You've got to be kidding.

Look, Mercedes-Benz is pushing its very clean-burning Bluetec turbodiesel technology for the US market (we could see a good fraction M-B models with Bluetec turbodiesel engines as early as 2008!). If you've driven the M-B E320CDI, you know that the car runs very quietly with just about no engine clattering, doesn't have visible smoke from the exhaust and gets way better fuel efficiency than the equivalent gasoline engine! I expect the first Bluetec applications will be the M-series medium SUV, G-series large SUV and R-series "crossover" wagon, with other M-B models getting Bluetec engines further down the road.

As such, Honda doesn't want to be left behind in terms of cutting-edge turbodiesel technology. Honda already has excellent experience with the i-CTDi 2.2-liter I-4 turbodiesel engine that has won plaudits in Europe for its power, quietness and clean exhaust; that technology could be adapted for the V-6 engine that will likely find its way into the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Honda Ridgeline and later Honda Odyssey.