Win Diesel

His story may be exaggerated to prove a point. But Scott Firth knows one thing for sure: customers should give diesel-powered vehicles a fair shake.

“I put somebody in a (diesel) car, I don’t tell them half the time,” claims Firth, general manager of McDaniels Audi of Charleston. The post test-drive response, he said, is a mix of puzzlement and elation: “This is a diesel?!”

Clearly, Firth is sold on diesels. Audi imports diesel versions of the A3 wagon and the Q7 sport utility vehicle.

A long-standing strength of the diesel engine has been its durability. In more recent years, emissions have been reduced to levels at or below gas-powered engines. And the diesel is fuel-efficient.

For instance, the Q7 averaged 27 miles per gallon in city and highway driving in a national driving test, and the A3 has hit up to 50 mpg highway, Firth said.

Moreover, diesel engines aren’t noisy or blow out smoke like they did up to a decade or so ago. But that’s the fixated image of many Americans, which is why Firth likes the blind test drive approach, so to speak.

Shoppers do seem to be catching on to the benefits of diesel engines. McDaniels has sold out of its ordered 2011 Q7 diesels through the calendar year, he said. The dealer still has gas versions available, however.

“Probably in the next four to five years, I wouldn’t be surprised if all our models (offer) diesel,” Firth said.

Diesel power is more established in the heavy-duty truck business, notably because of the long-lasting engines.

Dodge, GMC, Chevrolet and Ford all offer diesel engines on their larger pickups. Buyers have plenty of choices, too. For instance, there are 50 styles of the Ford F-350 Super Duty diesel priced from $28,740 to $50,440.

Ford offers both gas-powered and diesel engines for its full-sized trucks. “We sell more diesel,” said Louis Abidi, general manager of Summerville Ford.

“Considering the construction business is down, sales are kind of soft right now,” he said. But fleet business is picking up, as companies who purchase a lineup of vehicles are getting back into the market.

At the same time, Ford Motor is introducing a new “power stroke” diesel engine that produces heftier horsepower yet is more economical fuel-wise, Abidi said.

Along with the two Audi models, U.S. diesel cars, SUVs and vans for 2011 include the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta, BMW X5 and 335 and the new Nissan NV2500 van.

Mercedes-Benz offers four diesel options in America for 2010: the GL350 and ML350 sport utilities, the R350 wagon and the Sprinter van available in 10 styles. Thus far, information about the 2011 Mercedes models hasn’t been widely publicized.

Diesel technology has advanced to where the engines are remarkably clean. Buyers of the A3 and Q7 diesels were eligible for $750-$1,300 in federal tax credits, Firth said.

Actually, diesels may wind up as a choice for shoppers whose chief objective is to purchase a fuel-miser that’s also less polluting.

“I think people are starting to realize (that diesels can be) an alternative to hybrids,” Firth said.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com

DIESELS (2011 models, types and prices):

Audi A3 wagon, $30,250.

Audi Q7 sport utility, $50,900.

BMW 335 sedan, $43,950.

BMW X5 sport activity, $51,300.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD pickup, $27,965-$44,255.

Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD pickup, $28,805-$44,950.

Dodge Ram Pickup 2500 pickup, $27,545-$44,980.

Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup, $28,020-$49,055.

Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup, $28,740-$50,440.

Ford F-450 Super Duty pickup, $48,350-$62,375.

GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup, $27,965-$45,865.

GMC Sierra 3500HD pickup, $28,805-$45,455.

Mahindra Scorpio sport utility, $19,500.

Nissan NV2500 minivan/van, $25,450.

Volkswagen Golf coupe/sedan, $22,810-$24,535.

Volkswagen Jetta wagon, $24,730-$25,830.

Source: Edmunds.com