Content Wrapper

[LSV1970]

Originally Posted by mathijskok

But honestly, if fuel prices were like in the US, there would not even be a 300c diesel in Europe. I love the torque and I love the way it jumps ahead of the Hemi from the traffic lights, but nothing beats big bore engines if you can afford them.

The main problem with diesel cars in urban areas is the fine particles. They really cause problems in major European cities, problems the US does not have. But per kilometer/mile, my diesel with its superb Mercedes diesel engine and the particle filter is most likely a lot cleaner then the big bore US style engines. Per liter/gallon of fuel used, the issue looks a bit different as diesel is in principle more efficient but more polluting.

Here in Switzerland, we don't have any incentive on Diesel like in almost every Euro countries (95RON is about CHF 1.61 et Diesel is about CHF 1.79). Results are pretty clear: only 24% of new cars are diesels. Under 30'000 km(20'000 mi) a year, you won't find any interest with this stuff.
Some small Diesel get a little tax advantage with CO2 low emission (under 120 gr/km). Chrysler 300C : 3.5L : 264 gr/km / CRD : 215 gr/km / Hemi : 291 gr/km.

Last week my town hit 251μg/m3 microparticles (federal limit : 50μg/m3 ) caused by heater, trucks, diesel cars and chimneys. Shell V-Power Diesel or not, we were in trouble.

Euro incentives on Diesel came after WWII to help little companies during effort of rebuilding. Some car manufacturer began to build private cars to take benefit on this situation .... and we get the 2006 situation.

First Diesel car was a 1936 Mercedes 260D (basically for Cabs).