TopGear.com has just announced today that it will launch a new “Build a 70 mpg Car” challenge. While it’s not the readers of TopGear.com that will be building the car, they will get to select the name of the fuel-sipping V-dub.

The site has picked out a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel and will convert it into an eco-friendly 70 mpg bunny. They are hoping that their creation can do 0 to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds with a total budget of just $7,000.

The Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel was delivered in New York City and was then driven to Canada where engineers from CWS Tuning replaced the engine with a modern turbocharged V-dub TDI. The team will now head to Southern California where UCLA aerodynamics professor John McNulty will put in his two cents.

TopGear.com will cover the whole thing with exclusive videos, regular updates, live blogging and photos.

Head over to TopGear.com to learn more and follow the jump for a teaser video.

Top Gear 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel:

According to Mini Vice President Jim McDowell, Mini is considering a diesel engine for the U.S. market by 2010 or 2011. He said that the diesels that Mini currently offers in other markets do not meet U.S. clean-air regulations so Americans will have to weight until the BMW brand comes out with a next-generation diesel engine that will be approved for all 50 states.

Speaking to USA Today, McDowell cautioned that the move is “not certain.” He said that when and if a diesel becomes a reality for the U.S. it will be offered as an option across its range. That includes the Mini Cooper hatchback, convertible, Clubman and the upcoming Mini SUV.

Pricing is another factor that Mini will study closely. McDowell says that current Mini Cooper buyers end up going “out the door with $4,000″ in options.

The current Mini Cooper Diesel sold in other markets averages a combined fuel-economy of 32 mpg combined. Bosch is also testing a modified version of the car in the U.S. and reports a fuel-economy in excess of 60 mpg.

Source: USA Today (via Kicking Tires)

Along with the S2000 Ultimate Edition, Honda will unveil a hot diesel going version of the new Honda Accord at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

The Honda Accord Type S will use the same 2.2L diesel engine in the standard car but has been reworked to produce an extra 29-hp (a total of 258-hp) and an extra 22 lb-ft (a total of 280 lb-ft). The extra output and torque comes from the use of a larger intercooler and changes to the turbocharger and cylinder head.

The Accord Type S will be available in both sedan and wagon choices in Europe with two new paint colors including White Pearl and Basque Red. It will also feature 18-inch alloy wheels and Type S badging.

Of course we won’t be getting it here on the stateside but you can see all the pictures of it in March. Maybe Honda will decided to throw the uprated 2.2L diesel in the Acura TSX for us.

Source: AutoCar

BMW said today that both of their new Advanced Diesel models with BluePerformance technology qualify for an IRS Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Tax Credit. Buyers of the new 2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance will qualify for a tax credit of up to $900 while those interested in the 2009 X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance will qualify for up to $1,800 tax credit.

Both models are powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder diesel that produces 265-hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. That gives the 335d the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat while the X5 xDrive35d does it in 6.9 seconds. Fuel-economy wise the EPA rates the 335d at 23/36 mpg (city/highway) and the X5 xDrive35d at 19/26 mpg. Both models are capable of traveling close to 600 miles on a single tank.

The 2009 BMW 335d and the X5 xDrive35d SUV are both available at BMW dealerships across all 50 states with pricing starting at $44,725 and $52,025 respectively.

2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance:

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance:

Chrysler LLC will be delaying the launch of the light-duty Cummins diesel engine for the Dodge Ram 1500 until at least 2011. According to Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s executive vice president of product development, Chrysler is rethinking its approach to diesel emissions treatment in the light of 2010 federal standards.

The new regulations call for a 90 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from 2006. Klegon said that Chrysler is studying whether to use a catalytic converter or a urea selective catalytic reduction system.

He said that the business case in the U.S. for diesels is not that strong right now due to the high-price of diesel and the cost of hardware required to treat emissions.

Chrysler originally planned to launch the diesel version of the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup in 2010. A hybrid version of the Dodge Ram is expected in late 2009.

We’re guessing Audi is being motivated by the success of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The German luxury automaker announced at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show that it will launch the 2010 Audi A3 2.0 TDI clean diesel in the U.S. by the first quarter of 2010. Audi says that the model that was first was being targeted at the BMW 1-Series, Mini Cooper S and the Volvo C30, will now take on the Toyota Prius and the new 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid.

Under the hood of the front-wheel-drive A3 TDI is a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged clean diesel with common rail direct injection that makes 140-hp with a maximum torque of 236 lb-ft. Mated to S-tronic dual-clutch transmission the A3 2.0 TDI will return an estimated 40 mpg on the highway. The car is already rated a “Top Safety Pick” by the IIHS and is 50-state legal with no after-treatment system required.

Pricing for the 2010 Audi A3 2.0 TDi will be announced closer to launch.

Of course good news like this only comes for the Europeans. Volvo is introducing a new 2.4L 5-cylinder diesel engine for its S80 sedan. The new D5 engine will be available in the UK starting mid-2009 and Volvo will soon release pricing and further specification closer to launch.

What we do know right now is that the engine has sequential twin-turbochargers and piezoelectric fuel injectors that allows it to produce a total of 205-hp with a maximum torque of 310 lb-ft of torque. That allows for a fuel-economy figure of 45.6mpg (38 mpg U.S.) and CO2 emissions of 164g/km.

The new D5 engine is also equipped with ceramic glow-plugs, an innovative solution that allows cold-starting properties via a very quick warm up period.

Jaguar, now owned by Tata Motors, celebrated the end of 2008 with the 2010 Jaguar XF Diesel S. The new XF Diesel S is powered by a 3.0L is available in two version with output ranging from 240-hp and 275-hp. It is said to be Jaguar’s most advanced, powerful and efficient diesel engine ever.

According to AutoCar, the 3.0L diesel engine will also find its way under Land Rover vehicles, also owned by Tata Motors. Sources say that it may be used in the next Land Rover Discovery and the Range Rover Sport SUVs. 

You can look out for the new diesel powered Land Rover SUVs in Sept. There is no word whether the Jaguar XF Diesel S or future Land Rover diesel models will ever make it to the U.S.

Source: AutoCar

Production of the Porsche Cayenne Diesel has started at Porsche Leipzig plant. The new Cayenne Diesel will go on sale in Europe starting February 2009 with prices started at €47,250 ($67,298 USD).

The 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel is fitted with a 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel engine that makes a total of 240-hp supplied by Audi AG. It delivers a maximum torque of 406 lb-ft. Mated to a Tiptronic S automatic transmission as standard, the Cayenne Diesel returns an estimated 25 mpg.

We heard last week that Porsche may offer its diesel SUV in the U.S. since the Volkswagen Group will bring the Touareg diesel and Audi Q7 diesel to all 50 states in the U.S. A hybrid version of the Cayenne SUV is expected by 2010.

Porsche Cayenne Diesel:

• •  AJ-V6D Gen III S 3.0L twin-turbo diesel with 275-hp and 443 lb-ft torque.
• •  0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds; top speed of 155 mph.
• •  Estimated fuel-economy of 42mpg (35 mpg U.S.).

Prior to the launch of the Jaguar XF-R which is scheduled for the 2009 Detroit Motor Show next month, Jaguar has dropped the details on the new 2010 Jaguar XF Diesel S.

Powered by the most advanced, powerful and efficient Jaguar diesel engine ever, the 275-hp XF V6 diesel can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and 50 to 70 mph in 3.2 seconds. Even with that performance level, the XF Diesel S averages an estimated fuel-economy of 35 mpg. Jaguar says that it is 12 percent more efficient than the 2.7L V6 diesel XF and offers 33 percent more power and 61 percent more torque. The engine is mated to Jaguar’s 6-speed ZF 6HP28 automatic transmission.

There is also a 240-hp version of the 3.0L diesel engine available as well. It gets 16 percent more power and 15 percent more torque over the 2.7L diesel. 0 to 60 mph comes in just 6.7 seconds while fuel-economy comes in at the same 35 mpg.

Pricing for the 2010 Jaguar XF Diesel S and the 2010 Jaguar XF Diesel will be announced closer to its launch date. Unfortunately, there is no word whether the models will make it to the U.S. to take on the upcoming BMW 535d.

Click through for the high-res image gallery.

2010 Jaguar XF Diesel S:

According to AutoCar, the Subaru Impreza diesel variant for the UK has been delayed indefinitely due to the yen exchange rates. The rates hit their highest level in 13 years on Wednesday. Sources say that the company had no choice but to delay the Impreza diesel until the yen drops.

“At the current rate we would have to charge vastly more than we can justify for the diesel Impreza if we were to make a profit,” sources told the UK publication. “As a result we can’t guarantee when the car will go on sale as we can’t predict when the economy will change.”

Toyota yesterday blamed the poor exchange rates for its suffering, causing it forecast its first-ever annual operating loss in 70 years.

The Japanese government has stepped in to stabilize its currency rates in the past, but as of right now there are no guarantees that the government will take any action on the current situation.

Source: AutoCar

• •  Porsche Cayenne will be the only diesel from Porsche… so far.
• •  3.0L V6 turbo-diesel making 240-hp with a maximum torque of 406 lb-ft.
• •  Fuel-economy estimated at 25 mpg with CO2 at 244 grams per km.

The executive board at Porsche AG has given the Porsche Cayenne Diesel the green light. The executive board is confident that it will maintain its already long-term success of the Cayenne with the new V6 turbo-diesel (taken from Audi) version. Last year, Porsche sold 45,478 units of the Cayenne.

The new Porsche Cayenne Diesel will arrive in Europe in February 2009 with prices starting at 47,250 euros ($58,916 USD). Porsche says “preparations for market introduction in other countries are underway.” Meaning we may see this in the U.S. very soon.

Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery.

Porsche Cayenne Diesel:

We recently heard that Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division will launch a hybrid model by 2010. Today, AMG Boss Volker Mornhinweg said that the Mercedes tuning division plans on launching a diesel model within three years – by 2012.

According to AutoCar, Mornhinweg said the car will be high-performance diesel that will be an updated version of its legendary AMG Hammer. The AMG Hammer sedan made its debut in 1986 and was based on a Mercedes-Benz W124. It was powered by a 5.6L V8 that made 360-hp and was said to be faster than a Lamborghini Countach from 60 to 120 mph.

Mornhigweg called the car the “Super Hammer” so we’re definitely excited to see what AMG has in the works. AutoCar says that AMG will most likely pick the C-Class or E-Class diesel for AMG treatment.

Source: AutoCar

Along with the 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance, BMW will also be offering the new 2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance this month in all 50 states.

Power comes from the same turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-six diesel engine that makes 265-hp and a peak torque of 425 lb-ft. The 2009 335d can go from 0 to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds with an estimated fuel-economy of 23/33 mpg (city/highway) and a range of at least 550 miles on a full tank. We recently had the chance to drive the 335d at a Consumer Reports event and were very pleased with the performance.

Pricing for the 2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance starts at $44,725 with $900 in federal tax credit. That’s a $4,625 difference when comparing it to the $40,100 2009 BMW 335i.

Follow the jump for the high-resolution image gallery.

2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance:

BMW of North America has just wrapped up the media launch of its new 2009 BMW Advanced Diesel with two BluePerformance vehicles in a live web press conference. First on the list is the 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance. The diesel X5 will be available for sale later this month in all 50 states.

Power comes from a turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-six diesel engine that produces 265-hp with a maximum torque of 425 lb-ft. That allows the BMW X5 xDrive35d to go from 0 to 62 mph in just 7.2 seconds with an estimated average fuel economy of 19/25 mpg (city/highway).

Pricing for the 2009 BMW xDrive35d BluePerformance starts at $52,025 but keep in mind your eligible for a $1,550 rebate for purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle.

Follow the jump for the high-resolution image gallery.

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance:

According to Automotive News Europe, the next-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK will come with a diesel option to take on the Audi TT TDI.

The new diesel under consideration is the 2.2L 4-cylinder twin-turbo recently launched in the Mercedes-Benz C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition. The engine is capable of 204 horsepower with a maximum torque of 369 lb-ft. It allows the C-Class to go from rest to 62 mph time of 7 seconds. Estimated fuel-economy comes in at 45 mpg with CO2 emissions of 138 g/km.

According to a source, the new diesel is a ‘perfect’ fit for the SLK since output is high and of course since it will increase the fuel-economy of the car. Mercedes-Benz said it will build only 5,000 units of the C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. No confirmation on whether the diesel SLK will come to the U.S.

At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show Honda announced Acura will go diesel in 2009. Steps were being taken to fit a new 2.2 liter i-DTEC diesel engine for the 2009 Acura TSX but there seems to have been a hold-up – and no, it’s not because of diesel prices.

According to various sources, the i-DTEC 2009 TSX has been put on hold indefinitely. Sources say that the automatic transmission version of the i-DTEC TSX didn’t pass emissions testing since it does not employ urea injection like the diesel Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi models.

The 6-speed manual has been said to have passed emissions testing but Honda refuses to only sell a manual diesel in automatic-friendly market. On the other hand, Honda is speeding up development on the V6 TSX and we’ve already heard of a V8 RL on the way.

Source: TCC

You would think that Formula 1 racer Lewis Hamilton likes to drive a Ferrari, Lamborghini or even an Aston Martin when he’s not on the track. But while father Hamilton is out crashing Porsche Carrera GTs, the F1 racer likes to roll around in his Mercedes-Benz GL 320 CDI.

Power for the GL 320 CDI SUV comes from a 3.0L V6 diesel making 224-hp with a maximum torque of 376 lb-ft of torque. Hamilton can do 0 to 62 mph in 9.5 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph. While that’s not track worthy it still gets an estimated 18/29 mpg (city/highway).

Hamilton says he likes ”to relax, kick back and cruise,” and the GL is “just about the most comfortable road car I’ve ever driven.”

Of course, we’re guessing that the Mercedes-Benz driver helps sell some big green SUVs for Daimler.