Bob Lutz on Diesels... is it FUD?

[thedguy]

It seems a lot of back lashing lately on the Diesels and I seem to be the one posting it up. I'd just like to note that I like Diesels but I'm not one to ignore the other arguments. So please don't send someone to my home to castrate me, I'm just the messenger.

+ YouTube Video

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/13/m...ns-in-the-u-s/

Originally Posted by Bob Lutz

The tougher the emissions you meet with diesels the more the diesels fuel economy vs modern gas engines shrinks

This was a point brought up by my other "news" post on diesels.

I want that 4.5L v8 he mentioned though, I wonder how much it weighs being all aluminum, if it's in the range of a cast iron SBC or BBC, it could be a really nice setup to improve fuel economy in pre-90's American cars.

[the Interceptor]

Well, if Diesels need to be as heavily modified as he says to meet that new emission standard thingy, he might be right that the diesel loses its appeal. I certainly am with him that the diesel is not the holy grail of engines.

The main reason diesels run so well here simply is costs. You do pay more for a diesel car when you buy it here, and you do pay more taxes on it. But it uses less fuel when it's running compared to a petrol engine, and the fuel is cheaper. And you know that our fuel is more expensive than in the US, so the advantage is even bigger here. So overall, you save quite a lot of money with a diesel over the years.

If you don't have these advantages, and you have to meet though emission standards as well, the diesel might be able to do it with some research, but it might lose its appeal.

Regards
the Interceptor