[BEST 4x4xFAR]

I?m holding out hope that around this time next year we will start to see turbo diesel H3?s hitting the lots as ?08s. I know it?s a bit of wishful thinking, but GM has got to be stupid to not even be considering the option. It seems similar or better performance could be had, with greatly improved fuel efficiency and even better low down torque for off-road use, from a 2.8-3.5 liter turbo diesel engine (International currently has a Brazilian built 2.8 liter Powerstroke that puts out 277 lbs-ft at 1400 rpm that is used in a lot of South American Ford Trucks and is a very popular swap in the Land Rover world).

With gas prices pushing all time highs (I wouldn?t be surprised to be approaching $5/gallon by the time the ?08s are hitting showrooms), and diesel technology very advanced (now that low sulfur fuel will be legislated in the US) I can?t believe that many would not be interested in this option. Depending upon your region of the country, diesel fuel even tends to run about the same, or lower in price than regular unleaded (my area it is consistently a couple of cents less than regular unleaded, but that will likely change with the higher refining costs of the low sulfur fuels). Modern Diesels are almost as quiet as gas engines, and can have very clean emissions on low sulfur fuel (though public perception of old, noisy, smelly diesels would probably be the most difficult to overcome, but you only have to look across the pond to see the advances in technology).

I would think such an option would provide similar on road performance (or likely even better) to the 3.7 I-5, better off road performance and would likely provide true mid-twenties mpg figures (I?ve seen many reports of modified Land Rover Discoveries (33-35? tires) with 2.8 Powerstroke swaps turning in this type of mileage on the freeway, and these are similar weight, lack of aerodynamics vehicles).