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Home / Research / Fuels / Experts Identify Obstacles to Clean Diesel Future /
Jay,
Still no,
On a per-torque basis, the efficiency of the diesel can be from 50-100% better. Even in small cars. But because they are slower due to an inability to revv high, they tend to pile on the torque in diesel cars so that the acceleration is roughly equivalent. Even with 30% more torque, the diesel powered BMW's, Subaru's, and Audi's will be ~30% more fuel efficient, even with particulate filters when arriving in the States. Mercedes already has Bluetec's getting 20-30% better efficiency than the equivalent gasoline powered model, with even more torque but the same acceleration. That counteracts the 13% more C02 per liter.
If they could get the price down, diesel is a good option.
And what hybrid/electric car currently has good acceleration? This may be true for some concept cars and limited-production lightwieght models, and may be true in the distant future. But as of now the best accelerating cars are good ole' fashioned forced-induction gasoline engines with conventiaonal manual or sequential-manual gearboxes.
I can see where you're going, and there is potential with electric motors, but you really haven't correctly represented any of these disciplines yet.
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