Direct injection on gas engines has the similar baby teeth what Bluetec had.
I don't mind the hassle of collecting $3600 checks on Bluetec settlement thought.
Yep, direct injection gas has had growing pains for sure, but there is a way, way more investment and much larger production numbers there right now vs. light duty diesels which are being phased out around the world. Diesels have a target on their back with all the big regulatory agencies and environmental groups. I wish diesel had a future in light duty applications, but the writing is on the wall and car manufacturers have largely given up on diesel and R&D $'s have pretty much gone away, especially after the VW fiasco that snowballed into other manufacturers. In reality, the writing is on the wall for all internal combustion in light vehicles, but gas will be around for the foreseeable future. At some point, it's going to be a big premium to get an internal combustion engine rather than electric, the government will make sure of that. I think we have ~15 yrs before that happens, but it's coming (Unless you live in CA, then it's already happening).
Some of the new direct inject gas motors are pretty impressive. The direct inject turbo I4 gas motor has become the ubiquitous choice for many manufacturers and there is significant $ being spent to keep moving them forward. They really do have a diesel feel with low end torque, but you also have the higher RPM HP. They run great, they just burn a lot of fuel. How about offering the 2.0 from MB AMG cars in a sprinter? I believe it makes over 400hp and close to 400 ft/lbs of torque. Not exactly suited/tuned for light truck use, but it would interesting until it blew up. It's really amazing what they are doing with these engines.