It's always risky to predict the future, but everybody else tries to this time of year, so why can't I? Diesel is going through its biggest transformation in 50 years. Everything is changing-the laws, the fuel, the engines, the vehicles, and even the people who drive them.  To keep you up to speed, here are my 10 diesel predictions for 2008.

Premium Diesel Fuel
There's really only one grade of diesel fuel that's available nationwide. Yet, the gasoline-engine gang gets to pick from three or four choices when they go to the pump. I suspect there's money to be made from selling "premium diesel fuel," now that customers are driving $60,000 diesel vehicles. They'll call the new fuel "Number 3 Diesel," "Ultra-Diesel," or "Super Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel." Smart marketing dictates that it'll have a biodiesel base, and they'll lure performance guys in by giving it a formula with a higher cetane rating.
 
Diesel Sports Car
Audi is just itching to offer the R8 sports car (based on the Lamborghini Gallardo) with its 500hp V-12 TDI engine. Others are sure to follow suit.
 
Diesel: The New Performance Engine
Bye-bye big block. The modern diesel engine can produce more than 500 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque with excellent street manners and great fuel economy. Even the weight penalty of the diesel could fall to the wayside, now that compacted-graphite iron (CGI) and aluminum are being phased in as the material of choice for engine blocks.
 
Diesels on The Big Screen
This year's summer blockbusters are expected to showcase lots of diesels. There will be the obvious hero characters saving the day in lifted diesel-powered pickups. There will also be diesel-powered car chases and diesel trucks smashing through walls. It's rumored that The Fast and the Furious 4 will prominently feature a diesel-even if it's only Vin Diesel.
 
1/2-ton Diesel Pickup
There's a race going on between Dodge, Ford, General Motors, Nissan, and Toyota to see which will be first to market with a diesel. Oddly enough, it seems like it's a race no one wants to win. You'd think being first to market with a diesel-powered 1/2-ton would be a huge advantage in the truck market, but I suspect the OEMs may be afraid that a 1/2-ton diesel would erode the profits made on heavy-duty pickups. I was convinced the Ford F-150 would be the first 1/2-ton pickup to market with a diesel, but now I'm not so sure. A diesel would really boost Nissan Titan sales, and Dodge could step up and buy the new Cummins V-8 at any time to put in the Ram 1500. GM will offer its 4.5L Duramax in the Hummer H2 and Suburban 2500 in 2009, but I don't consider either of those vehicles a 1/2-ton.
 
Smoke Goes Away
With mainstream status comes mainstream scrutiny. The federal government has taken notice of diesel enthusiasts, and while I don't expect a crackdown on older diesel trucks, I do foresee tougher laws and restrictions on '07-and-newer diesels. A few states are planning to implement emissions tests for light-duty diesels during the next two years. That'll mean no more removal of catalysts, and guys with mechanical injection may have a tougher time passing opacity (smoke) tests than those of you with electronic injection systems.
 
Crate Engines
Diesel swaps are extremely popular. The one thing that limits them is the number of engines available on the market. Until now, the only way to get a diesel engine was out of a wrecked truck, but in the next 12 months, I expect to see diesel crate engines for sale.
 
Motorsports Go Mainstream
Sled pulling and drag racing are leading the way, but rulebooks all over the country are being rewritten to accommodate diesels where they were never permitted before. Plan on seeing diesels take records away from gasoline vehicles in NHRA drag racing, SCCA road racing, SCORE off-road racing, and FIA land-speed racing.
 
Value of Used
Diesels Will Go Up Emissions laws and complex engine technologies will cause traditional mechanical injection and early common-rail diesels to gain popularity. Due to their simplicity and durability, '06-and-older trucks will become the muscle cars of the diesel segment. Unfortunately, the supply of these trucks decreases every day as rust, accidents, and high mileage take them off the roads.
 
Diesels in Hot Rod Magazine
It's already happened: Diesels have crept into the pages of Hot Rod magazine. What I predict is that a diesel-powered vehicle will make the cover of Hot Rod within the next 12 months. It'll likely be a '69 Camaro with a 1,500hp Duramax, but watch-it'll happen.

 - David.kennedy@sourceinterlink.com