----- Original Message ----- From: "Philip Winestone" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 7:03 PM Subject: Re: [Vo]: SUVs
> But NOBODY can answer the question I ask constantly (in fact I've been > greeted with consistently stony silence, even from journalists who write > about these things): Why are there no SUVs or plans for SUVs with diesel > engines in the works? Hmmm... that is a good question. Maybe it has to do with pollution (see below) but there seems to be more to it. Maybe the majority of the public doesn't want them? But that seems suspect too...I hear quite a few people wish for diesels here and there. Lack of performance? That doesn't work either, there are plenty of people buying underpowered gasoline four-bangers which just crawl along; they want economy over performance. So why not a diesel? Its an enigma. > And why do diesel engines command ENORMOUS > premiums. A chap I was talking to a few months ago, told me that the > premium for diesel in his Ford truck, was $7000. Not an insignificant chunk of change. Not sure exactly, however I do know that here in NY, there are certain Volkswagens which cannot be registered in New York state, and these are diesels with a particular kind of direct injection setup. I see them from time to time driven by out of state university students going to SUNY/UB. The mechanic I work with, who has done a lot with diesel, says it is a pollution issue, the diesels pollute more. But this is also upstate NY, so things don't often make sense. Under ideal conditions, when you factor in the increased efficiency (but reduced performance) of diesels versus gasoline, the diesel engine produces slightly less CO2, but more of basically everything else. Much more particulates. Of course, ideal conditions do not exist.... a normally maintained (read: poorly, for the average Joe) diesel is much more pollutive than a gasoline engine. NYS doesn't like this, so they pick on the diesels. Myself, I don't want a diesel, let alone a modern one; the maze of vacuum lines and Bible-size wiring diagram will frustrate to no end, and they are higher maintenance. I prefer something I can work on at home as much as possible, and for little expense, being a member of the local "Po' Folk" and all. They also tend to leak oil and diesel like no ones business, and that is certainly no good for anyone. Trying to keep one with age on it running well is a serious hassle, and cold startup complicates things further. That said, let the reader be aware that my experience with diesels is limited to the Mercedes-Benz turbodiesels and 1.9L VW TDIs. I have not worked on American diesels much at all, aside from our trusty tow truck (whose only problem is a poorly designed ABS system.) On the gripping hand....BMW diesels are QUIET. Disturbingly quiet. First time I heard one, I did not know it was a diesel! I have only worked on the one BMW diesel, but it was clean. If it is representative of most BMW diesels, then they have something good going on. I might not mind driving that, but given the price tag....yeah, I'll stick to Buicks and Chevys. > No point in having lots of biodiesel if you can't buy a decent, practical > (North American) vehicle with a diesel engine as an option. Biodiesel manufacture is starting to spring up around here. In the sleepy little town of Wheatfield (10-15 miles from Buffalo) there are some guys working on setting up a biodiesel plant. The town has apparently agreed to buy its diesel fuel from them, for construction equipment, trucks, etc. The only snag is funding; everyone wants to see it happen, but no one wants to sign a check. --Kyle
