Audi seem to have saved motoring, for real.

[oliveoiltinfoil]

I know this is very loosely related to "household" but you do not have to be a car enthusiast to realise this is pretty epic.

Those cleaver Germans at Audi have made diesel from carbon dioxide and water.

None of this hybrid/plug-in hybrid rubbish which Volkswagen have said they are reluctant to build, claiming their TDI diesel engines are just as efficient yet more reliable, more sustainable and more practical as well as cheaper.

Come to think of it, having two engines to propel one vehicle seems a bit unecological, using more materials, more expensive manufacturing and so on.

This diesel, called "e - diesel" costs as much or less to produce than regular crude diesel, the engine runs quieter and smoother and gives slightly better MPG.

http://www.sciencealert.com/audi-have-successfully-made-diesel-fuel-from-air-and-water

 

[parwaz786]

OMG

That is GENIUS!!! I want an Audi when I can drive, or a Mercedes. Probably an Audi first though, they look so modern, cool and are really good cars

 

[oliveoiltinfoil]

They are excellent cars. My first was an A3 1.9 TDI, now on an A6 Avant. They are beautifully made and great to drive.

 

[human]

Fascinating...

The really crazy part of this new fuel is it's made from the two things that are the most abundant in the tailpipe emissions of today's gasoline powered cars—carbon dioxide and water vapor. I'd love to see production of this stuff ramped up so that economies of scale can kick in. Of course, dirty petroleum producers will fight it tooth and nail and try to sabotage it any way they can.

 

[jmurray01]

This sounds good in theory, but we'll have to wait and see what happens. The government may either put a stop to it all together if they can't tax it as high as current fuel, or let it go but put the price up to 200.9p per litre (who am I kidding, that will happen REGARDLESS).

And it doesn't matter which idiot you vote in, because Dave; Ed and Nick are all singing from the same hymn sheet.

Anyway, don't get me started on politics.

 

[parwaz786]

My cousin has an Audi S3

 

[bagintheback]

Wow, that is impressive. I imagine if they can perfect and mass-produce "e-diesel", this could be an incredibly popular alternative to regular fossil fuels. Both oil and automotive companies are very resistant to move towards battery-electrics since the cars are basically self-sufficient. Electric companies power the cars with minimal resources and electric motors hardly ever require replacement parts. Hydrogen is expensive, but since Shell can sell it as a consumable fuel, it's been given more attention. Plus most of the hydrogen on the market is sourced from natural gas.

E-diesel looks fantastic because not only is it clean, but it can be distributed through the existing fueling network. VW and now Chevy sell a good amount of diesel-powered cars here in the states, so there is a market for this.

This looks very promising. Thanks for sharing.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

My sister and brother-in-law have a swanky new Audi

It sure looks like a fun car. It is NOT their daily car, however.

 

[oliveoiltinfoil]

My first car was an A3 8L 2002. 1.9 TDI and when I got it, it had 150,000 on the clock. Full service history though, it didn't use a drop of oil, no squeaks or rattles and it is still running today in the hands of another 17 year old relative. I am now on an A6 Avant 3.0 TDI twin turbo and it is beautiful. Incredibly quick an powerful, yet I can get nearly 50 MPG on a long run.

Volkswagen make probably the best diesel engines in terms of refinement, efficiency and reliability, probably followed by PSA (Peugeot Citroen and Ford). GM diesel engines in Europe don't have the best reps. The 1.9 unit jointly developed with Fiat was made on a shoe string budgets, using plastic pullys and camshafts.

 

[miskini]

Volks

Makes a great diesel. Most reliable Diesel engine is a Detroit diesel. Million mile warranty

 

[tolivac]

Other good Diesel engines----Caterpillar!!!