Last year, I went to Canada in a new VW Jetta TDI turbodiesel. It didn't
clatter, accelerated as well as my '87 Golf (gasoline powered), and only
smoked if you idled around for a few minutes and then mashed the pedal.
The best part is, we averaged 48 miles per gallon. I seem to remember a
team in Europe that raced a VW diesel. I know for a fact that diesels sell
much better over there, they don't have the memory of the diesel Chevette
or 350 Olds diesel conversions to contend with. The biggest difference in
driving a modern diesel compared to a gas engine has to do with engine RPM
and torque. they certainly don't rev very high, but usually have monster
low end power. Don't think we'll be seeing a Honda V-Tec diesel anytime
soon. :-)
Calvin Krug
"Poke me with a fork, I think I'm done"
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