Website design By BotEap.comWhile parent company Honda continues to lend all of its hybrid technology to vehicles in its Honda division, Acura gets by without any alternative engine sources to power its cars and SUVs. Instead, the division relies on the newest gasoline engines to promote fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Is Acura doing enough or is Honda’s luxury division missing the boat? Big changes are coming down the road for Acura, changes that could vastly revamp the brand and bring vehicles powered by a variety of alternative fuel sources to market. Let’s examine exactly what Acura’s alternative engine offerings could be early in the next decade.

Website design By BotEap.comDiesel, Biodiesel – Honda was a late entrant to the diesel market, but the company’s early offerings are considered exceptionally good. Four-cylinder diesel engines are being developed and will initially appear in select Honda car models over the next two years. These new engines meet current EPA guidelines and increase each car’s typical fuel mileage by approximately 30%. Importantly, each engine will be able to run on biodiesel, a renewable resource made from ingredients like soybeans. Acura may get its own aspirated diesel soon after the first diesel-powered Honda is launched on the market.

Website design By BotEap.comEthanol – Unlike US automakers, Honda has no plans to offer vehicles that can run on E85 technology. E85, consisting of 85% ethanol [usually corn] and 15% pure gasoline has received a lot of press attention lately. However, the extreme lack of service stations offering the fuel has kept demand low. Honda has decided to focus on next-generation hybrid technology instead of expanding to the E85.

Website design By BotEap.comhydrogen – Claiming that the first hydrogen-powered car will be ready for production within the next 3-4 years, some doubt that Honda will be ready to make such a move until much later. Expect Acura to only get a hydrogen-powered car several years after Honda’s first hydrogen-powered vehicle has been successfully tested in Japan.

Website design By BotEap.complug-in hybrid – To further extend hybrid fuel economy, plug-in hybrid vehicles are currently being developed. Acura’s first hybrid may include this technology once Honda reads it for the market. Toyota has a similar model ready and Ford is doing the same. 100 mpg may be a realistic figure once these vehicles are rolled out.

Website design By BotEap.comNatural gas – A natural gas Acura isn’t likely, simply because Honda is investing in hybrid, diesel and hydrogen technology above all else. Still, natural gas could be used in future fuel cell vehicles to produce hydrogen. Thus, indirectly, natural gas could power an Acura vehicle in the not too distant future.

Website design By BotEap.comSo while it sounds like Acura isn’t getting the same alternative fuel technology as the Honda division right now, it looks like all that will change in the very near future. This is good news for people who enjoy the Acura brand, but want to see it expand to include options that are environmentally friendly and promote fuel efficiency.