While parent company Honda continues to bestow all of its hybrid technology on its Honda division vehicles, Acura is doing without any alternate engine sources to power their cars and SUVs. Instead, the division is relying on newer gasoline engines to promote fuel efficiency as well as to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Is Acura doing enough or is Hondas luxury division missing the boat? Big changes are headed Acuras way, changes that could enormously overhaul the brand and bring to the market vehicles powered by a variety of alternate fuel sources. Lets examine exactly what might be Acuras alternate powerplant offerings at the beginning of the next decade.
Diesel, Biodiesel Honda got into the diesel market late, but the companys first offerings are considered to be exceptionally good. Four cylinder powered diesel engines are being developed that will initially appear in select Honda model cars within the next two years. These new engines meet current EPA guidelines and raise the typical fuel mileage of each car by about 30%. Importantly, each engine will be able to run on biodiesel a renewable resource made of ingredients such as soybeans. Acura may get its own...