Despite our several posts on the subject, the only thing resembling real news to come out of the Audi High Mileage Marathon is that a TDI version of the A3 will be coming to America. Or, as The German Car Blog reports using our trademark phrase, not. Winding Road say it’s officially on for next year. But Autoblog Green say nein, it’s still under consideration. Anyway, while the Audiphiles duke it out over that little controversy, the real news comes to us via the Chattanooga Times Free Press, who report that VW will sell diesel versions of the Civic-fighter it will be building at the new Tennessee plant. Unfortunately, the story is too full of “green jobs” pablum from local pols to tell us if the engines will be built stateside or shipped in from parts globalized. Either way, VW seems to be continuing its diesel approach in the states, despite our high prices for the oily stuff. With VW’s hybrid development lagging behind the industry leaders, diesel makes sense for them in the short-run (if only for the universally gushing reviews). Still, the new America-only mid-sized car to be built in Chattanooga is supposed to be a big volume booster for VW. One has to wonder how much a diesel version will help that effort, barring some kind of (unexpected) increase in diesel refining capacity.

Motor Trend (MT) has it on the downlow that Cadillac is considering a Duramax diesel-powered version of the CTS. The 4.5-liter, 520 lb-ft turbodiesel fits just fine in the CTS engine bay, say GM sources, as long as the design-ruining raised CTS-V hood is used. The idea behind the oil-burning option: bridge the considerable performance gap between the 3.6-liter V6 base model and the bat-shit insane supercharged CTS-V. Oh yeah, and Cadillac’s Northstar replacement project has been canned, meaning the Duramax is all they have for the job. MT aknowledges that “a diesel CTS for the U.S. would be a risk,” but goes on to argue that there’s little downside to the project since the engine and transmission have already been developed. But as numerous half-baked GM products prove, just because you’re leveraging existing components doesn’t mean anyone will buy them. Especially if they require expensive fuel. In fact…

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I have no idea why Autoblog transcontinental trekker Sam Abuelsamid has suddenly and finally “woken up” to the fact that the U.S. new car market– indeed the entire U.S. economy– is in a deepy parlous state. But some prince has kissed our sleeping beauty. And now Sam is beginning to realize what we’ve been saying before he turned a wheel [slowly] in anger on behalf of Audi’s poorly-timed diesel-powered High Mileage Marathon: the whole project is a futile gesture. “The TDI technology used by Audi is available now with more coming to the U.S. market in the coming months. The question is will anyone be able to buy it or any of the future powertrains? Very few people buy new cars with cash. The industry relies on being able extend credit to drivers. The key element of what is happening this week is that financial institutions have become unwilling to loan money to anyone. After loaning way too much over the last decade to people who couldn’t afford to pay it back, there is now nothing going out. That creates a great deal of uncertainty in product planning. Audi made the decision to launch their new diesels in the Q7 long before this ever started and it’s unclear what their future path will be. The A4, Q5 and A3 have all been talked about as potential future U.S. diesel products, but without knowing where auto sales in general are going it’s hard to choose a direction. With Toyota already having canceled its planned diesel for the Tundra and rumors of other product cancellations on the horizon, the only thing we know for sure is that we know nothing.” Point taken.

After our last exciting episode of “How Many MPGs Can Autoblog’s Sam Abuelsamid Achieve Whilst Driving an Audi Q7 TDI Across the Country Very Very Slowly,” TTAC commentator EEGeek wondered WTF I was on about. He confessed to being “genuinely mystified as to why this topic warrants so many posts.” As my pinball machine’s genie says, “This amuses me.” I mean, c’mon, what could possibly be more boring than Sam’s auto blog? Yes, I know: it’s virtually impossible to write an exciting post about a boring subject. And I have the 320 page views to prove it. But this whole Audi Mileage Marathon thing is surreal. A deadly dull PR event to promote a technology that you can’t really buy in the States, whose future is, at best, uncertain. All while the U.S. economy goes to Hell in a hand basket. Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, this particular AB post is easily the best in the series (currently confined to Autobloggreen). Two reasons. First, it’s mind-blowingly trivial. And two, it highlights an automotive journalist named Denise McCluggage. Who are you bringing with you in the A3 TDI? McCluggage. No, I said “who” not “what.” Priceless stuff. Well, for me.

It’s cruel, I tell you, cruel! The moment Autoblog’s Sam Abuelsamid steps out of the office for an all-expenses-paid transcontinuental trek in a diesel Audi, green auto news hits the autoblosphere, rendering his journey something less than interesting. No wait, I mean, important. Or is it both? Anyway, in this case, Audi– the self same company that organized this non-event– have announced that they’re going to build an electric-powered version of their up! up! with people! minicar. “Last week at the Paris Motor Show, management board member Peter Schwarzenbauer reportedly confirmed that again to Britain’s AutoCar magazine.” And who covers this development, and leaves Mr. Abuelsamid’s Day 3 report off its AM Autoblog blogroll? Autobloggreen! When the guys back at the office ignore you on the third day of your story, you know you’ve been SITB. Hey Sam! How about blogging this bad boy for us? I mean if the highest average speed was 51mph, and you’re going from NYC to CA via Chicago, there’s still plenty of time left.

You know how it is. You step out of the office for a transcontinetal journey to prove the worth of diesel propulsion to a skeptical– not to say distracted, disinterested and dismissive– nation and bang! The whole oil burner thing blows up in your face. Well, not literally. That would be WAY too exciting. No, I mean the major diesel story lies elsewhere. This time it’s Toyota, who’ve announced that they’re NOT going to build a diesel-powered Tundra. Automotive News [sub] reports that ToMoCo NA Prez Jim Lentz confirmed that the development of a diesel-engine variant of the Tundra has been deep-sixed. While a diesel option has “not been canceled outright,” it’s been cancelled forthwith. (See how that works?) AN says “That’s a big step back from Toyota telling dealers at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention last year that a diesel would arrive by 2010 or 2011.”

Previously– on “Why the Hell Would Anyone Blog This?”– we pointed-out that there was little newsworthy about Audi’s transcontinental diesel… uh… hang on. I’ve forgotten the name of the [non] event. “Audi Mileage Marathon.” What? The German automaker schleps 200-plus journalists around in oil burners to promote the DOA technology to disinterested Americans, and they didn’t even put the word “diesel” in the title? Anyway, I predicted that Autoblogger Sam Abuelsamid’s ride across America in a diesel Audi Q7 could well provide his readers with the world’s dullest autoblogging. Obviously enough, I was right. So I won’t link you there in case you’re eating soup. [ED: More importantly, why didn’t they invite Berkowitz? He’s small, packs light and drives like a grandmother. Also, he usually brings enough prescription drugs for everybody and has a list of all the good strip joints across the country.] But we did get a press release from Audi which contains this genuine gem from Audi of America chief Johan de Nysschen: “The Audi Q7 TDI makes driving a luxury SUV socially acceptable again because of its notable fuel efficiency and ultra-low emissions.” Bet that will cheer-up Detroit! [Twenty-eight mpg so far, in case you’re wondering.]

Be still my beating heart. Autoblog’s Sam Abuelsamid is about to live blog (nearasdammit) Audi’s Mileage Marathon. Yes, he’ll be in one of 23 diesel-powered Audis that will “roll out from Manhattan’s Tavern on the Green on a trans-continental trek to demonstrate diesel efficiency.” While I respect anyone with the patience and anal retentivity needed to hypermile for at least three days– in the same sense that I respect anyone who can conjugate Latin verbs– I predict this won’t go well. And I don’t mean “won’t go well” as in something exciting will happen. More like how can a hypermiler do his or her stuff with 22 other vehicles surrounding them? Not to mention the quandry of achieving high mileage when your 23-strong fleet must accomodate over 200 journalists. And what of Justin’s suspicion that the TDIs don’t really count, as they’re Euro-spec ringers? Anyway, who cares? As we’ve reported here ad infinitum, the diesel engine thing is on the wane in Europe, and hamstrung stateside by fuel prices and an oil burning engine price premium. The most important question here: will Audi be flying Sam and his mpg-seeking cohorts back to the East Coast in coach, business or first? And how much fuel will that burn?

Warren Buffet’s recent investment in BYD has conferred a new legitimacy on a dual parallel-serial hybrid drivetrain, which combines features from both systems. And now VW has revealed its own PHEV third way called “TwinDrive.” Ohne transmission, VW’s concept car uses a small electric engine– powered by a 350 lbs. Sanyo lithium-Ion battery pack under the trunk floor– to launch its Golf testbed to 30 mph. (At which point the gasoline engine kicks in.) Electric acceleration helps overcome the limitations of a single high gear; reverse is electric-only. And drivers can engage an EV-only mode. Motor Trend reports that VeeDub’s testing the TwinDrive system with diesel engines, but gas-powered TD’s are destined for production. Production ICE is said to be a 100hp  turbocharged 1.05-liter turbocharged triple. A smart navigation-based system will calculate energy use priorities, saving battery capacity if urban driving appears ahead on the planned driving route, thus ensuring battery depletion at the destination and keeping the TwinDrive away from gas pumps unless absolutely necessary). The basic components of plug-in hybrid systems seem to have become fairly standardized. But concepts like the TwinDrive show that there are more development options than simply parallel or serial configurations.

There have been rumors floating around that GM approached Isuzu with an offer to sell its mid-sized truck business. Rumors being what they are, multiple sources now say that Isuzu ain’t interested. Japan’s Corporate News reports that Isuzu and Toyota (5.9 percent owners) execs “sounded negative about the possibility the firm may buy General Motors Corp.’s truck operations.” According to that report, the two sides aren’t seeing eye to eye on a price for the operations, proving once and for all what a bitch the used truck market can be. Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that Isuzu President Susumu Hosoi says his firm “will struggle to hit its full-year net profit target and has ruled out buying General Motors’ mid-sized trucks business.” Hosoi-san was unequivocal, saying Isuzu is not even planning on increasing its 40 percent stake in DMAX, a North American diesel engine joint venture with GM. The only place Isuzu is currently planning a new major site? Saudi Arabia, of course. No, seriously…

Despite the gloomy economic outlook in the NA car market, VW is surprisingly chipper. VeeDub’s convinced that the demand for the diesel Jetta may be higher than the forecast. “It certainly met and probably exceeded our expectations,” claims Mark Barnes, CEO of VW NA. August sales of totalled 2,417 units, 11,217 year-to-date. One reason for the cha-ching: the diesel Jetta qualifies for a $1300 federal tax credit. That put its “diesel premium” at just $770 over its gas-powered sib. VW CEO Martin Winterkorn sees the Jetta’s success as the particulate end of a NA wedge. Marty predicts a U.S. “diesel trend” based on the current oil burner’s robust powertrain and high resale values. Mike Omotoso is equally bullish. “We expect the diesel market to grow and actually overtake the hybrid market over the next seven years,” J.D. Power’s “engine analyst” remarked. Never mind the forthcoming release of the Chevrolet plug-in electric – gas hybrid Volt, the Mississippi-built Prius and the increasing popularity of frugal fours. In other words, in your dreams boys.

Oh my, where to begin. A no doubt well-intentioned David Kiley at Business Week writes in this issue about the new Ford Fiesta in ECOnetic trim. “The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can’t Have” is generous enough to accept that the Fiesta ECOnetic would actually get anything close to 65 mpg (we previously questioned the real-world drop for this model from MPG friendly European testing. Our pot shot guess was that it would be more like 44 in real life). Wherever the final number lands, it’s fantastic, though far less impressive for a tiny diesel engined car with low-rolling resistance tires. But attention-grabbing headlines aside, Mr. Kiley goes on to point out that Ford just “can’t afford” to sell this car in the U.S. You see, ” At prevailing exchange rates, the Fiesta ECOnetic would sell for about $25,700 in the U.S.” That’s a rookie error; direct currency conversion should never be used to calculate what one car would cost in another country. If so, a BMW 328i might cost us Yankees $52,000. While the theme is correct: the ECOnetic’s diesel engine, made in the UK, would be too pricey to import, Kiley suggests that Ford just can’t afford the $350 million to build a factory to produce it for North and South America. Perhaps that’s true, though the novelty-sized Capital One card in Mark Fields’ office might contradict it. But more likely, Alan Mullaly isn’t stupid. Americans and even South Americans are not interested in diesel cars. South America pumps millions upon millions of barrels of oil for cheap petrol out of the ground. Brazil runs on ethanol. And the US is the US. Credit where credit’s due. In this case, it’s not Ford’s bank account to blame; it’s their common sense.

The market for diesel technology just got a little more interesting. Nissan has announced they’ve become the first Japanese car maker to launch a diesel vehicle in Japan for six years. Nissan and Renault co-developed the X-Trail 20GT SUV’s oil-burning engine to create the world’s first Japanese emissions-pleasing “clean” diesel. The only other diesel car that meets the world’s toughest particulate regs: the Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI sedan. The Merc costs 8 million yen ($73,510); the X-Trail 20GT just 3 million yen ($27,710). Other car makers aren’t far behind. Volkswagen, Honda, Mitsubishi and Subaru are all planning to offer diesels in Japan. Meanwhile, Toyota’s pulled all diesels from their Japanese line-up (the last being the Land Cruiser Prado) and continue to push hybrids. With the Japanese government planning on placing consumer incentives on diesels meeting the new standards, and Toyota and Honda’s hybrids set to fall in price, it looks like Japanese enthusiasts will have a genuine diesel vs. hybrid debates. Lucky them.

Automotive News (sub) reports that Indian tractor firm Mahindra and Mahindra has delayed the US launch of its Appalachian pickup, built in Chennai, India. M&M's American distributor Global Vehicles was ready to start chasing its goal of 50k annual sales of the diesel four-banger light truck, when its CEO got a call from Mr Anand Mahindra himself. The message was simple: "My family's name is going onto this vehicle, and it's not going to fail." Mahindra is using the delay to log some 3.2m American miles on 25 trucks in hopes of fine-tuning it for the US market, with a particular eye on reliability. 324 dealers across the company have signed up to sell the Appalachian, but most have not yet built stores, so the delay could only help there as well. Oh, and there's one more thing… the diesel hasn't passed the EPA's new 50-state diesel standards. Global Vehicles and M&M swear on a stack of bibles that it will pass with flying colors, but with the price of diesel staying high, efficiency ratings will be crucial to the Appalachian's success. And since they've got the extra time, maybe they'll find some clever way to explain why an Indian truck has been named after a region of America. Maybe.

Wesson veggie oil, lye, high quality methanol, an old margarita mixer, and some patience; thats all you need to create your own batch of pure biodiesel, suitable for use in your average two-year old, raceworthy Jetta TDI. Sure, it looked more like something you would dip your bread in at Olive Garden, but I was not only going to be driving like a hooligan at the local SCCA event, I was saving the planet (I should sell some carbon credits)! Using directions I found on-line, I planned to whip up a five-gallon batch of biodiesel (to see if I could) in the 11th-floor confines of my apartment. Not knowing what to expect, I ended up with a huge mess, a ruined margarita mixer, and about three gallons of biodiesel of dubious quality (it was supposed to be nearly translucent). Turbidity issues aside, I put a single gallon in the tank of my Jetta, along with five gallons of regular diesel, and ran around town. No issues, so the weekend's race was on! The other two gallons were then thrown in, and the race commenced. One hundred bhp aside, the Jetta performed admirably with mild body lean, communicative steering, decent brakes, monster torque, and laughable grip. The oppressive Oklahoma heat erased all perception of driving a commuter sedan; no, I was piloting the Audi R10 TDI down the Mulsanne straight in the Le Mans! But unlike Audi, I couldn't claim victory, as I was the only one in my racing class. But my adventure in going green shall not end there. Stay tuned as I attempt to make ethanol for my Porsche!