I could buy one in freakin South Africa but not in Canada!
Well, perhaps when the Jetta TDi is ready to be replaced Ford will have it's collective heads out of it's unmentionable orifice I'll be able to buy a TDCi
Ford SA has introduced a diesel motor into its Focus range to take advantage of the growth in this market segment over the last three years.
"Clearly, diesels are becoming an increasingly important segment of the South African motor industry," said Ford marketing manager Neale Hill.
"Growth has been rapid and the volume is now approaching 4000 units a year in the C-segment alone. A turbodiesel is no longer a niche model but a vital part of the line-up.
"This is a natural move for the Focus," he added, "we would obviously like to claim our share of that growing market
'Diesels are becoming an increasingly important segment of the South African motor industry'
."
The result is the Focus 1.8 TDCi, available as a sedan or five-door hatch but only in Trend trim and powered by the quietest and most responsive small diesel I have ever come across.
I must admit I hadn't done my homework and I didn't realise that the car was an oil-burner until Hill told me - after I had driven it more than 120km along the winding roads of the southern Cape coast.
The 1753cc DuraTorq TDCi engine is based on the 1.8-litre Endura-DI turbocharged intercooled diesel motor, with its power boosted to 85kW and torque to 250Nm with a variable turbocharger and common-rail fuel injection.
Depending on the needs of the motor the solenoid of the injector is actuated and opened for a certain period of time; optimum spray preparation can be achieved through the use of suitably small injector nozzle openings and the high fuel injection pressure, resulting in almost ideal fuel injection throughout the combustion chamber
This is a car that's fun to throw around – like the old 1600 Sport, it encourages you to get a little cheeky
.
The moto also has a variable-vane turbocharger, intercooler, an "overboost" facility and noise reduction technologies. The variable vanes allow the turbo to "spool up" faster, thereby minimising turbo lag. They also allow the turbocharger to deliver 1.2 bar of boost at higher rpm for a broader torque band.
As with most modern turbodiesels, the 1.8TDCi has an intercooler to cool down the hot air from the turbo before it enters the engine, increasing efficiency and power, but the "overboost" facility on the 1.8TDCi engine is unique.
It allows the motor to develop an additional 30Nm - which takes its peak figure up to 280Nm - for about six seconds during acceleration, such as when overtaking. The extra boost is accessed when the accelerator is pushed all the way to the floor and is controlled by the engine management system.
The noise reduction technology, however is what makes this diesel so special; it uses an "accelerometer pilot control" noise sensor and constant adjustment in the volume and timing of the fuel spray (like every three milliseconds and every one cc of fuel!) to vary the speed of combustion and thus almost eliminate the familiar diesel clatter.
A dual-mass flywheel gives a smoother take-up (at the expense of an odd, over-centre action), further reducing noise and vibration.
And it works – unless someone tells you, you'll think you're driving a spark ignition engine.
Like all Focus models, the firm suspension and quick steering make the TDCi sensitive to uneven surfaces. At first the car feels a little skittish on the road but once you realise that this is a car that really talks to you and that despite its nervousness it never gets out of shape, you begin to enjoy its enthusiastic feedback and lightning responses.
This is a car that's fun to throw around – like the old 1600 Sport, it encourages you to get a little cheeky.
Full-house trim
The TDCi derivative has the full Trend specification, including power steering, alloy rims, sports suspension, disc brakes all round and a stainless-steel exhaust. Safety features include driver and front passenger dual-stage crash bags, ABS, electronic brake distribution and front fog lights.
Convenience and luxury features include an air-conditioner, radio/CD, remote sound system controls on the steering column, leather steering wheel, adjustable steering column, trip computer, electric windows all round and power mirrors.
To keep your Focus yours you get an immobiliser, bonnet lock, remote central locking, selective unlocking (hooray!), auto-lock when moving, double locking and shielded locks.
The TDCi motor only needs servicing every 15 000km – you don't even need an interim oil change – and comes with a three year/100 000km warranty, a five year/100 000 maintenance plan and three-year unlimited km roadside assistance plan.
Both the four and five-door model sells for R193 120.
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
The high oil price has pushed up raw material and petrol costs
Crude oil continued its record-breaking run, setting a new high in London amid fears that demand will outstrip supply.
A barrel of benchmark Brent Crude oil touched $53.32, the highest since trading began in 1988, before slipping back to trade at $53.10.
In New York, US light crude oil was selling for $54.85 a barrel, close to its historic high of $55.67.
A late cold snap in the US and Europe has stoked demand for oil at a time when there was little extra supply.
Dollar drop
The weaker US dollar also played its part in the higher oil prices, prompting many investors to switch out of the currency market and into commodities.
A falling greenback also cuts the dollar-denominated cost of crude for many consumer nations and funds, prompting them to increase holdings and compete for limited supplies.
Analysts are predicting that the cost of oil may climb higher still, with some investors preparing themselves for prices of $100.
Many of them pointed to the fact that oil prices stayed high, despite a report from the US Energy Information Administration that showed commercial crude oil inventories were at an eight month high.
"The market is holding on exceptionally well given the bearishness of the data," said Bill O'Grady, director for futures research at AG Edwards.
According to the EIA, commercial crude stocks rose to a higher than expected 302.6 million barrels in the week ended 4 March, the first time they have topped 300 million barrels since last July.
A report from the industry-supported American Petroleum Institute showed an even bigger rise for crude stocks, up 6.2 million barrels at 304.3 million barrels.
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
They are working on importing more diesels to the US, but because of emissions they have to be reworked. While diesel's produce less hydrocarbons they produce more tail pipe emissions in the form of soot.
I also take issue with the fact that they get better gas mileage per dollar. They cost more than gasoline powered cars, the diesel fuel is considerably more expensive. I just don't see how it is cheaper in the long run.
____________________ Honda's are like assholes, everyone has one.
My gasser Focus gets 650Km out of a tank if I'm taking it relatively easy on the highway. The Focus TDCi that I drove in Europe delivered over a thousand Km and that was driving hard through the mountains.
Diesel here is usually within a couple of cents of the cost of regular gasoline. At the equivalent to 4.50 /US gallon that I pay for gasoline here the costs level out for the premium of a diesel engine. When you start paying the same prices for a litre of gasoline in the US as the rest of the world does I think that 30-40% additional range on a tank of fuel will change the perspectives a bit.
Including the engine premium, breakeven is at 60-70,000 miles on the Jetta TDi vs the Jetta gasser. Figure the Focus numbers would work out to the same. I budget my vehicles for 350,000 miles.
Have the Jetta now and I'm going to take a look at the Smart this weekend.
Still really enjoy my Focus but it's seeing less and less time on the road.
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
I'll definitely confirm the soot in the UK is horrible! It creates a "gunk" that covers your windshield and if you really look at the buildings you can see the blackness covering the stones. I even noticed after visiting London that (Pardon the grossness of it) I had to blow my nose and it came out just like I'd been sanding primer all day. Black...it was disgusting.
Rework the damn diesels already - there is a market I don't care what anyone says! hell, we can even convert the diesels over to run on waste vegetable oils!
Sign me up!
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
Chelly
The current crop of diesels are much cleaner than they were even 5 years ago. No question that the older diesels and even some of the current truck diesels are filthy beasts.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7139645/
"British diesel sales catch up with gasoline
Study finds steady growth in demand for more efficient fuel"
