Why is Europe so fond of diesels?

[Todd Phenneger]

Jon,
  Have you checked Gas prices in Europe Lately.  YOu go fill up
at $4.50 an gallon (equivilent in some countries)  and see how
you feel.  As for demand in the US, the VW Dealer here cant get
enough.  By the time they get any in stock, they are pre sold. 
We cant even test drive one.  But will as we found an owner
willing to let us drive his.
  BTW...I'm a diesel fan.  Want to know why my roomate is
considering a VW Jetta Diesel (1.9 tdi).  Well, at 90hp its less
than the 2.0 Gas.  But at 175 (cant remember exactly) its got as
much torque as the VR6!  Do the math.  THat much torque, 49mph
on the highway.  It will do 0-60 in about the same time as the
gas motor, dead reliable, its quiet, starts well.  All around
tough to beat.
  NOw, its the same block and turbo as the Euro 110hp unit.  ANd
not much different than the 130hp.  AND....in Europe there is a
150hp version of that motor.  Go figure, and with WAY more
torque.  
  Anyhow, thats why we like them. :-)   TORQUE!  OH yea, and
Fuel Economy too. :-)  If only we could find one. 
  See ya at the gas pump.  (Regrettably my 4ktq does NOT get
49mpg :-(
l8r
  Todd


--- Jon R Tetzloff <tetzloff at us.ibm.com> wrote:
> Sorry, but I gotta ask.   Why the diesel craze?
> I was brought up in the US and 'taught' that diesels
> make a horrible clattering racket, stink, pollute, get way
> lower power per cubic inch than a gasoline engine,
> and start worth crap in the cold.
> I realize that modern diesels are probably clean
> and quiet, etc, yet you still pretty much couldn't give
> away a diesel car in the US.
> Is the popularity in Europe a fuel cost thing, a
> mechanical simplicity thing, engine longevity,
> or what?
> I'm not trying to take sides or start any arguments, I am
> just curious why there's such a difference between
> the US and Europe here.
> thanks
> Jon
> 
> 


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