Comments on: GM Invests $69 Million in Diesel Engine

By: SWEET STUFF

SWEET STUFF — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:38:15 +0000

please comment sweet stuff back at http://www.myspace.com/smart_15

By: SWKQA;WO

SWKQA;WO — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:35:27 +0000

WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH HYBIRD CARS

By: sweetstuff

sweetstuff — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:33:21 +0000

what do you think about a hybrid car? Do you like the idea of all cars becomming hybrid? If you have any ideas as to where I can find this information please let me know?
school project

thanks,yall

By: Goldberg

Goldberg — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:00:12 +0000

I was given as sort of a wedding present a 80's Ford Tempo Diesel by in my Father-in-law. Not sure if he really liked me..LOL He had rebuilt the motor as he's an old-school diesel mechanic. Was a Mazda diesel i think, not sure how many were produced / sold. No turbo, but it was 5 speed and it was SLLLOOOWWW as heck. Did get 44-48 mpg pretty much anywhere you drove it. We thought the fuel gauge was broken it would go forever before you saw the gauge move any. But this car handled so terrible, I mean like worse than a old 60's car on bias ply tires. It was dangerous to try to drive it at modern speeds. Poured parts into it for brakes and struts, tires, vac pump, etc before I finally sold it for $1000.

He was also given a Ford Escort Diesel, same vintage.

Ford was trying back then, but it would have been a lot better with a turbo and a decent chassis to put it in.

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:30:56 +0000

The problem with gas turbines is they're high fuel consumption.

Don't forget, that the Chrysler Turbine Car was also loud (like a jet engine), and gave off 600degree F exhaust causing pavement problems.

By: fhfr3impalass

fhfr3impalass — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:25:34 +0000

Come on guys, you know what the ultimate Hybrid is don’t you? It’s a gas turbine powered alternator that runs at a steady, optimum speed for max economy and electrical power output. Add to that the best battery and motor technology and you have it. The power generation unit could be packaged to fit in many different locations in the vehicle, not just ‘under the hood’. It can be made to run on multiple fuels, Chrysler proved that in the early sixties with the ‘Turbine’ car. My neighbor was a calibrator on that project and I watched him pour just about anything that would burn, even Diesel, into the fuel tank and drive it around Detroit!

By: domboy

domboy — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:54:06 +0000

Kfly – My thoughts exactly!! But the US automakers actually do sell small diesel cars in Europe! For crying out loud!

By: Kfly

Kfly — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:18:05 +0000

Sure GMs interest in diesel is a good sign. But when will they get around to putting diesels in their compact cars and sedans. It seems like they have released or provided a concept car for just about every far fetched or not quite ready for the market idea out there. But they have not yet done what is already achieved by virtually every small car manufacturer in Europe. Small cars with high efficiency diesel.

With the marketing power of GM I think they would be able to shake the stigma diesel has in the US, if they actually put some effort into it. Look at how much they push E85.

By: domboy

domboy — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:11:35 +0000

I for one am happy the news posters are including diesel and electric in addition to hybrids in their postings. The more choices we have the better, as they each have the strong and weak points.

By: sean

sean — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:50:08 +0000

Well, hybrids can be diesel AND electricity, not necessarily petrol AND electricity.
Generally speaking, hybrids can be of any more than one source of power, I think.