Volkswagen will look to bring to market high-performance diesel models under the newly formed R performance division. In an interview with Autoblog, Ulrich Riestenpatt gt. Richter, the man in charge or Vee-Dub R has confirmed as much, telling the outlet that, “The future is diesel and all-wheel-drive.”

And while he didn’t say as much, that means we can more than likely look forward to a diesel Golf R. The notion isn’t as far from reality as it sounds either, with VW already offering a GTD model in Europe – essentially a sporty diesel with extra power and handling capabilities, inspired by the GTI.

In addition Richter says an R version of any model is possible. Does that mean we’ll see a Jetta R, Passat R or Tiguan R? Perhaps. It most certainly is a strong indication that the Beetle R is coming soon.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R

[Source: Autoblog]

For European automakers, diesels may rule the road back at home, but they’ve had a challenge convincing North American consumers to adopt the gasoline alternative. And if that’s considered an uphill battle, selling diesel cars in Japan, the land of the hybrid, is a virtual Mount Everest. To date, BMW has never offered a diesel model in Japan, but that will all change at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

As a part of BMW’s Tokyo debut lineup will be the X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance with an AdBlue exhaust treatment system so it meets the world’s strictest emissions standards.

Much of the rest of BMW’s Tokyo lineup will focus on its new turbocharged 4-cylinder engines and hybrids with the BMW stand housing the new BMW 1 Series and X1 xDrive20i. In the hybrid camp will be the 7 Series ActiveHybrid as well as the new ActiveHybrid 5 – a 335-hp twin-turbo six-cylinder hybrid.

GALLERY: BMW Tokyo Motor Show Preview

Recognized each year at the LA Auto Show, the finalists for the 2012 Green Car of the Year award have been released, spanning the gamut of possible alternative fuel vehicles. The nominee include the Ford Focus Electric, the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, the Mitsubishi i, the Toyota Prius v and the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI.

While fully electric models like the Fusion Electric and Mitsubishi i are obvious choices, the list goes on to include the Prius v hybrid, the Passat TDI diesel and even the natural gas powered Civic.

“This year’s Green Car of the Year finalists underscore that there is no single solution to our transportation challenges,” said Ron Cogan, publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “Here we have five exceptional answers to the question of how we’re going to increase efficiencies, reduce tailpipe and CO2 emissions, and decrease petroleum use. These nominees deserve to be recognized for their unique approaches in providing consumers diverse choices as cars intelligently evolve toward a more environmentally-compatible motoring future.”

Along with staff from the Green Car Journal, this year’s judging panel for the 2012 Green Car of the Year award includes Carl Pope, Sierra Club chairman; Frances Beinecke, Natural Resources Defense Council president; as well as Jay Leno and Carroll Shelby.

Last year the Chevrolet Volt took home the 2011 Green Car of the Year award.

Click here to see AutoGuide’s complete 2011 LA Auto Show preview

Chevrolet’s decision to offer a diesel-powered Cruze compact in the U.S. is a sign that GM is testing the waters to see how American’s react to the gasoline alternative. Chrysler, says company CEO Sergio Marchionne, has much more ambitious goals for the often-criticized fuel.

Starting with the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Chrysler Group will re-introduce diesel models to the U.S. The big Jeep will be followed by a diesel powertrain option for most of the company’s large vehicles.

Chrysler predicts that compared to global diesel sales that made up 8 percent of total production in 2009, the American automaker will increase that number to 14 percent by 2014.

In addition, Marchionne admits he has little choice but to also offer hybrids in the near future. Skeptical of the technology, its cost to produce and its ability to sell in significant volumes, Marchionne says new tough fuel economy standards, that will rise from a 35.5-mpg CAFE average in 2016 to a 54.5-mpg rating in 2015, are forcing his hand. “I have no other way of getting to 2025 numbers than by going to hybrids,” he said.

The first of these hybrids set to arrive is believed to be the Chrysler 300 Hybrid, which is rumored to launch in 2013.

[Source: AutoNews via CNET]

It’s happening again. Last year, Mercedes-Benz had to issue a recall on its diesel models over a leaking fuel-filter, and now they have to address this issue all over again.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), certain 2011 and 2012 Mercedes BlueTec diesel may have a possible fuel leak, which can actually lead to fires.

2011 E-class, 2012 S-class, plus 2011 GL-class, ML-class and R-class models are affected by the recall.  In total, 6872 vehicles are affected.

If you believe you might have a faulty Benz, you can either contact the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (reference recall campaign number 11V496000) or Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Chevrolet will begin selling a diesel version of its new Cruze compact sedan starting in 2012. Currently the car is available with two gasoline engines, but according to GMInsideNews, sources at the Lordstown, Ohio plant that builds the car are confirming the diesel model will arrive for the 2013 model year, with sales starting some time in 2012.

The Australian version of the Cruze (which is sold under the Holden brand) uses a 2.0-liter diesel engine making 147-hp and 235 lb-ft of torque, delivering a combined 34-mpg rating. It is not yet clear, however, if that same engine will be offered here.

Back in September GM first announced it would sell a diesel on U.S. soil, marking the first time since the 1980s that a diesel powered passenger car would be offered in GM’s lineup. At that time there was speculation that the Buick Regal would receive the diesel engine as it’s European counterpart, the Opel Insignia is already offered with a choice of several diesel powerplants including a twin-turbo 2.0-liter  CDTi Ecotec motor making 190-hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque.

[Source: GMI]

Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Review Here

Get more Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com

Land Rover will unveil the next step in its mission to become a ‘greener’ automaker at the Geneva Auto Show in just a few weeks time. Set to take the stand alongside the new 3-door and 5-door Evoque models is the Range_e Range Rover Sport.

Powered by a turbo-diesel V6 engine, mated to a plug-in hybrid setup, the Range_e can travel up to 20 miles on pure electric power and reach a total distance of 690 miles.

While an excellent solution to fuel economy and environmental concerns, hybrid diesels are prohibitively expensive for most automakers. That rule may not, however, apply to Land Rover, as many customers purchase the vehicles particularly because of their exclusivity and price.

Still just a concept at this point, Land Rover may make a production announcement for the hybrid diesel SUV in Geneva, with previous reports suggesting it would see production in 2013.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Mazda has long been rumored to be planning to offer diesel-powered vehicles in North America and an official announcement is expected at the New York Auto Show in April.

With relatively low fuel economy across its fleet, Mazda no longer has access to Ford’s more advanced hybrid powertrains. The company is working with Toyota to bring a hybrid model to market, but needs a stop-gap to help bolster its CAFE rating.

Diesels will do the trick, especially with Mazda’s new Sky-D diesel powertrain that is expected to deliver as much as 43-mpg.

What isn’t yet clear is what vehicles Mazda will offer the diesel engine in, and while the CX-9 and Mazda3 are candidates, the CX-7 is the most likely at this point.

[Source: LeftLane]

Volkswagen‘s 261-mpg XL1 concept car is headed to production, easily besting fuel economy claims by cars like the Chevrolet Volt. Unveiled this week at the Qatar Motor Show, the vehicle is actually billed as a prototype and not a concept, with Volkswagen commenting in an official press release that this latest rendition of its 1 Liter car (a vehicle that can travel 100km on one liter of diesel), puts the project one step closer to production.

In an interview with Automobilwoche, VW execs confirmed plans to build a small production volume of the car (about 100 models), with initial sales in Germany, then in the U.S. and China.

Previous to this news, Volkswagen claimed that at the introduction of the L1 Concept (the XL1′s predecessor) at the Frankfurt Show in 2009 that a vehicle based on that concept would see production in 2013.

The XL1 uses plug-in diesel hybrid powertrain, with a 2-cylinder TDI motor with 48-hp, mated to a 27-hp electric motor and using a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. Volkswagen says that due to the plug-in hybrid setup, the power contained in the lithium-ion battery pack can propel the car 35 km (roughly 22 miles) emissions free.

GALLERY: Volkswagen LX1 Prototype

[Source: TTAC]

Volvo will strive to be the first to market with a diesel plug-in hybrid, debuting a near production ready V60 wagon at the Geneva Auto Show in March. The V6 Plug-in Hybrid will get a claimed 1.9 l/100 km says Volvo, which translates to an incredible 124-mpg.

Combining a 5-cylinder turbodiesel with 215-hp and 325 lb ft of torque with an electric motor, the gas engine will power the front wheels while the car will also include Volvo’s new ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive), to enable AWD with a 70-hp motor powering the rear wheels. A lithium-ion battery pack will be used to store energy and the car will use a 6-speed automatic transmission. In addition, it will be able to travel 50 km (31 miles) on pure electric power.

“This second-generation hybrid is the perfect choice for the uncompromising buyer who wants a superbly carbon dioxide-lean car packed with driving pleasure,” says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.  “In order to get true car enthusiasts to think green, you have to offer them the opportunity to drive with low carbon dioxide emissions without taking away the adrenaline rush that promotes genuine driving pleasure. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has all the traditional properties of a genuine sports wagon. What we’ve done is to spice it up with spearhead technology.”

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Geneva Auto Show Preview here.