Thanks to technological breakthroughs, at least six automakers – starting with Mercedes on Oct. 16, Jeep in early 2007, and eventually even Honda – will be launching a fleet of New Age diesels. They promise to boost fuel economy by 25% to 40%, with huge torque and turbochargers to deliver the power American drivers crave.

Though initial models will not pass air-quality standards in five states, including California and New York, Mercedes has announced three 2008 SUV’s that will achieve 50-state standards. Honda, VW, and GM are close behind. [J.D. Power](http://www.jdpower.com “J.D. Power’s website”) estimates that diesel sales will triple to 9% of the U.S. market by 2013, compared with a projected hybrid share of 5%.

[Read](http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/10/16/8390259/index.htm “Read the Story”) (Forbes via CNN)