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It may come as a surprise to some AudiWorld readers that Audi has so much vested interest in diesel engines. After all, Audi currently does not offer any diesel powertrains within their single largest export market: North America. The reason for this is fairly clear. The general US perception of diesel is not very good at the moment. We can thank very poorly engineered, unreliable, and slow domestic diesel offerings in the mid 1980’s for giving many this mindset. Also, the current diesel infrastructure (outside of major highway truck stops, not every service station offers diesel) and low quality/high sulfur US diesel fuel make this a losing proposition at the moment for Audi. The current fuel standard put in place October 1993 limits sulfur content to 500 ppm (parts per million). This is ten times higher than the current European norm of 50 ppm. The high sulfur content prevents the use of high pressure injection technologies, particulate filters, and contributes heavily to emission levels, soot, smoke, and odors in diesel engines. What this means to the consumer is that with high sulfur fuel, a diesel engine cannot be produced which offers a high level of performance along with meeting current emission levels at a reasonable price. The fuel is the limiting factor within the US currently, not the engine.
Things are going to change later this year as the sulfur content of US fuel is scheduled to drop to 15 ppm in mid-late 2006. We expect to see many more diesel options on the North American market come 2007 as the low sulfur fuel will allow the use of the high technology/clean burning diesel engines that Europe has been enjoying for years. With this in mind, it seems like Audi has picked a pretty good time to hit the track and win a bunch of races with its diesel powered race car. Audi is hoping the success of this program will improve the US perception of diesel engines and show that performance and economy are not mutually excusive. So far, Audi’s plan is working flawlessly. After winning the 12 hours of Sebring endurance race in March, the two factory backed Audi R10’s took Le Mans by storm. In a very convincing manor, Audi earned Le Mans’ first diesel victory during the 2006 24 hours of Le Mans race. They set the fastest qualifying lap. They set the fastest race lap. They led every single race lap and took home the checkered flag putting the #8 car (Biela, Pirro, Werner) in first place and the #7 car (Capello, Kristensen, McNish) in third. The cars were near bulletproof. The rare unscheduled pitstop was dealt with very quickly and efficiently by the Audi teams. A transmission gear cluster had to be replaced in the winning #8 car, but this was done in less than 10 minutes due to a very serviceable gearbox design and a well rehearsed pit crew. The level of domination was not much of a surprise. It was known from the very beginning that the Audis had a clear advantage over the gasoline field. For one, diesel fuel has higher energy content per volume than gasoline. Considering that the diesel cars have the same sized gas tank as the gasoline cars in Le Mans racing, this is an approximate 10% advantage for the Audi R10 TDI from the start. Secondly, diesel engines are more efficient overall than equivalent gasoline engines due to higher compression ratios used and the absence of a throttle plate. This allowed Audi travel up to 16 laps between fuel stops which was multiple laps longer than the gasoline competitors. Lastly, the amazingly flat and broad torque characteristic produced by modern diesel engines mean power is available at nearly any useable RPM. The V-12 engine in Audi’s R10 TDI is rumored to create in excess of 700 hp and 885 ft-lbs of torque. The torque is delivered in a plateau between 3,000 and 5,000 RPM. This rev range is very low for a race engine, further increasing reliability and decreasing wear. Fewer shifts are required with this torque curve and the car can get by with a stronger 5 speed gearbox versus the usual 6 speed selection. The sound of the R10 TDI’s V-12 powerplant is actually quite quiet for a race car. It sounds very turbine-like. There is no clatter, no smoke and no smell. Dual particle filters on board see to it that the R10 is not only the fastest car on the race track, it’s also the cleanest. Fastest. Most reliable. Most economical. Cleanest. Audi is making a powerful statement with TDI technology.
What does Audi’s success with the R10 TDI mean for us? Well, Audi wants to show that the same attributes which make the R10 win races also make 50% of Europeans choose diesel power over gasoline. It seems clear that modern diesel engines fit the American driving style very well. Americans love torque and diesel engines deliver it abundantly. People in America drive further than people in other countries, so the approximate 30% fuel consumption benefits (under normal driving conditions) would be happily realized. America has always had a large faction of enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering and tuning their cars. Diesels, being turbocharged, cater to this as well. Simple chip upgrades are known to produce massive power gains with minimal side effects. The largest hurdle of diesel has always been the minor things: smell, sound and rough nature. Technology is finally working its way around those obstacles. When Audi decides to bring some of their diesel offerings to America, we highly suggest that you try them with an open mind. Many Americans will be pleasantly surprised at the unique and economical, yet sporty, driving experience the modern diesel engine has to offer.
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