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HOLY SMOKE! A DIESEL WINS AT SEBRING

Michael Rose, Tuesday, March 20 2007

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Since new diesel technologies increase fuel economy and bring emissions into acceptable ranges, the invention of Otto Diesel could once again be welcome in the US. Public attitudes are shifting as people become more concerned with the increasing cost of gasoline and the role fuel consumption plays in global warming. At the Geneva Auto Show, BMW introduced a new diesel version of the Mini that boasted 64 mpg—that’s about 24 mpg better than the best hybrid you can buy in America. The company plans to introduce diesel powered US models in 2008 and they are confident that they can meet emission standard in all fifty states.

Audi, on the other hand, has teamed with Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler to use a bundle of emissions technologies known as Bluetec that focus specifically on reducing the Nitrogen Oxide (NoX) and particulate emissions of diesel engines. Mercedes and Jeep recently announced that vehicles carrying the Bluetec badge will be available in the US. These cars are designed to meet strict California emissions standards and are therefore marketable in every state.

So while US automakers beat the gasoline-powered engine drum at home, and rush to join their Japanese counterparts in the pursuit of the hybrid market, their European competitors are out to prove that diesel can be a clean and economical choice worldwide. And, in the case of Audi, very, very fast.