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Karl-
Those numbers are on an average of about 41 cetane LSD/ULSD, genrous use of Diesel Kleen (4-6 oz /tank, more if It feels dirty) 4cyl, injected, VNT 17 turbo, intercooler, auto trany (could get 50+ w/ manual), fuel cooler for the recirc (maintains about 80*C). I've done better when I can get 45 cetane, but that's rare around here, I usually get it in VA when I travel through.
It's a 2002 VW Golf TDI, 1.9l - ALH engine, not the Pumpe-Duse or Common Rail, built on the Audi A4 frame, suspension is all Bilstein, handles like a dream on michelin MX4+ 165/90 R15 H82s @40#. Oh, yeah, I've been offered more than what I paid for it, ain't gonna happen. Oil/filter changes every 10K w/ 505.00 full syn 5-40, air filter every 35-40k, fuel filter every 20-30k. Easy to work on, and quiet. I go 0-60 pretty quickly, never timed it, but from a toll booth to the lane compression I'm usually at 60 or 70.
No shit about changing the demand numbers - look at Europe, 53% of all passenger vehicles sold are diesel - from the 2 or 3 cyl Skoda/Peugeot/VW/Audi/MB city cars (up to 85 mpg - not fast, not sexy, but good cars) all the way up to the V-10 VW Taureg (30+ mpg, 350 hp, 550 ftlb torque - full time awd), and everything in between. Audi has racing diesels that are smoking (pun intended) gassers on 1/4 mi and long distance racing.
What's killing diesels in the states is the old 70's idea of the American diesels - slow, smelly, noisy, no pickup, and CARB rules. CARB should be less of an issue with the new Urea catalytic scrubbers that decrease the NO and particulates.
Damn, brother, you got me started again on the diesel rant. Ask TS about my car, he's ridden in it - didn't get to do any AT-Eva driving, but he was surprised it was a diesel, very surprised.
***end diesel rant part deux***
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In the business of war, there is no invariable stategic advantage (shih) which can be relied upon at all times.
Sun-Tzu, "The Art of Warfare"
Hearing, I forget. Seeing, I remember. Writing (doing), I understand. Chinese Proverb
Too many people are looking for a magic bullet. As always, shot placement is the key. ~TR
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