It is great that a company is adopting a well researched engine. Especially since it didn’t directly pay for the r&d. It offers a number of possibilities:

1) a main stay US company offering another diesel – both more fuel efficient than a comparable gasser and will have an aura of being cool because it’s gov endorsed. Plus it is low emissions.

2) Breathing new life into a vehicle’s engine as type as a fashion statement. We all know that diesel is the unsung hero in the auto world and while I don’t know the numbers there is probably over 1000 to 1 gas/diesel cars on the road. The gov sanctifying this engine will encourage folks to beat a path to their Ford dealer.

3) It opens the door to more government r&d in the auto world. Rather than handing down a mandate, gov for once offers a workable platform. This could create quite a stir in academic circles where almost nothing ever makes it out of the lab.

4) It almost guarantees appeal for the young'ns. Creates a better possibility of folks pursuing diesel engines throughout their lives, especially under the auspices of being ecologically friendly and showing progressive thinking.

Last but not least, diesels offer about 30% greater fuel economy. This is something for which we have desperate need. Anything to promote this technology can only help.

I wonder if folks will flock to diesels, find out that they can run on heating oil, and start a unparalleled loss in fuel tax revenue? The other side of this is that for no obvious reason, diesel fuel is now more costly than premium gas fuel. WTF?

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"