Diesel Advancements

Despite the fact that diesel engines are currently found mostly in full-size trucks and commercial rigs, that may soon change due to some recent developments in technology and fuel emission standards. While many people think of diesel-powered vehicles as noisy, smelly and slow, the latest generation of diesel engines is changing that perception.


Oil-burners have a lot to offer. Their longevity is legendary, and they can chug right along with small throttle inputs and miserly fuel consumption, unperturbed by steep grades. Not only that, when a diesel is towing a trailer, this torquemeister hardly even knows what's back there.

Drawbacks?
What about the traditional drawbacks, though? New diesel engine technology is helping to overcome the excessive clatter and cumbersome performance. Two other factors will also help to change the public's negative view: the skyrocketing price of fuel and higher emission standards.


Diesel engines are the odds-on favorite to win the melee with alternative fuels and hybrids currently battling it out to meet the 2007 emission standards, and to offset gasoline prices that have been escalating beyond belief. Automotive organizations such as JD Power and Associates, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) have already declared diesel the wave of the near future.


Sounds promising, but what led up to this swelling demand? To answer that, we should cover a bit of background on diesel vehicles and the latest developments in the marketplace.