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Diesel in the US is expensive (currently more than a dollar/gal). This is due to tax differences between the fuels. But the article makes a point that I find i

by irixusr 12y ago

Diesel in the US is expensive (currently more than a dollar/gal). This is due to tax differences between the fuels. But the article makes a point that I find irksome: "with lots of relaxed muscle available at low rpms" Diesels can't rev high (harder to burn, heavier reciprocating parts). So diesels are tuned for low rpm and they all have turbo chargers. By contrast gasoline cars can rev high, so they are tuned for it. Most gasoline cars aren't turbo charged and those that are, are given turbos for the high end. Tune a gas engine right, give it a turbo as well, and it'll get all the diesel's low end power. I like diesels, but they are absolutely non sensical in the US. - The high price of diesel cancels the mpg advantage. - The "torquey" argument is total BS (see below) - that's why a car maker includes a transmission. - Nor is engine longevity true anymore ( or inherent to diesels): an average driver's car body (or electronics, or accessories, or rods, ect) will rot before the engine dies. While I'm at it, Power = torque * rpm. There is no such thing as a "torquey" vs "powerful" engine. If you know one, you know the other. The "torque" vs. "Power" discussion is a proxy for the Power (or torque) vs. rpm and how broad it is. There is actually no reason to know the torque (unlike the curve itself) of an engine Unless you're designing the engine, when you actually have to know the torsional stress on the materials.

avn2109 12y ago
>> "I like diesels, but they are absolutely non sensical in the US." Here's a counterpoint: In my hometown, by far the best-selling passenger vehicles are the Dodge Ram diesels. And having driven a couple of them, they do feel pretty sensical (and very satisfying). Source: My friend owns a bunch of dealerships
- irixusr 12y ago
  What do you mean by sensical or satisfying? Your friend's diesel is turbo charged, unlike any gasoline powered light truck in the US. And their displacements are, for the most part, larger. Tuned for low end power, and you get the sensation of "easy" power because you don't have to rev the engine. My old grand marquis had a "measly" 200 hp from a 4.6 l gasoline, less than my sister's 1.8 T VW. My 200 were always available, my sister's golf had to scream. So what? Don't get queasy about downshifting and making your engine scream, in moderation. On a modern car, with our roads the way they are, the engine will outlast the car. Don't get me wrong. On a large pickup, and given the appropriate task, diesels make sense in the USA. But not for most people.

by irixusr 12y ago

avn2109 12y ago

>> "I like diesels, but they are absolutely non sensical in the US." Here's a counterpoint: In my hometown, by far the best-selling passenger vehicles are the Dodge Ram diesels. And having driven a couple of them, they do feel pretty sensical (and very satisfying). Source: My friend owns a bunch of dealerships

irixusr 12y ago
What do you mean by sensical or satisfying? Your friend's diesel is turbo charged, unlike any gasoline powered light truck in the US. And their displacements are, for the most part, larger. Tuned for low end power, and you get the sensation of "easy" power because you don't have to rev the engine. My old grand marquis had a "measly" 200 hp from a 4.6 l gasoline, less than my sister's 1.8 T VW. My 200 were always available, my sister's golf had to scream. So what? Don't get queasy about downshifting and making your engine scream, in moderation. On a modern car, with our roads the way they are, the engine will outlast the car. Don't get me wrong. On a large pickup, and given the appropriate task, diesels make sense in the USA. But not for most people.