Honda's New Diesel Plans

The U.S. will have the most stringent diesel emissions rules in the world when new laws go into effect next year. Automakers have already had a tough time reintroducing the diesel engine to the American market, despite improved performance and the increased gas mileage of modern diesels — often 30% better than gasoline engines. Honda today announced it has developed a new diesel engine that will meet all the new U.S. standards and turn harmful nitrous oxide into harmless nitrogen.

Mercedes-Benz is developing a similar program, but Honda says its version is superior — big shock — because it is less complicated. Even if the engine doesn’t spur new American interest in diesel engines, it will be a selling point for the rest of the world, where diesel cars are much more popular. 

[Honda Unveils Diesel System to Rival Gasoline Cars, Reuters]

Related posts:

• Acura Will Have Diesels on the Market by 2010
• 2008 Honda Civic Type RR...The Most Powerful Civic gets 240HP
• Honda CEO reportedly rules out return to Formula One
• Video: Honda V10 F1 Engine On A Dyno
• GM plans to market small cars in the US; Idled Plants to be Re-structured

Related posts:

• 2010 Honda Crosstour: Spotted in Public
• Honda has at least figured out the production problem.
• Honda CRX Successor Coming to Tokyo?
• Honda Fury: Cruisin’ Up The Freeway
• Honda PUYO Concept Unveiled...It's Just Plain Weird!

Lexus LS 460's Automated Parking Option Dirt-Cheap

Lexus hasn’t announced final pricing figures for its upcoming LS 460 flagship sedan, but Joe Wiesenfelder sent in a missive from a Lexus event in Detroit late last night about one of its unique technological options. The company is saying the LS 460’s Advanced Parking Guidance System will cost less than $1,000 as an option. 

The nifty system automatically backs the car into a parking space once the driver has lined the vehicle up properly using a rearview camera and in-dash screen. The driver then controls the speed of the parking job using the brakes while the car adjusts the electric steering to fit into the spot. It may sound like an unnecessary option, but with a car this big any help in parking situations will be welcome. Of course, we wonder if owners wouldn't just opt for the valet. Either way, for less than $1,000 we’re betting a lot of Lexus buyers will try it out.

Related:2007 Lexus LS 460 and LS 460 L Hitting Streets in October

Related posts:

• CarGurus releases an Automotive News Feed Google Widget
• Vauxhall Insignia - European Car of the Year 2009
• Choosing a president by his… car?
• Car Manufacturers that offer CVTs
• JDM Toyota Corolla/ Blade Gets the 276HP V6 from the Lexus IS350...Watch Out VW R32

Related posts:

• Jessica Burciaga: Sweet Family Girl
• Bernie’s Yotas
• In addition by October 2008 all taxis in NYC must get 25mpg and by 2009 ...
• 2010 Volkswagen Robust
• Should the US Adopt Gas Taxes as High as Europe?

Mercedes Shows Off New CL63 AMG Before Paris Debut

Ah Paris, the perfect city for romance, food, art...and 525-hp luxury coupes? So thinks Mercedes-Benz, as the upcoming Paris auto show will play host to the company’s latest high-speed offering, the CL63 AMG. The new 2007 CL coupe hasn’t even gone on sale in the U.S. yet, but we’re already getting full info on its uber-brethren.

The CL63 AMG, featuring the 6.3-liter V-8 seen in other recent AMG models, will produce 525 hp and hit 62 mph in 4.6 seconds. Expect the price tag to be quite high — higher than the current CL55 AMG, which goes for $120,500. 

Expect an even more powerful AMG version to top the CL line above the next CL600. The previous AMG version of that V-12 model cost $179,600 and put out more than 600 hp. 

Ah, Paris.

Related: All-New 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL Class Introduced

Related posts:

• Top 10 Exotic Cars in RedLine
• The German Automobile Association ADAC was released results of a new tests ...
• CarGurus releases an Automotive News Feed Google Widget
• Reminder: Top Gear Vietnam Special Today
• Can You Identify This Car?

Related posts:

• Hamann Volcano , which basically consists of a heavily modified Mercedes ...
• Hamann Volcano , which basically consists of a heavily modified Mercedes ...
• Now, where would you find two gallons of urea on the open road?
• Would a Small Mercedes-Benz Sell Well in the US?
• RJ De Vera’s Mercedes CLS