Are diesels not sporty?

[R.S.]

Hell no! (http://www.lemans.org/accueil/pages/2005_12_13_audi_r10_gb.htm)

http://www.lemans.org/accueil/ressources/images/2005_12_13_audi/g_NCA_CPR10D22_0735.jpg

[kilby]

They have to be driven differently. When we ordered and received our new Golf GLS TDI we had the dealer install Eibach springs from the parts catalogue, they lowered the car about 1 1/2" all around. We also chucked the 15" wheels for the same in 16" from a New Beetle. With those changes the car looks the same only better, and loves corners. Diesels (the ones we have in N. America) don't accererate like gas cars, but once up to speed they really roll....why I know someone who has driven their VW at 180 kilometres an hour! On a closed private track of course! Couple that with a consistant 50 t0 60 mpg and you have a great combination. Apparently the new 100hp VW diesels feel a lot more powerful even with only 10 more horsepower.

[The General]

Diesels rock!

I have had the opportunity to drive a number of very interesting diesel vehicles in the last month and let me say that many of the so-called slow diesels are actually faster than their gas-powered counterparts, all the while consuming 15-20% less fuel!!

BMW's 2.0L diesel is particularly impressive: 160 hp and 250 lbs of torque. We should have a video on line shortly.

[stodge]

I loved my parent's old Golf TDI, which was very nippy due to the torque that was available low down in the rev range.

[The General]

Diesels not sporty!?!

Check this out:

http://www.auto123.com/fr/community/forum/images/postpics/251.jpg

2005 Peugeot 206 HDi

[allen]

Their noisy, stinky and sound like truck engines when their cold.

Would never consider a diesel under any circumstance

[big_block]

Audi won again with their TDI last week-end at the 24-Hour Lemans race.

[Crash]

Their noisy, stinky and sound like truck engines when their cold.

Would never consider a diesel under any circumstance


You have obviously been looking at too many North American diesel units. If you get a chance, check out what the Europeans are doing with them, I think that you'll be surprised.

To give you an idea: The last time I was home in the U.K. was on a freebee trip with my wife at a medical convention. The Doctors were being driven around by Mercedes Benz S class limo's. I stood next to one which was running and asked the driver why they didn't use the MB diesel units that I had heard so much about. The driver said "yer idiot, it is a diesel". I felt rather stupid and I'm an auto journalist so I should have known better but it was just so quiet.

The driver then went on to tell me that they had a few gas powered units but the drivers prefered the diesels.

[allen]

Good point and your right its always been Amreican ones I have heard.

I guess its the same as the lousy 4 clyinder engines the Americans build in comparison to the German & Japanese

[Crash]

For some reason the North American manufacturers loved to put "whopping great huge diesel units" into pickups. Unles you're planning to tow your house and three car garage around with you I don't really see why you need them.

A friend of mine had a Dodge cummins turbo diesel with duel wheels a while back. Yes it could put your head back into the headrest when it pulled away from the lights (that's something that we all really need eh???) When he used to come to visit me at my shop he would leave it running outside. I had to ask him to turn it off as I counldn't hear anyone on the phone and the floor vibrated like mad.

I'm not sure that I would totally agree with you about the "lousy four cylinder American engines". Yes, most of them have been pretty sad but the old 2.0 OHC Ford Pinto engine was used in the Ford Escort RS2000 rally cars in Europe through the 70's and was an excelent unit. Those cars are still looked apon as all time greats in the rallying world. Now I don't know if that engine was Euro designed or American but both sides of the water used it and it was a truly great 4 cylinder.