According to a study by independent technical research institute TÜV Nord, new-generation petrol engines typically release around 1,000 times more harmful particles, including carcinogens, than traditional designs, and 10 times more than new diesel engines.
This is shocking information, to say the least, especially since carmakers claim that gasoline direct injection petrol engines have helped them dramatically reduce emissions.
The study, which was seen by the Financial Times, refers to particles classified by the World Health Organization as harmful, including carcinogens, substances that are believed to cause cancer.
The explanation for this is that new-generation gasoline engines operate with higher pressure in their cylinders to reduce emissions, but in doing so, they produce larger numbers of the particles. European regulations require filters that stop particle emissions to be fitted to all new diesel cars, but there is no similar condition for gasoline engines. A diesel particulate filter costs as little as €50 ($68).
According to EU research, air pollution is directly responsible for 406,000 deaths each year, causing causes more than 100 million lost days of work – that translates into losses for the EU economy of more than €330 billion ($448 billion).
Whether we like it or not, cars are the largest source of air pollution in European cities – but a significant part of that pollution can be eliminated if solutions to limit emissions of particles were applied to new-generation gasoline engines as well.
By Dan Mihalascu
In the first ten months of this year, diesel vehicles made up 22 percent of Volkswagen of America’s total sales, far exceeding the company’s expectations. As the first diesel model in the U.S. mid-size sedan market, the VW Passat TDI had a key contribution to this result.
VW worried that customers may not only be reluctant to diesel, but to the brand as well, as it had to conquest a lot of customers from competitors. “We thought the step to convert them to the Volkswagen brand was going to be a fairly substantial step in itself, and then it would be an even bigger step to convert to diesel,” Jonathan Browning was quoted as saying by Autocar.
Browning added that diesel models suit American driving habits and the fuel economy they deliver is just incredible for consumers.
“In fact, because it is such a compelling offer – almost 800 miles range, and with the typical US driving profile, it is possible to get even better-than-published fuel economy with the diesel because there’s a lot of highway driving – customers are just raving about it,” the executive added.
VW originally expected 17 percent of Passat sales to be diesels, but the Passat TDI’s share is getting closer to 30 percent.
By Dan Mihalascu
The makeover of the diesel-powered XF 3.0 SDV6 begins with a silky matte white foil wrap and black accents before a rear diffuser made out of carbon fiber and several elements from the XFR-S are added, including the front bumper, grille and bonnet scoops.
Completing the look is a set of 21-inch wheels shod in 255/30ZR21 tires on the front axle and 295/35ZR21 on the rear, and slightly tinted head- and tail-lamps.
The XF also gains a 35mm lowered sports suspension with Eibach parts and an engine tune that includes a different exhaust system boosting the 3.0-liter V6's output from 275PS (271hp) to 340PS (335hp) for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 280km/h (174mph).
The cost for this specific build in Germany is €15,000, which comes to around US$20,400 at the current exchange rates.
According to VW, replacing the fuse with one with a tougher surface coating only takes a few minutes, with affected vehicle owners to be informed by the company accordingly.
The carmaker also announced it is recalling 239,000 Amarok pick-ups globally (12,359 in Germany) built between the vehicle’s launch and June 2013. That’s because “some Amarok pick-ups with a 2-litre TDI engine may be affected by leaks to the fuel pipe within the engine compartment,” VW said. To avoid any accidental damage to the fuel lines a chafe protector will be fitted at the affected points as part of the recall action.
Besides the Tiguan and Amarok, VW said it will request all owners of VW Group cars with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DQ200) filled with synthetic oil to visit a workshop for an oil exchange. Around 1.6 million vehicles are affected by this recall, most of them located in China (640,309 cars) and Southeast Asia. Furthermore, 207,778 Tiguans will be recalled in China as well.
VW has discovered that on cars with the 7-speed DSG “electric malfunctions could occur in the gearbox power supply if synthetic gearbox oil is used.” That happens particularly if the vehicle is subject to a hot and humid climate, coupled with a high proportion of stop & go driving, VW added.
The remedy is to replace the synthetic oil with mineral oil. Models affected by this recall in China are imported VW cars like the Scirocco, Golf Variant, Golf Cabriolet and Beetle, as well as locally built models with FAW and SAIC Motor, including the Bora, Golf, Sagitar and Magotan, Touran, Lavida, Superb, Octavia, Passat and Polo.
By Dan Mihalascu
Story References: VW via Reuters
Now, Mazda has officially confirmed its participation, in the Prototype class, where it plans to use two SKYACTIV diesel-powered racers whose engines will be very closely related to those used in their road cars.
“The SKYACTIV-D Smart Diesel race engine is a true production-based engine and a carry-over from the development work done with the Mazda6 GX-class racing cars," says the Japanese company."The engine is 51 percent stock by parts count, and 63 percent stock by weight. Mazda chose this path as it is the most honest way to demonstrate the performance, quality, durability, and reliability of Mazda powerplants.”
The cars are expected to make their public debut, at the “Roar before the 24” testing session between January 3-5.
However, the Japanese manufacturer is also officially looking into modifying its successful (and nice looking) 6 sedan diesel racer into a GT Daytona class car, though that ambition was not fully detailed in the supplied press release.
By Andrei Nedelea
So why is there such a big difference between petrol and diesel cars? “There are a number of possible explanations for the marked difference in MOT emissions failure rates between petrol and diesel cars,” explains Bruce Ellis, research and development manager at Redex, a maker of additive products that evaluated the data that is submitted to the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) by every MOT test facility in the UK.
“These include the different driving cycles that traditionally are undertaken. Namely, petrol cars are more likely than diesels to be chosen for frequent shorter, urban trips, whereas diesels are more likely to be chosen if the vehicle is to be commonly used for longer, motorway-based journeys. Also, diesels operate at lower engine speeds and are therefore a little less stressed than higher revving petrol motors,” Ellis says.
However, while these factors do make a difference, the biggest one is the MOT test itself, he adds.
“Petrol cars are assessed for a high number of gases and hydrocarbons in the exhaust emissions, while diesels are tested only for smoke levels. This means that relatively speaking, diesels probably have an easier emissions test than petrol-engined cars,” Ellis explains.
That may be happening now, but the future doesn't sound so good for diesels.
Analyzed data covers 47.97 million MOT tests taken during the full year of 2010 and the first nine months of 2011.
By Dan Mihalascu
The Golf TDI BlueMotion managed to cover the entire distance on a single tank of fuel, posting an average fuel consumption of 2.92 l/100 km (80.5 mpg US).
This figure was reached in normal traffic over a driving time of 20 hours and 45 minutes. The standard 50-liter fuel tank was filled in Nantes, where it was sealed by a DEKRA inspector. At the end of the trip, 46.92 liters of diesel were filled into the same tank under the supervision of the same inspector.
The route chosen by VW led from Nantes, the “European Green Capital 2013”, via Paris, Antwerp, Bremen and Hamburg to Copenhagen, the “European Green Capital 2014”.
The fuel economy result is below the Golf TDI BlueMotion's standard consumption figure based on the NEDC driving cycle of 3.2 l/100 km (73.5 mpg US). Powered by a 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine developing 110PS (108hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque from as low as 1,500 rpm.
Aside from the frugal diesel engine, the Golf TDI BlueMotion also features a standard start-stop system and regenerative braking mode. In addition, fuel economy is boosted by the car’s improved aerodynamics, lower weight, modified six-speed manual gearbox and low rolling resistance tires.
By Dan Mihalascu
Available from January 2014, the new A 180 CDI ECO SE and B 180 CDI ECO SE replace the regular A 180 CDI and B 180 CDI.
They combine the Renault-sourced 109bhp 1.5-liter turbo diesel with a series of fuel-saving measures that include the use of an aerodynamic grille element, underbody paneling and lowered suspension (-10 mm front and 15 mm rear for A-Class, and 20 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear for B-Class). They also feature manual gearboxes with longer ratios in the higher gears, an improved energy recuperation system and a lighter fuel tank
Mercedes says that compared to the standard A 180 CDI, CO2 emissions have been reduced by six per cent to 92 g/km, with combined fuel consumption increased to 78.5 mpg UK (versus 74.3 mpg on the outgoing model). On the B 180 CDI ECO SE emissions were reduced to 98 g/km CO2 or nine percent, while fuel economy jumped eight per cent to 74.3 mpg UK.
Despite the economy gains, Mercedes states that power, torque, top speed and 0-60 mph acceleration, remains unchanged for both models.
Along with the new ECO variants, Benz is introducing the four-wheel drive system first seen on the CLA 250 4MATIC, on both the A- and B-Class, again from January 2014. In particular, the A 250 4MATIC will be available in both AMG Sport and Engineered by AMG trim, while the the B 220 4MATIC, exclusively in Sport trim.
In terms of pricing, the A 180 CDI ECO SE will start from £21,965 on the road, the B 180 CDI ECO SE from £22,950 OTR, the A 250 4MATIC from £28,985 OTR for the AMG Sport trim and £30,905 for the Engineered by AMG trim, and the B 220 4MATIC, at £28,135 OTR.
Launched on the Zafira Tourer, the Euro-6 compliant powerplant develops 136PS (134 hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque.
Fitted with a standard start-stop system, the unit delivers an average fuel economy of 3.9 l/100 km (60.3 mpg US) on the Astra, 7 percent less than its 1.7-liter predecessor (130PS/128hp). CO2 emissions are rated at 104 g/km.
Opel says the new engine is quieter than the unit it replaces and that it offers better acceleration as 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 10.3 seconds, while 80 to 120 km/h (50 to 75 mph) in fifth gear, 9.2 seconds. Top speed is 200 km/h (124 mph).
The diesel engine is available to order on the Astra five-door hatchback, the Astra sedan and the Astra Sports Tourer wagon, but not yet on the Astra GTC.
Besides the new diesel engine, the 2014MY Astra also gets the IntelliLink infotainment system with Bluetooth interface, originally available only on the Insignia. The technology integrates smartphone functions into the car, with Opel saying it is easily controllable and clearly arranged on a seven-inch high-resolution color display. IntelliLink will be rolled out on more Opel models in the future.
Finally, Opel also offers a new Active- option pack, which includes features such as LED daytime running lights, CD 600 IntelliLink system, Aux-In-, USB- and hands-free equipment via Bluetooth interface, as well as Piano Black Décor Moldings in the cockpit.
By Dan Mihalascu
