lighter. I would estimate the Element would get about 35mpg with a modern diesel. The diesel would be a good choice for those wishing better fuel economy or those who do more serious off roading where the torque of a diesel is preferred. VW sells a steady amount of TDIs each year with a premimum of about $1,000 for the option, with my Jetta I had an overall averaged of 49mpg over the 65k miles I drove it.

I think I'd lean more towards a hybrid type option as opposed to a diesel option, were Honda to offer engine options in the future. I do appreciate the gas mileage marks for the diesel, but will they ever figure how to make it smoother and not stinky? When I think diesel, I think of big, rumbly, stinky trucks and that's not how I want to think of my E! It does seem that "they", especially Volkswagon, are making advances in to making diesel a more socially acceptable fuel, but in my mind it still equals "dirty". Admittedly, mine is Not the most educated opinion, just my opinion. :roll:

I think I'd lean more towards a hybrid type option as opposed to a diesel option
Hybrids are not here to stay. At least not in their current form. Owners are already grumbling that they don't deliver on their mileage claims, and they cost significantly more than a "normal" engine car. I'm not a diesel advocate, but the idea of burning old french fry grease sounds kinda cool, not to mention free if you can score an arrangement with a local restaurant. However you do have to have the oil refined before you can put it in the tank. Some folks are doing it successfully on their own.

I would take a diesel in a second. I really hope to see more diesel options as soon as US diesel meets the same standards as the rest of the world.

As for the price difference, it's true that you would have to drive a lot to start saving money with the higher mileage. For me, the reason I want a diesel is that I prefer them. I had a 2000 Jetta TDi that was absolutely great for both city and highway driving. It isn't a performance engine compared to gas motors, but is easy to upgrade with a chip.

Still, it's funny to me that people are all excitied about the great mileage the hybrids get only to find out that they're not getting the savings advertised. They're also very complex and will probably have some long-term problems. Diesels are dependably frugal and are well-known to be very reliable. To me, it makes far more sense to buy a diesel than a hybrid.

So yeah, if Honda ever decides to put a diesel in the E I'll be trading for a newer model. Honestly, if VW made the Passat wagon with 4-motion and TDI (for the US market...Europe already gets the good stuff) I would be driving that instead of an element.

I would difinitely go with the diesel. Seeing that I own a dodge diesel p/u, and know its full potentia( 775hp 1350lbs/ft of torque), and knowing what I could do with them I would positively go with one. I got my E as a daily commuter/ mountain bike hauler, and use my truck as my race car hauler. A diesel E would not replace the truck per se, but would make for a hell of a efficient driver. I get around 23-24mpg with my truck towing, so imagine what you can get with a diesel E! I think that it would be awsome! :lol:

I would pay an extra 3000 for a Turbo Diesel option as long as the towing capacity was increased a bit (perhaps b/c of increased torque) and the milage bumped to about 35mpg+...

I've already told the GF that if they offer a Diesel, I'm trading mine in.

but is there any indication that the lack of engine torque is the reason why Honda has set the tow limit where it is?

I couldn't find any specs for the UK Diesel CRV (or Accord). But it is interesting to note that the UK CRV gas engine has a 142 lbft torque rating at 4000 rpm, with tow limit of 1500 kg (with brakes, 600 w/o) and 100 kg tongue weight. Contrast this with the Element at 161 lbft at 4500 rpm (2.4L v 2.0L engine), and 150/1500 lb tow limits. A similar contrast in tow ratings have been noted for Australian CRVs. Honda USA is much more conservative in load ratings than other countries, most likely for legal reasons.

paulj

I towed and honest 1400lbs with the Element last fall and it did OK. My 5 speed E's towing performance was perfectly acceptable on flat ground, but I had to go up and over some mountains. I really had to gear down and go slow to feel like I wasn't PUSHING the drivetrain really hard.

Whether Honda set a low limit for towing because of torque or because of liability issues, there was definately a lack of torque going up those hills towing 1400lbs. The diesel MIGHT give better torque earlier in the RPM range allowing me to get up those mountains without trouble and in a higher gear. I'm really no expert, but that would sure be great on top of the increased MPG it would allow.

OK, so no love for my hybrid suggestion. How about when they do figure out how to do hybrids "right"? :-) Oh, and where's all those flying cars they promised us would be here at the turn of the century?! What's up with that?! :-P Give me a flying Element with solar panals and retractable landing gear please! ha ha :grin:

I personally wouldn't ever find myself buying a diesel. Mainly b/c of the tiny I've heard about diesel... gross, messy gas... funny sounding engines... hard to find diesel gas stations... etc. I would have, however, bought a bigger V6 Element if that would have been available. Even though I think this car has enough kick for my wife, I always try to get the better engine option when buying.. it usually lasts longer and has less problems. I feel like the Element just barely has enough power to get it around nicely. A stronger engine would have been a selling point for me.

Paulie

I personally wouldn't ever find myself buying a diesel. Mainly b/c of the tiny I've heard about diesel... gross, messy gas... funny sounding engines... hard to find diesel gas stations... etc.
Ah, the old myths die hard.

Modern automotive diesels are surprisingly quiet. A VW TDI or a Mercedes can pull up next to you in traffic and unless you open your window and listen really hard, you will be unable to tell. There are still some obnoxious diesels sold in pickup trucks, but I suspect the makers don't work very hard at sound suppression due to the look-at-macho-me-faux-18-wheeler factor.

The only thing "gross" about diesel fuel is the jerks (again, macho) who use diesel pumps and spill it everywhere. If you use "auto diesel", or, rather, stations that cater to the automobile market, the spillage is reduced.

And it simply is not hard at all to find a diesel station these days. Maybe 25 years ago (when I was driving a diesel car), but not any more. I'd say that 75% of the stations in our area dispense diesel.

As to performance? My now-ancient Diesel Rabbit may have been a little sluggish on merging relative to the gas version, but it would get to and maintain 100 mph all day if it had to, and get 45-50 mpg in the process.

>How about when they do figure out how to do hybrids "right"?

Let me define "right". First, the current hybrid concept is a bit of a something-for-nothing scam, and that's what has Joe Average Motorist ticked-off. We engineers knew what it was about going in.

"Hybrids done right" are better described as "dual power" - 100% electric for errands around town, then the hydrocarbon-fueled engine kicks-in when you're on the highway. What puzzles me is that the current crop of hybrids are selling "you don't have to plug it in" as an advantage, when actually it's a huge liability - I'd much rather have a vehicle that doesn't require a weekly trip to a gas station just because I've run to the store or back-and-forth to the train station a dozen times. Just plug it in at home when I'm sleeping, all while I'm flipping the oil companies the virtual bird. :grin:

Just plug it in at home when I'm sleeping, all while I'm flipping the oil companies the virtual bird. :grin:

One Hollywood star (Ed Baggly Jr?) has an electric RAV4. I gather from one Discovery-channel type documentary that he charges it from his home bank of batteries, which in turn get charged by solar cells and his exercise bike. I don't think he's recovered the $40,000 price tag yet.

paulj

One Hollywood star (Ed Baggly Jr?) has an electric RAV4. I gather from one Discovery-channel type documentary that he charges it from his home bank of batteries, which in turn get charged by solar cells and his exercise bike. I don't think he's recovered the $40,000 price tag yet.

paulj
That's Awesome!! I want that! :D I hope I live to see the day when "alternative" energy for vehicles is the NORM! :roll:

One Hollywood star (Ed Baggly Jr?) has an electric RAV4. I gather from one Discovery-channel type documentary that he charges it from his home bank of batteries, which in turn get charged by solar cells and his exercise bike. I don't think he's recovered the $40,000 price tag yet.
Yup. The exercise bike has such a trivial amount of energy recoverable I can't understand why he'd even bother. I guess it's there just to say that he did it.

The RAV-4e isn't available any more, anyway. Honda had an equivalent called the EV-Plus, but like the GM EV-1, nobody was allowed to own one - they were captive leased vehicles, which were returned at the end of the lease and destroyed. RAV-4e's were "ownable", if you really wanted to pony-up the $40K just to make a statement.

The RAV-4e, EV-1 and EV-Plus were all produced in response to a California initiative that forced the car makers to offer a zero-emissions vehicle ("ZEV") by 2003 or face surcharges. A minimum number (200? 300?) had to be sold to qualify, and both Honda and Toyota produced just enough for the rule. I actually saw an EV-Plus, so I count myself lucky to have seen a 1-of-300 rarity in the flesh.

While GM had by far the best electric in the EV-1, they fought this rule tooth-and-nail and managed to have it rescinded in 2002. Nobody wanted to sell EVs, so that gave everybody else permission to end production immediately.

Ford and Chrysler met this requirement through offering "neighborhood electric vehicles" ("NEV"), which are beefed-up street-legal golf carts that are speed-limited to 25 mph. Chrysler, through their Global Electric Motorcars division ("GEM" - http://www.gemcar.com) is the only one still producing electric cars of any kind.

I own one of the Ford versions, called a "Th!nk Neighbor", which is shown below (and explains why I know so much about this ultimate of automotive trivia topics).

The truth? There is no rational explanation for what you know, Mike, but that's not a bad thing, in and of itself! :twisted:

As Mike said the modern Diesel is nothing like the one many of us remember as kids. Sitting at a traffic light in the summer listening to that Mercedes and watching it belch out thick black smoke. You would think that thing is polluting so much worse than 100 cars ever would...

Well fast forward 20 years and the Euro, mostly German car companies are producing some amazing Diesel, mostly Turbo Diesel engines. There is a huge following for these sedans and SUVs. Because of this following the aftermarket has taken off. You can do anything to these engines that you can do to a gasoline powered vehicle.

In some instances the Turbo Diesels are faster, get better mileage and are cleaner burning than their gasoline counterparts.

As for speed... VW entered a fleet of Toureggs in the Dakar Rallye this year and they were all TDI-Diesels. These were the fastest vehicles in the race. They didn't win the overall victory, but they finished 3rd, 5th and 12th.

A TDI-Diesel Element would/could open a new market for Honda. It would certainly boost the mileage and cruising range nicely.

Check out the nice little ad here, click on see film whereever you see it and that should get you there:

http://www.honda.co.uk/change/

I'm another former VW Diesel owner. Traded my 2003Golf TDI in for my element. It is a great idea, it was just hard to afford the astronomical VW maintenance schedule and they have some of the worst customer service. I'm hoping once the diesel fuel requirements change in the US, more auto manufacturers will bring in their engines since just about everyone makes a diesel for the foreign markets.

Awesome mileage, low-end torque gives you a really nice acceleration feeling and no spark plugs. Downside- it takes forever to warm the engine up in winter, hence forever to get heat in the cabin. (heated seats are a must!)

If Honda started to import the Diesel CRV from the UK, would you trade in your Element for it?

The logical thing for Honda to do is wait and see if the Diesel sells well in the UK. If it does, then start selling those models in other countries. If the CRV version does well in the US, then Honda might consider importing the engines for use in the US assembly plants. Assuming, of course, that by then they haven't dropped the Element in favor of something else, or haven't come up with an even better engine alternative.

paulj

Engine options, "I like it"

I would not get a CR-V no matter what engine they put in it. The CR-V isn't good for me, can't hold bikes and doesnt have the utility that I need/want.

...VW Jetta TDI, a truly great engine and 50mpg to boot....

how was acceleration and passing power on that VW Jetta TDI?

I'd get a diesel if they make it sound like a skool bus.

how was acceleration and passing power on that VW Jetta TDI?

Its great with a manual Transmission and mountains, you don't even feel them. I borrowed a friends passat TDI and that thing got a steady 48MPG over mountains aat about 75mph. One tank was over 800 miles.

The torque is ridiculous. I want one SOOO bad for the E.

ABSOLUTELY!

I traded in a Jetta TDI Wagon for my Element - and I sorely miss my kickass mileage. It's the only complaint I have about the Element.

If it were to be offered with a TDI engine, we'd probably buy two.

With Gas at ridiculous prices, I was thinking , why not a Diesel Element?

I mean, VW sells them in NY... and you could get 35-40 mpg with a diesel engine in a Element , use used Mc Donalds Fry grease with a Bio Diesel conversion kit... and pay sub $2.00 average for each gal of fuel used ?

Or how about making the Hybrid Diesel? What about ANYTHING ElSE besides GAS alone as the ONLY choice?



Someone tell Honda to wake up already. This car is the obvious choice to experiment with alternative fuels...

Why haven't they done anything except plan to produce an overpriced Hybrid?

Well, I don't own an E, but we're considering one for when/if our 98 Jetta TDI goes and/or our 95 MB Wagon goes. All I can say is that if there was a diesel version, there'd be no questions, and we'd be at the dealer ASAP. It's got room for our dogs, lots of other goodies, etc., but no diesel option is making us hesitant.

As it is - the E gets the same mileage as our MB wagon, so there's not much in ways of an increase in savings apart from the MB takes premium and the E takes regular unleaded.

Getting back the question of hybrids costing more for maintaining the engine, remember that hybrid technology is still relatively new compared to the conventional engine. I wouldn't trade my E in for anything at this point, as it is the vehicle that best suits my lifestyle... also, I am going to wait a couple of years beforing buying a hybrid...

My wife is in the market for a new car and she drives a lot, so we are almost certainly going to get a Honda Fit over a Civic Hybrid... the cost of the fit is great and the mileage is amazing as well... the other attractive feature of the Fit is it's versatility, which is one of the very reasons we bought the E...

Pretty soon, we'll have both an E and Fit in our driveway; I am really looking forward to that!

My other car is a Diesel truck. Ignorning that the new fuel is more pricy than premium unleaded I get great mileage for an 8,500 pound truck with the aerodynamics of a brick. (But us Elementals like that!) I've modded my truck to an estimated 325+ HP and still get 18MPG.

I tow a 12,000 pound 5'th wheel with it and still get double digit mileage.

Diesels are easier to modify for more power. Chips, programmers, injectors, turbos, intakes etc. have a much greater effect on them.

I would have purchased a diesel if it was available.

Hell Yes! In a heartbeat! :D

Diesel? I think there's lots of things to take into account.
1) fuel availability - I doubt 30% of the stations here have diesel.
2) Given an increase in fuel mileage but an extra cost for the fuel and higher maintenence cost, how many miles until the break-even point? If it's over 100K then no good, to me.
3) If the gas engines can go 200K with no problems then the theoretical increase in engine life is nearly a moot point.
4) modding for more power - Yes I'm sure you can but will the rest of the driveline hold up?
My suggestion would be a small displacement diesel and a CVT transmission. then the engine could get into it's most efficient range and the transmission could do the rest.
I'm also still on the fence about dual power hybrids. Expensive parts to replace if there's a problem and battery replacement costs. Popular Mechanics did a test of the Civic hybrid and a regular Civic and determined the breakeven point to be almost 90,000 miles. That doesn't work for me.

What if I could have a 2.2 litre diesel?? Please please please.

In the UK Honda sell a Honda accord with a 2.2 litre diesel (your Acura TSX). Its their biggest seller bar none. The company I left to move over here gave us a huge (compared to the US) car allowance of the equivalent of $1200 per month. Most people bought a diesel, and when the new shape accord came out (TSX) they all bought the diesel. At $8.50 a gallon you would too.

http://www.carpages.co.uk/guide/honda/honda-accord-2.2-ctdi-sport-4dr.asp
http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/honda-accord-2.2-i-ctdi-range-1003945.html

Did any of you see the MPG figures on the links above?? FUEL CONSUMPTION: [saloon] (urban) 42.2mpg / (extra urban) 61.4mpg / (combined) 52.3mpg

The reason I say this, is the element has the old accord petrol engine and I presume gearbox, so why not the diesel engine?? Same engine must presumably mean same engine mounts so how hard could it be?? I can only guess that the new ECU would need reprogramming to match the limited gears in either the 5 speed MT or 4 speed AT.

NOW CLOSE YOUR EYES AND THINK OF DOUBLING YOUR MPG AND GOING TO THE FUEL PUMP HALF AS OFTEN AS YOU DO WITHOUT LOSING PERFORMANCE!!

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=315391&postcount=9

I'd be very interested in a deisel E. Maybe we'll even see one in a couple years, with Honda's new US Deisel engine on the way and their continued interest in increasing the fuel efficiency of their full fleet.

My wife is in the market for a new car and she drives a lot, so we are almost certainly going to get a Honda Fit over a Civic Hybrid... the cost of the fit is great and the mileage is amazing as well... the other attractive feature of the Fit is it's versatility, which is one of the very reasons we bought the E...

Pretty soon, we'll have both an E and Fit in our driveway; I am really looking forward to that!

I have an element here in the US and my wife drives a Jazz (UK Fit). My wife loves it. Small, nimble, economical, practical and the flexible seating is amazing. Your wife will love it!!!

I would trade my NEW rbm sc tomorrow if Honda did it right.

Yes, if it is a clean diesel, which I'm sure it would be. Diesel engines are good for hundreds of thousands of miles.

I would definitely buy a diesel Element. Had it been available when I bought my 2006 this January I would have bought.

Count me in. Our 2003 should have about 200K miles on it by the time Honda brings the diesel to America.

Krusty

I wouldn't... not unless someone could adequately counter the information in this article:

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:1qbhGOAyJXYJ:catf.us/publications/factsheets/Diesel_Health_and_Environment.pdf+diesel+engines+% 2B+environment&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us

I have before and would buy a diesel again. Especially as they are getting cleaner, even more economical and cheaper!

Any "body" can generate a report that paints something in a bad light, just as one can be written endorsing the same product, viewpoint or technology.

http://world.honda.com/news/2006/c060925DieselEngine/
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/05/honda_ceo_new_h.html

Having lived on both sides of the Atlantic in the last couple of years (selling my Audi A3 diesel prior to moving to the US) I only witnessed negativity to-wards diesel technology. People generally regarded it as dirty, slow, for trucks or agricultural vehicles and it would appear that there is still that love of the straight 6, V6 or V8 engine. But as petrol prices continue to rise (even has its own thread withing this forum), public perception will change and I would think that sales will grow (it happened here in Europe where we pay $8 a gallon, for both diesel and petrol).

I don't have a personal stake or bias in this debate, never really having thought about the diesel issue til recently, but there's a difference between the type of report I posted to, footnoted with references to scientific studies, and the links to the Honda press releases in your reply, with no such links to scientific studies.

I'd honestly LOVE to see a report from the other other side of the debate, footnoted with actual scientific studies, not just P.R. spin, refuting the studies from scientific periodicals which do seem to establish a significant health and environmental risk posed by diesel fuel.

I have before and would buy a diesel again. Especially as they are getting cleaner, even more economical and cheaper!

Any "body" can generate a report that paints something in a bad light, just as one can be written endorsing the same product, viewpoint or technology.

http://world.honda.com/news/2006/c060925DieselEngine/
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/05/honda_ceo_new_h.html

.

I'm a VW TDI driver now, and told the salesperson I'd be back to trade in on an Element diesel teh day it hit the lot.

Today's diesels aren't like the diesels of the past. I know you want an articulate article with scientific backing on the cleanliness of diesel, and I'm not doing that. I'm not motivated, nor do I care enough.

As I do understand it, though, there's a major difference in the way the US measures harmful tailpipe emissions versus how the Europeans measure it. To us, diesel exhaust is far worse, and to them petrol exhaust is worse. It all depends on how you measure it, and either way the toxic fumes are killing us.

The major benefit of diesel over gasoline, though, is that its more efficent. You use less, and thus produce less waste. You also use less energy to make it than you do to make gasoline, and the actual engines will last longer all of which have a net positive effect in pollution and resource waste.

Finally, when it comes to renewable, green fuels bio-diesel (which still has a long way to come) is far preferrable to E85 and other ethanol, especially corn based, fuels as it requires less energy to make it and less acerage to devote to crops.

Hybrid people like to feel warm and fuzzy 'coz they think they're helping the enviroment, and so do the diesel owners. I see both sides of this debate daily on some of the TDI forums I frequent. IN the end, neitehr has the right answer, but both have a piece of the puzzle. The end result will bring us diesel-electric hybrids that function like a diesel-electric locomotive, where the diesel generator powers the electric motors at the wheels. None of this silly dual drivetrain nonsense.

Electric cars are a fine idea, too, except for their limitations (range and the fact that you're still only diverting the source of pollution from your tailpipe to a smokestack).

Did you know that when Rudolf Diesel invented his engine, the intended fuel source was vegetable oil? Only when the German government stepped-in and forced the issue was the technology converted to refined petroleum.

...electric... you're still only diverting the source of pollution from your tailpipe to a smokestack.
Yeah, but there's the opportunity to use non-hydrocarbon fuels. Source diversity has a distinct plus side, and the ability to use different sources requires no reinvestment by the end-user.

As far as range/practicality of electric vehicles, I only need point to the ongoing suppression of existing key technologies. One especially important patent for lightweight/high-energy batteries was bought by GM when it was tested/proven to work in a real EV, with the rights then sold to oil companies for the express purpose of keeping it off the market.

Turbo diesels are so advanced now that performance would not be that much of a trade-off , if it came with a v6 diesel option not only would you get better gas but you would also get a lot more power. Just test drive a vw tdi and then say that performance is lacking. believe me its not. a diesel would also give the element a better towing option. :D

I would get a diesel too if they made the towing ability of the E at least 3500-3800lbs. :D

Absolutely

I filled out the new car owner's survey that Honda sent several days ago. In the box where they ask what Honda could to to make the vehicle better I entered "Put a diesel engine in the Element". Might be something other new owners would think about when they fill out their survey.

Around here diesel fuel is more expensive than premium unleaded. It would have to get mongo miles out of a gallon to make it worthwhile.

Still at today's prices ::

Diesel: 1,000 miles divided by 48 Mpg.= 20.83 Gal used, times 3.14$=65.41$ to go the 1,000 miles.

Gas : 1,000 miles divided by 25 Mpg.=40 Gal used, times 2.65$ =106$ to go the same 1,000 miles.


Dom

But that's assuming 48 mpg. That would seem to be a high estimate given the Es frontal area.

I also wonder how much more money a diesel would cost up front.

Yea but I can make bio-diesel and know it will work,:D I can't make gasoline. Drew:)

I would absolutely buy the E in diesel model. Hell, I'd trade my current E for it. I can just picture it now, driving around poo-pooing the scent of mexican food out the back...

In any case, biodiesel or not, that would be a preferable option. Best case scenario, I would like to see consistent performance with what we currently have and the ability to run a distilled fuel without constant sensor problems.

Put me on the list...

interesting how many members on tis froum ere former TDi owners. i was too. loved the engine and tranny, hated VW.

a diesel in the element would kick a$$! it is heavy and boxy, which works well for a diesel. also, if one were to want to use greasel (french fry oil) there is plenty of space.

the element is already kind of an odd duck that honda took a chance on, and it seems to be working. i see more element owners daily. so why not take a chance on diesel?

It also seems like the E crowd has a large percentage of ecofriendly folks that like to get outdoors and would like to be able to brew their own fuel in the garage. I know of several people with old diesel cars running biofuel but I am sure they would love to have a new car with the modern safety systems of today.

I would love the option and more power.

I was a Service Rep for Ford Motor Co back in the mid 80's when the Tempo and Escort Diesels were offered with the 2.0L Perkins designed engine.
These cars would get an honest 75-80 MPG without electronic engine controls and without a turbo.
The American market did not recognize what a great powertrain it was because it was in, how do I say it nicely, a POS body design.

A Diesel Element in AWD would be great and I'd be all over it in a heart beat.
Sign me up, put me on the list and call me when it hits the showroom!

As far as clean engines I have a different outlook. As a Master Auto tech for 30 years I can tell you several things about cars and air quality:
1. Do not stand behind a car burning pure alcohol for fuel. The exhaust will make your eyes burn, spend some time at the race track down in the pits.
2. Even when a diesel is smoking it is still cleaner than most cars.
3. Pine trees emit Hydrocarbons and should be cut down.
4. Cows and Methane emissions, no regulations there?

I guess diesel ownership is a disease. Kind of like owning VWs. I'd be all over a diesel Element that gave me around 38--entirely possible given that the Toyota Diesel RAV4 got that four years ago...but not in the US...:-(

Would love to have a diesel E. When I was shopping for a new ride I was amazed that my only options for diesel were Volvo VW Saab and Mercedes Wagons (and sedans) or a pickup. Where are all the diesel SUV's? The future of alternative fuel starts with diesel (already have a fuel supply infrastructure and vehicles) then goes to Biodiesel. There is a great article referring to this in the latest Fast Company.

And I'll take My diesel E in a silver EX AWD MT with rubbermaid panels thank you

I would go for it. The fuel economy and performance of a diesel are attractive but the longevity of the motor would be the main selling point for me.

I'd love to have a diesel E-as long as they get someone other than Honda salespeople to sell 'em! ;-)

As long as its TURBO DIESEL!!! i would most certainly pick up a turbo diesel element...

Sounds good - but what about the availability of diesel?

I assume you mean the availability of diesel fuel. If so I have a VW Passat diesel and in Florida and about every 1 in 3 or 4 stations have diesel. BY the way me Passat diesel gets about 40 mpg vs the Elements 24 mpg.

I assume you mean the availability of diesel fuel. If so I have a VW Passat diesel and in Florida and about every 1 in 3 or 4 stations have diesel. BY the way me Passat diesel gets about 40 mpg vs the Elements 24 mpg.

I think with the increasing popularity of diesel, (I saw my first Grand Cherokee 3.0 diesel yesterday), you will see the number of stations offering it increase.

The only problem I see is with the EPA for station owners. Get a permit, dig a hole, bury a tank, get another permit. Install a pump, get another permit....

Probably take some time.

Sounds good - but what about the availability of diesel?


Can you say truck stops? :shock: and for those green types (not me, I am the type that only cares if it saves me money) Bio Diesel would be pretty cool (even cooler if it saves money)

What i would like to see (being from nebraska originally) is Ethanol friendly E's... it just seems right

'scuse me RZ8 - fortunately or unfortunately, I live in New York City - not to many truck stops :)

Like a lot of previous posts elude to... Diesel is becoming more and more available... plus the MPG of diesel is pretty high so getting to a gas station in time isnt that big of a deal... any route on which Semi-Trucks travel usually has Diesel, so stops off freeways are usually good bets.

This has probably been posted before but if not here ya go. Let's hope we see more rumors of a diesel element.

http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/12/honda-element-diesel-woodie/

that is an ugly element.

Why fool around??? the Element is the perfect platform for a diesel engine and a 3.5 diesel with 120 ponies is just what we need .....:D

Why fool around??? the Element is the perfect platform for a diesel engine and a 3.5 diesel with 120 ponies is just what we need .....:D

What kind of mileage would you expect. The engine would last longer, but people are looking at the gas prices right now.

Several small threads merged into this one. Also see

Dear Honda: (Feedback Forum) > Looks like a Diesel Element is WAY in the Future
(http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42181)
Dear Honda: (Feedback Forum) > Hooray Honda has seen the future and it is diesel
(http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35059)
Dear Honda: (Feedback Forum) > Honda Diesel 2.2i from Europe (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20666)

Accessories, Care and Mods > Under The Hood / Performance > element with a diesel motor (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31502)

ad nauseam. No more new diesel threads, please.