Diesel Vehicles and You

Diesel Vehicles and You – Is It Time to Switch?

Gasoline powered vehicles are slowly being replaced by hybrid cars. Hybrids offer a substantial increase in fuel economy for a relatively modest increase in price. However, am I the only person to realize that the fuel figures posted by hybrid vehicles, which are, admittedly, much higher then their non-hybrid brothers, are right around the same figures posted by today’s conventional diesel engines?

Then it hit me; people are making this big ruckus about hybrid vehicles, yet they’ve forgotten about the amazing versatility and performance of diesel. Yes, you can get over 45 miles per gallon in a Toyota Camry Hybrid, but you can already get figures like that from the Volkswagen Jetta TDI or Golf TDI.

Misconceptions and Misinformation

Diesel engines of today are not the filthy, noisy, dirty engines of 25 years ago. Today’s diesel engines are quiet, powerful, efficient, and just as versatile as their gasoline counterparts. In fact, a 1998.5 Volkswagen Jetta TDI made 92 horsepower and 160 foot pounds of torque; the 1998.5 Jetta GLS made 115 horsepower and 120 foot pounds of torque. The difference is a barely slower top speed and a lot more “get up and go” power from the higher torque figure.

No, new diesel engines do not constantly plume out black clouds of smoke, and no, new diesel engines do not constantly smell like sulfur and beer. New diesel engines, operating under strict diesel engine legislation, are required to use ultra-low sulfur diesel, offer a scent that is less noticeable than gasoline, operate more cleanly and be capable of providing a whole lot more torque.

The next time that you hear someone tell you the downsides of diesel, always keep in mind that diesel, like all technologies, has advanced over the years. Fifty years ago, gasoline engines were underpowered and horribly inefficient. Today, gasoline engines are efficient, powerful, and the engine of choice for just about every manufacturer on the planet.

The Realities of Diesel

Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline engines. This is a fact that can not be disputed simply because it has been proven time and time again. Manufacturers have adapted the diesel engine to suit any application of car, truck, van and SUV so it is time to increase consumer demand.

When you’re looking for a car that will achieve over 600 miles per tank, look for a diesel or hybrid. At the end of the day, we can tell you that the diesel is the cheaper of the two options.