Diesel cars

Touted as an eco answer to petrol cars, diesels are on the rise, but are they really the greener choice?

Diesel engines have traditionally been considered reliable workhorses: sturdy, tractor-pulling, truck-driving, long-distance beasts. No one imagined a diesel engine could be responsible for speeds more suited to a race car.

In Europe, diesel cars make up 53 per cent of all new car registrations. In Australia, that figure is around 6.5 per cent. However, with improvements in performance and a surge in popularity (thanks to Jenson), diesel engines are gaining traction in the car market Down Under.

A recent study from the motoring organisation found that up to 28 per cent less fuel is used by the diesel version of a car. It seems an open and shut case. Diesels are more fuel-efficient and less damaging to the climate. But there's more to the story.
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