The production of diesel car history started in 1936 when the Mercedes-Benz 260D and Hanomag Rekord were introduced in 1936. Since that time there have been over 25 manufacturers offering over 236 different passenger vehicle diesel engine cars. Immediately after World War II and throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, diesel powered cars began to gain limited popularity, particularly for commercial applications, such as ambulances, taxis and station wagons used for delivery work.
According to Edmunds.com, the best used diesel car is the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta was also one of the best diesel cars Canada in 2008. The most fuel efficient diesel cars include the Jetta and BMW 3 Series, Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz R Class and E Class. The diesel car markets are the same ones who pioneered various developments including Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot/Citroen, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Volkswagen Group, with the exception of Austin Rover, although Austin Rover’s ancestor, the Rover Company had been building small-capacity diesel engines since 1956, when it introduced a 2051 cc 4-cylinder diesel engine for its Land Rover 4 x 4. In fact, the 1988 Austin-Rover MDi unit (also known as the ‘Perkins Prima’) was developed by Perkins Engines of Peterborough, who have designed and built high speed diesels since the 1930’s. It is still in production as a marine engine.
Biodiesel can be obtained from vegetable oil or animal fats using transesterification. Biodiesel is a non-fossil fuel, cleaner burning alternative to petro diesel. Biodiesel is considered better for the environment. Almost any cars can be converted into a biodiesel car with a conversion kit. The conversion kits can be purchased online or at your local automotive dealership.
The best diesel car in the U.S. is the Hyundai Veracruz. The Veracruz is Hyundai’s high end crossover vehicle. Since Hyundai and Kia share engines in certain models, you might see the diesel crossover in Kia models as well. Complete engine development will be finished in 2010. BMW diesel cars have set the standard for diesel cars worldwide along with Mercedes-Benz. While BMW offers a less costly vehicle, Mercedes-Benz has been in the diesel business a while longer. New diesel cars vary in pricing from $28,000 upward.
Going green is no longer about just recycling garbage. Diesel and biodiesel cars are helping the environment too!
