Mercedes explains the diesotto
Those crazy German engineers are at it again; this time planning for the day an engine will combine gasoline and diesel technologies. Dr. Thomas Weber, board member responsible for research, technology and development at MB has this to say about the diesotto: "Step by step, the components of diesel and petrol engines are growing closer: the combustion process, common-rail direct injection, turbocharging. In the end, we believe this development will see the complete integration of the two engines into one type which combines the best of petrol and diesel." Oh, and the name? It's a mash-up of Rudolph Diesel and Nikolaus Otto, the two German inventors of the diesel and four-stroke Otto-cycle engines.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris S 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Good idea, dumb name.
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Alex Lau 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Now combine that with hybrid tech, and we would be set until alternative fuels come about.
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Lee Gibson 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Current diesels are as good or better on fuel consumption than current hybrids. Why add another layer of complexity?
Hybrids are an ugly hack...
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Mick 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Hooray! I knew the beautiful Desoto would make a comeback.
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Alex Lau 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Diesel emissions are very dirty. If we could get the engine to stop at lights or in traffic, that would do a lot to curb emissions. Mileage isnt everything about hybrids, they also aid in emission reduction.
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Steve B. 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Diesels do not get better mileage than a gasoline engine barrel for barrel. Diesel fuel has more energy potential, but requires more crude to make. Using diesel as a replacement for gasoline would do absolutely nothing to slow the consumption of crude oil, and as demand shifted, prices would adjust to the same level as gasoline, mile-for-mile, increasing the cost of heating oil and consumer goods (trucking costs money) in the process.
On the upside, they have great low end torque, are generally very reliable in the long term, and can run on biodiesel. And, if you are sufficiently unscrupulous, you can use heater oil as a substitute for diesel and avoid those pesky fuel taxes.
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Lee Gibson 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
"Using diesel as a replacement for gasoline would do absolutely nothing to slow the consumption of crude oil"
Except for the fact that you can get diesel fuel from plant matter or french fry oil, you're spot on.
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skaedenfeld 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
(Crap, I knew someone would get the DeSoto joke before me. Oh well, here goes...)
I'm waiting for the DeSoto Diesotto. You know it's coming...
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RR 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Quote "Diesel emissions are very dirty." What about Europe, they use a clean diesel that is clear like gasoline and has much less sulfur than the dirty crap we can buy here in the U.S. And not to forget they also use particle filters thats why diesel is at almost 50% for new cars sold in Europe.
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alex 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Now that MB owns Mopar, I guess it's OK to resurrect the DeSoto name.
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Conan the Grammarian 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Diesel engines aren't dirty if you feed them clean fuel and scrub the exhaust. European diesel is low in sulfur, which contributes much of the soot. Sulfur content also interferes with several otherwise-feasible types of exhaust filters. US regs will bring low-sulfur diesel here in the next couple years, so this is a market very much in flux.
Biodiesel is naturally low in sulfur -- yet another of its advantages.
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