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Now give me that in a Civic Hatch or Fit!

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I was hoping the title would finish 'Accord only prototype hit a wall during test drive-must start over with the redesign'.

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Even if those numbers are overestimated by 10% like in most cars, that still means mid 40s mileage. Anyone looking for a sedan would have to put this at the top of their list. Consider that gas and diesel will be hovering around the $4 mark or more by summer 2009.

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OK Honda, once you've learned from the Accord, how about a diesel Odyssey? As someone who still has three small children - all in car seats - I would find a diesel Odyssey to be very useful...

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I had to look it up, just to verify: The current Accord has 3 sets of shoulder seat belts in the back seat - but is only configured for 2 LATCH car seat positions.

I want a diesel minivan!

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First of all, that 52 MPG is a highway number, and this looks like exactly the same highway MPG number as the current European 2.2 CDTI Accord.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search/vehicleDetails.asp?id=16772
So really, it's nothing new, except that it will meet US emission standards (a challenge, I admit).
The current UK MPG is 39.1/62.8 and 51.4 combined and CO2 is 145 g/km. The combined number equals 42.7 MPG US. Yes that's way better than the deceased Accord hybrid, but that's not really a fair comparison, since the hybrid had a much more powerful drivetrain (and that hybrid wasn't exactly Honda's best attempt at a high MPG hybrid).
If you compare it to similar size/weight/power cars, it's not much better (10% at most) than what's already available. Comparable TDIs or a Camry Hybrid, for example, have similar combined MPGs and CO2 emissions.

Still, it will be great to have this clean diesel option here in the US, but it's not as revolutionary as the article makes it sound.

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The VW jetta diesel due next year (2008) does NOT use urea as implied by the author.

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The author did not imply "Jetta". He said "Bluetec from Mercedes and VW". There are some VW models (the larger ones, I think Toureg and Passat but I am not sure) which will use "Bluetec". However, it is correct that the Jetta will not be a "Bluetec", and perhaps that could have been mentioned to keep things clear.

In any event, I like the looks of the Accord diesel.

I do agree though, we need some diesel mini vans. Our Jeep Liberty CRD is wonderful - but does not have enough seating capacity. That same engine is offered in the Dodge/Plymouth mini vans in Europe. I would love one of those...

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I understand that the 52 mpg is already a translation (to the US gallon size) from the effective 62 mpg in Europe.
Thus it's about a 50% inprovement on the current accord diesel in the UK.

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For the love of god, please give us a diesel Accord WAGON!!

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"a diesel Accord WAGON!!"

ME TOO!!

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Well hell, while we're wishing for more wagons, I might as well add that I want my diesel Accord wagon to have a six-speed manual!

Seriously though, this brightens my day. I imagine that this will pressure manufacturers to bring all sorts of good diesels to market.

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Hope they put this engine into the minivan to improve its currently dismal fuel economy (17 mpg city, IIRC)

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Diesel wagons, yum!

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#8 - BLUETEC is a marketing term for all clean diesels from VW, Audi, & MB - including the Jetta.

From http://media.vw.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=10061:

"The Jetta TDI is one of the first products of the BLUETEC offensive initiated jointly by Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. The goal of this partnership is to establish the concept of BLUETEC as a uniform label for clean and highly fuel efficient diesel-powered cars and SUVs with 50-state compliant engines. BLUETEC denotes diesel power plants that comply with the strictest emissions regulations of the US market."

As I understand VW's current position, the 2.0L TDI in the Jetta & Tiguan does not require urea, the Touareg does, and they are studying what to do in the Passat.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what Honda offers to the diesel market in the US. It seems to me that they bring nearly instant mainstream credibility to the technology where the German companies do not. I also read something that said that the heavier Pilot & Odyssey would get a V6 diesel a bit later than the Accord's 4 cylinder engine.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/FREE/61204019/1024/cara_submit

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Go Honda! Bring on the diesels throughout your excellent product line. I'd love to be able to burn non-petrol biodiesel in one of your vehicles. I heartily second the calls here for a diesel minivan!

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Just in case someone from Honda USA happens to read this, I would just like to echo my enthusiasm for the idea of a diesel wagon. I'd buy either a diesel Accord wagon or, better yet, a diesel Civic wagon. However, for whatever reason they don't think Americans will buy them any more. Sadly, wagons seem to have gone "out of style". As such, I'd love to see Honda bring their "Stream" microvan (similar to the Mazda 5, but lots better gas mileage) over from the Europe and Asian markets and offer that as a diesel,which would meet the needs of the wagon and minivan folks, with its forward facing third seat. Honda must think that everyone wants a large family vehicle (SUV or minivan). I know I'd buy this vehicle or any wagon diesel, if they'd just offer it!!! (For more information on the Stream, check out http://paultan.org/archives/2006/06/18/2007-honda-stream-photos/. To let them know that you'd buy it or a diesel wagon, write to Honda USA and let them know. I did. If they hear from enough of us, they'll be more likely to take action.)

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My daughter owned a 1996 Geo Metro that got 60 mpg. It ran great for 10 years and had 165,000 miles on it when she traded it in. It was a three cylinder engine that ran highway speeds easily and was very dependable. All this 50 mpg talk is a joke. We already had a good gas mileage engine.

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