September 13, 2005

Today in Automotive History

1977 Diesel Debut

General Motors (GM) introduced the first diesel automobiles in America on this day, the Oldsmobile 88 and 98 models. A major selling point of the two models was their fuel efficiency, which GM claimed to be 40% better than gasoline-powered cars. By compressing air, rather than an air-fuel mixture, the diesel engine achieves higher compression ratios, and consequently higher theoretical cycle efficiencies. In addition, the idling and reduced power efficiency of the diesel engine is much greater than that of its spark engine cousin. However, the diesel engine's greater efficiency is balanced by its higher emission of soot, odor, and air pollutants.

Posted by Quality Weenie at September 13, 2005 08:04 AM | TrackBack
Comments

And don't forget the noise :-/

Posted by: Harvey at September 13, 2005 09:18 AM

And the smell! Good gosh, you cannot forget the stink!

Posted by: Ogre at September 13, 2005 02:00 PM

I guess this just proves how strange I am as Diesel (trucks) just turn me on.

I love the sound and smell of them.

There is nothing like a F250, Power Stroke pulling up next to me that will get me all hot and bothered.

Posted by: Machelle at September 13, 2005 03:11 PM

I am SO not touching that one...

Posted by: Ogre at September 14, 2005 03:55 PM