MacGregorSailors.com

Well Mac fans, here's a news flash from this morning's paper.

Jeep has just released the only mid-sized SUV diesel in the USA, offered now in their Liberty. The 4-cylinder produces 160 hp and 295 lbs/ft of torque @ 1800 rpms, available with 4WD. At 27 mpg highway they quote a driving range of 500 miles. And the best news ....TA-DA .... 5,000 lbs. towing capacity!

I'm not fond of Jeep, and less so of a 4-rattle-banger, but if you're wanting a mid-size SUV that's enviro-green (well, maybe lime green?) and can still tow your Mac, check it out .... about $30,000 w/quadra-track.

Footnoted: Not available in CA, NY, VT, ME, MA (sorry).

I expect the diesel will run clean enough for those other states.
..
Diesels produce less carbon dioxide than gasoline engines, that makes the global warming crowd happy. But there isa trade between sulfur dioxide (acid rain) and soot particle emissions (that black cloud and diesel smell) that will be made easier to live with when low sulfur diesel fuel is available everywhere.
..
Diesels will be very popular and common in the USA as the price of fuel goes up because of increased demand as the third world modernizes and demands more fuel just like the USA. Then somewhere later the new fuel types will arrive.

... and the particulate filters also. peugeot/citroen is the first manufacturer that slles all diesel cars with filter. in germany filters are subsidized from next year and madatory from 2008. i recall that in europe 30-40% of (even small) cars and almost all suv have diesel engines - even the american jeeps. fuel in gemany is about 5$ per gallon.