I believe they were just using a clever way of saying never. Diesel isn't going to take over because the power curves suck even for ordinary driving (fuel efficiency isn't nearly enough to compensate), and fuel cells may be viable someday, but don't hold your breath until at least 2030 or 2040, because they're insanely expensive even after twenty plus years of desperately trying to make them cheaper (plus, you are right about hydrogen distribution, though at the cost of fuel cells, anyone starting a fleet of cars could probably afford to own their own private line of fuel stations too).

 

I'm sorry, I don't speak Spanish. What does "desesperado" mean? Nah, I just think the stars might line up for TDI. On the push side, fuel costs are going up, CAFE standards are going up. On the pull side, US diesel fuel standards are going up, and very high pressure injectors are getting much more common (ie,. in several new GDI engines). TDI seems like a solution that has most of the pieces in place at the right time.

I am curious to know about performance aspect of it. I had heard about the increased refinement of the TDI in Europe, noticed that the hot rod truck community is starting to develop aftermarket racing and performance products, and then I saw this announcement about the "Sportback" Paris-to-Dakar running a TDI with some pretty nice specs. But maybe the TDI's are as bad as Aestival says for most driving situations.

 

You guys are right. We'll never see any sporty TDI's over here, b/c they're only ever going to send them to Australia:

http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_1099...wsarticle.html

An X5 with 268 hp & 417 ft-lbs tq. Hmmm. Obviously not good enough for the US market. Wait, we're getting a little closer. Here's a twin-turbo 3 Series coming to . . . Canada: http://autos.canada.com/news/story.h...c-5b96699512fd. How outlandish! How bizzare! That will never happen here. Why would we want a sedan with "an output of 265 hp and peak torque of an astonishing 425 lb-ft., providing sports-car-like acceleration and a new level of fuel efficiency and emission reduction"? Never happen.

And check out the awful power curve on this little 2 liter TDI BMW has the nerve to try to pass off on the Europeans:

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/24/f...-turbo-diesel/

That is miserable, isn't it?

 

That's not even a prediction.
That IS happening.
Gas prices will soar above $5 before the summer is up.
It's already $4.86 @89 in Cali.
An at $4.99 on mid-premium.

Diesel is going up with the gas prices.
We are already in a fuel crisis, that is why there is a race for more fuel efficiency.
Look what happened to Ford. They have to figure out what they are going to do about all the trucks that they produced that aren't selling. They are including all kinds of incentives to gas cards, discounted gas etc.
For those who are really interested on the world politics and all of the events that will effect our fuel, global and financial, let me know, i will give you REAL site to go to that will educate you. (it's much more serious then you can imagine)
Diesel powered cars may not make it here to the stateside.

oh well.
I am buying a horse and a donkey.

 

We are not in a fuel crisis. There are no lines, rationing, or stations closing down due to no product. We are in an oil panic due to dimished supply potential. There is more than enough oil for 100's of years. The enviro people do not want to burn fossil fuel based on their belief it causes global warming. Hence, the lack of exploration in the U.S.. Just not a priority...yet. But if the political tides change, we will be very happy to tap that 800 billion barrels in Colorado!!!

 

We are in a fuel crisis. There doesn't have to be lines, rationings or anything of that nature to prove that.
And oil is a mainstream source for fuel. What you are not seeing is that there are new countries that are demanding oil for their new found technologies. When other countries advance, the demand for world fuel goes up. Not just the US. So the supply is lmited to the US vs the world.
And according to the U.N Food and Agriculture, hyperinflation and shortages in supplies of edible oils which are being diverted from food stocks to feed the Western craze for biodiesel fuels is wreaking havoc in poorer nations, especially in Southeast Asia, where such oils are a major source of dietary protein.

And Obama's financial advisor has his own personal agenda that will cause more consumption and waste of our global fuel causing more inflation to our economy

And McCain, well...let's not say who's lapdog he was for the past 8 yrs.

So there goes your prediction for the next 8 years.
And that lil tap your speaking of is for corrupt individuals to sell at the highest bidder. Worldwide

Its the sum of the parts that equals the means, and the contradiction in western thought is that there is no means to the end.
It's just their money. No priority if there is nothing to gain from it.
???wtf is that about???

So, for the R/A. I am gettin one.
F*** it.
LOL

 

think it means desperate

 

All self imposed on us by lack of advancement in developing our own resources. So we continue to send billions overseas, waste billions more subsidizing stupid ideas like ethanol which as stated is hurting world food supply and prices. The only reason we have to worry about the WORLD is because we have refused to make the effort to severe the mid east oil umbilical cord. Take care of business at home (drill) and you have no worries about the rest of the world and the supply problems they will have.

 

Exactly.

So you know.
And you also know, it ain't happening.
Not for another "100" years.
And by then, everyone alive today will be dead.
So the idea must recycle before that sensible solution is the most fundamental.
So until you can "drill" that idea into a nation who is too much of a chicken**** to
take what is righft fully theirs, the gas prices for our s' is coming out of our own flattened pockets.
I mean I know it's just gas, but the bubble hasn't broke yet.

Unless.....YOU run for president.

 

Yeah chino haha, a little joke
His nickname is desperado (at first glance thought it was desesperado)

By the way desperado, I agree that the 335d has a great engine, great perfomance for being a diesel and much better fuel economy. Nonetheless, a test drive would be needed to see how it sounds and how it performs because of the different behaviour vrs the gasoline counterpart.

 

For heaven's sake, have you ever even driven a 'sporty' diesel? There's a reason why they're loathed by just about everyone, and it starts with the fact that peak torque at low RPM is just about completely useless -- enjoy all that torque when you use your fancy car for towing, or perhaps you were planning to do a bit of snowplowing on the side?

 

Have you heard of the Audi R10 diesel racecar? What about the Audi R8 diesel supercar? Yes, peak torque will start down low but that does not matter. What matters is how long the powerband is. If peak torque starts let's say at 1000rpm and peak horsepower at 5000rpm in a diesel motor what you have there is a nice usable powerband. That powerband will feel the same as the Evo VIII where peak torque will be at 3500rpm and peak power is at 7500rpm. With the proper gearing it can have the same top speed as a non diesel as well.

 

I have a Big Block 72 Buick that is a torque monster and let me tell you that 500+ ft/lbs of torque at 2k RPM is FUN on the street. The thing leaps forward, if you can get it to hook. It may not be great for speed but torque is what gets you moving, HP is what carries you at speed.

 

diesel= torque and no knocking
just think it true...

 

Yup diesel has one of the best compression ratio for Torque. Since their chamber has more rich compression which making them one of the best setup for Torque related works. Thats why trucks use diesel engines!