Originally posted by phil:
And this will help explain why the cools diesels in Europe don't make it here:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/editorials/1105972578/

From link above, this is one of the clearest explanations I've seen of the issues:

European countries are willing to accept the additional air pollution caused by the diesel engine. The trend in European environmental policy has to been to focus on carbon dioxide, which is relatively harmless to people but may cause global warning. Diesels, because they run with an excess of oxygen, produce very little carbon dioxide, and almost no carbon monoxide. American policy has focussed on pollutants that cause real harm to people, such as the particulates emitted by diesel engines. It is a very different approach to basic public health policy issues.




Its also about the fact that the gas companies here in the US refuse to adopt the world standard for diesel sulfer parts per million content. The high tech diesels that are sold in the EU wouldnt run for more than a week on the crappy diesel they sell over here. The cost to purchase a diesel engine is a lot more than that of a gasoline engine, but while the government continues to supply the gasoline market with subsidies and leaves the diesel market to fend for itself the prices will never reflect the actual production costs. There is such terrific diesel technology out in the rest of the world that it is for all intents and purposes eclipsing the gasoline industry. Even race cars are beinging to go back to diesel (HP sells cars - TQ wins races. Carrol Smith). witness the VW Taureg V10 TT diesel, it is such a fantastic engine, and while costing an arm and a leg, is still in production and even spawned a cheaper 5 cyl version in europe. That same engine was the basis for taurus motorsports LeMans entry last year that had over 1000 lbft of torque at just off idle and while id did shed its clutch within a few hours (DUH!) showed amazing promise, it is even rumored that Audi will be fielding a diesel version of the perma-win R8 this year or next. (Taurus had to purchase a Taureg and yank the motor, VW Audi Ag. wouldnt sell them jsut the motor - wonder why . . .)
As you can see I am a HUGE fan of diesel powertrains, their emissions are safer for everyone involved both on CO and CO2 and contrary to that mentioned above, are better for emissions than gasoline engines. They have a higher content of soot particulate emissions than gasoline, but thats the same thing as dust.

Some people jsut dont get it, they are haunted by the GM/Detroit diesel crap of converted gas powertrains and do not know the up to date and fantastic diesel technology that is waiting to be discovered.

Tea 82 242Ti Proud former owner - Samantha '98 SVT #2253 Reborn Aug 21 2002 Cobra Paradise