New Diesel Technology Could Change The Industry.
Have you heard of the Audi TDI engine, or the BlueTec diesel engine of Mercedes-Benz? You might be familiar with the clattering sound, black smoke, and coarseness of old diesel engines, but all of that belongs to the past.
New diesel technology will not only change the industry, but it will also introduce new levels of performance, fuel economy, and green emissions to new cars. The Brits have longed revered the mighty diesel engine, because this power plant is the economical way to travel from point A to point B, regardless if you are driving a diesel-powered small car or large sedan.
Americans have always regarded diesel as “dirty” or second-rate compared to the gasoline engine. Others have the perception that diesels are only good for cargo trucks or commercial vehicles. But the introduction of CRDI technology will change all that.
CRDI is also known as common-rail direct-injection technology, and is the standard for every new diesel-powered car sold in America and the rest of the world. CRDI technology utilizes a single fuel line, or “common rail”, to evenly distribute diesel fuel inside the combustion chamber. The fuel is circulated and distributed via a high-pressure electric pump. Since fuel is delivered to each chamber at the exact moment, the high pressure will help to further atomize the fuel, therefore reducing engine noise and improving overall performance.
This is the reason why modern diesel cars are unbelievably fuel-efficient, and are capable of returning more than 42 MPG in highway driving. The Volkswagen Golf TDI is one such car. It uses a turbocharged and intercooled CRDI clean diesel engine to produce 236 lb-ft. of torque and 30/42 MPG city/highway.
Even GM is planning to release a diesel version of the popular Chevrolet Cruze in North America and in other parts of the world. Chrysler is planning to introduce the diesel version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee by 2013. Mercedes-Benz recently claimed that between 75% and 85% of North American consumers will choose a diesel engine over a gasoline engine, even if they have to pay a slight premium for the privilege.
This only means that market perception regarding diesel engines are slowly changing—and this is all for the better. Diesel cars made up just 1% of total US vehicle sales in 2011, while hybrid cars were more than double the amount. But as carmakers introduce new and exciting diesel vehicles in the US market, it is only a matter of time that diesels are finally given the credit that they deserve.
The Porsche Cayenne diesel was introduced to the American market at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. Porsche is known for the all-conquering 911 supercar, but what is it doing in New York, peddling a high-performance SUV with a turbocharged diesel V6 engine?
“The Cayenne Diesel, the first diesel powered vehicle ever offered by Porsche, was originally introduced to the Diesel-dominated European market in 2009. This same clean diesel technology now comes to the United States, joining the Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne S Hybrid and Cayenne Turbo models,” said Porsche during a press release.
If a company such as Porsche, known for their reliability and engineering supremacy, is willing to take the diesel plunge, then there is no reason why people should not buy a diesel car. Even though diesel cars are more expensive (in terms of price and fuel costs), the claimed fuel economy and torque delivery at low engine speeds is enough to compensate for the added cost. Expect new diesel technology to reach even greater heights in the very near future.
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