The diesel clatter can be broken down to the heavy moving components which must deal with a high-pressure high-heat environment. Remember, with

Even with 25,000 kilometers on the clock, black plumes are visible, but only under heavy throttle, a testament to our less than peachy No.2 diesel fuel and a lack of a particulate filter. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

each piston nearly displacing a volume greater than the entire smart fortwo diesel engine, you'd expect to hear some noise. Fingers can also be pointed at the positioning of the engine; its transverse application means that the exhaust exists towards the cabin rather than to the side, and it's also quite close to the cabin.

Even with 25,000 kilometers on the clock, black plumes are visible, but only under heavy throttle, a testament to our less than peachy No.2 diesel fuel and a lack of a particulate filter. European-model Liberty CRDs with the 2.8-litre engine wear the smoke-capturing contraption, allowing them to pass the stringent EU4 standards. As for North America, this might change soon with the implementation

In my urban-biased week, I racked up over 750 km, managing a respectable 10.1 L/100 km. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

of American Tier II emissions control in 2006. Adding this may drive costs up slightly, but will lower the diesel's NOx ratings and remove soot completely, making it clean enough to pass the test and allow it to be sold in New York, California, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont, the states where diesels aren't allowed to be sold to consumers. After experiencing over 60,000 inquiries prior to receiving four times the demand expected at the retail level, it's almost certain that the Liberty turbodiesel won't be killed off no matter what restrictions the regulating bodies require it to live up to.