Diesel, without the diesel
 

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.au...sotto1-450.jpg


Certainly sounds cool.

An S class getting almost 40mpg?! Good lord.

I had been considering getting an ML320 CDI, as I live around the corner from a biodiesel station, but this type of engine would be a much better solution.

Now if only Mercedes could come out with an electric car that uses green Lithium Ion batteries with 100% recycled technology with no negative environmental consequences.

That is amazing....

Coupe that with 98 RON, and you'll be having the drive of your life.

What is weird...look at how big that engine is. For being such small displacement, that engine just looks huge to me.

I think it's kinda beautiful. Like a piece of automotive art.

I want to know how this controlled auto injection works. Sounds like they've found a way to harness the powers of detonation (a.k.a. spark knock). If that's so, that means you don't even need premium for it to run properly, it'll run better on cheapy 87 octane.

seems kinda pointless to me. We should be changing to diesel since its easier to find a alterntive fuel for diesel fuel then normal unleaded.

I am confused by this particular statement. Where do they figure a diesel station is hard to find? I find diesel at EVERY station I ever drive by durring my travels. I take trips all over the central US as well as the Southeast, and have NEVER had trouble finding a diesel station....Just curious where they got their information.

Deltona, diesel is at many pumps on major highways, but not always available at smaller gas stations or convenience store setups, there are certainly many stations that do not have it. So, yes you can find it pretty easily, but you do have to look for it.
About that engine, that is incredible! 238 horse out of a 1.8 liter with 40 mpg is remarkable for any engine. I can't wait to see more about this. Next, run it on vegetable oil or biodiesel! And about the size, it could be the size of a bar of soap and we wouldn't know because there's no perspective in the pic.

I'm not so sure about this. One of the advantages to diesels is its longetivity, I'm not sure how running this thing on petrol will effect that. It's got to run much hotter, which is (so I am told anyways) why diesels last longer, not as much heat..

I'm really excited about VW's new diesels, I cant remember what they're called, but they have a Urea injection system to help get them past emissions.

Found it, its BLuetc, heres some info.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006...es_to_int.html

I've been thinking and studying these new emission systems for diesels, and holy freaking 8lb baby jesus, this nonsense is going to be a NIGHTMARE to service.

Theres definately gonna be a delay before I would feel comfy buying one, US techs are gonna need some time to learn all this nonsense....

I see its major advantage is that gasoline has more energy per volume, which is why it can acheive such high power ratings for such a small displacement. It should be interesting to see if this ever gets past the developemental stage. I'd happily buy a small pick-up with either a turbo diesel or this engine in it for a daily driver.

GM is supposedly working on a diesel for half tons and small suv's.

In an effort to show how serious GM is getting about diesel, they also bought out half of an Italian diesel engine company.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-purch...vm-motori.html

I've also heard rumors that Ford and Chrylser will follow suite with the diesel half tons. I'd be pretty happy driving a single cab, short wheel base, turbo diesel F-150. Especially after some purchases at places like Bully Dog.

For now, I drive a 2.5L Ranger everyday, and while I get mid to high 20s for mileage. I can't help but always think how much of a better truck it could be if it had a 4cylinder turbo diesel. More power, more torque (the ingredient trucks always need more of), and just as good if not better fuel economy.