Motor Trend - Who makes the world's best diesels, GM or Mercedes?

[Merc1]

It's almost an epidemic. In the last two weeks, we've listened to three big automakers make thoughtful and detailed presentations about their current and future engine lineups. Clearly, they want us to know they're working their butts off to get the best technologies (meaning the most fuel efficient ones) into your next new vehicle. They want all of us to know they've got a coordinated powertrain strategy and their choices aren't random. Companies like Mercedes-Benz and General Motors seem to have the lead when it comes to state of the art diesel technologies, and recently we've had a chance to look at both with a magnifying glass. Here's what we've seen.


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M

[Just_me]

Answer: BMW

[dr Dunkel]

Originally Posted by Just_me

Answer: BMW

Truth spoken.

[Tycoon]

Who makes the world's best diesels, GM or Mercedes?

What a stupid question...

[Mockenrue]

[dr Dunkel]

Originally Posted by Tycoon

Who makes the world's best diesels, GM or Mercedes?

What a stupid question...

Well, it is an American magazine and they have very little experience with these matters. They still don't get any of the good diesels in the world but things are about to change.

[dr Dunkel]

@ the Audi fan

I think, if Audi would make as good street diesels as they do race engines they would do just fine!

[klier]

Originally Posted by dr Dunkel

@ the Audi fan

I think, if Audi would make as good street diesels as they do race engines they would do just fine!

LOL, seriously....I was wondering when the racecar V12 TDI would show up here....People are being brainwashed by Audi and it's diesel commercials.
That race engine has nothing to do with the normal diesels they make over there. Incomparable.

Seriously, if anyone comes close to BMW when making a new diesel, let me know.
I agree with Tycoon, what a stupid question....must be an American magazine again..they always have the stupid questions ready...

[cawimmer430]

What actually defines the "best diesel"? Performance? Engine response? Fuel economy? Cleanliness?

If that's the case then there is actually a very strong argument for Bluetec diesel technology from Mercedes. All these factors are favorably combined in one package and this technology is now acceptable to drive in all states of America. Do Audi or BMW diesels fulfill this criteria?

I am not trying to start a flame war, but this is a simple question for the topic at hand.

[Just_me]

Best New Engine of 2008
BMW 2-litre Diesel Twin Turbo

BMW’s ‘efficient dynamics’ mantra: increased overall power, lower weight, and a reduction in emissions.

include an all-aluminium crankcase, third-generation common-rail fuel injectors, and a state-of-the-art diesel particulate filter. Like the 3-litre, this engine, codenamed N47D, sports both a large and small exhaust gas turbocharger, the latter operating at lower engine speeds, the bigger one being called upon when extra power is required.

Weight savings have been made largely thanks to a new engine design that helped to cut 17kg from the outgoing version. Arguably the biggest change was made to the intake ducts, which now have a larger diameter to aid the gas charge cycle, and are placed upright, fitting straight into the combustion chambers. The shape of said chambers has been refined, helping to realise a 16:1 compression ratio.

“More than 100bhp per litre from a diesel? Forget the gasoline engine in your 1- or 3-Series – this is the powerplant to get.”




2007 Winners
2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre Twin Turbo

2006 Winners
2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre Twin Turbo Diesel

2005 Winners
2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre Twin-Turbo Diesel