R10 TDI Diesel Power

Even the casual observer can't help but wonder what Audi's decisive win at Le Mans will mean for the future of diesel technology. On one hand it was a brilliant PR victory over detractors who have long claimed that diesel engines are noisy, smelly, and lack performance. On the other hand it fails address the fact that traditional diesel fuel isn't the environmental alternative fuel we're looking for, but it's a nice step.

The real holdback with this technology is not that manufacturers are reluctant to use it. In fact quite a few already employee diesel power plants in some designs. The question instead: is the public ready for the new diesel? In spite of the fact that it packs more energy by volume than gasoline, it's still distilled from petroleum. Unless you run a bio-diesel, which one could argue is a legitimate environmental conserving technology, it's hard to feel good about throwing down the extra money for the technology.

The other problem is that bio-diesel is different than petrol diesel. Effectively bringing this technology to market has as much to do with fuel supply as it does with technology. Several companies are currently developing bio-diesel powerplants, and one race team has already come forward with plans to field such an engine in 2007 at Le Mans. However since they have only a fraction of the budget of Volkswagen Audi Group they are aiming for simply finishing the grueling event. But inspite of proving it's worth in racing, the bio-diesel engine will never become a major player until someone figures out how to mass produce the fuel. There simply isn't enough cooking oil to go around.

At any rate it's nice to see that some circles have considered the idea of diversified fuels and propulsion methods. It's also nice to see the first baby steps by a major manufacturer toward weaning the world off its "if it ain't gas" mentality. The next few years should be very interesting as we not only refine our current technologies, but strive to bring new alternatives to market.