les moteurs diesel : " Efficiency imported from Europe "

[nicroll]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/au...pagewanted=all

"The fuel economy edge of diesel vehicles is most notable at higher speeds, making them a wise choice for Americans who commute long distances on highways. Hybrids, in contrast, shine in urban and suburban driving, where battery power and regenerative braking help them beat diesel mileage by a wide margin. But in terms of driving enjoyment, it’s no contest: diesels, with their powerful surge of low-end torque, make typical hybrids feel slow and spiritless in comparison."

"In widely publicized cases, the real-world mileage numbers of some hybrids have been a disappointment. Owners of the Ford C-Max and Fusion Hybrid have filed class-action lawsuits over window-sticker ratings that proved overblown. That has focused attention on the E.P.A.’s testing regime, which seems to credit hybrids for illusory mileage while understating diesel efficiency.

“You’ll never find a diesel driver complaining that they’re not getting the posted mileage,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. “They all brag that they’re doing better.”