Which is better - Diesel or Gas?

Diesel is the choice of fuel in most parts of Europe whereas petrol is favored in most other parts of the globe, but which one is better? One way to find out is by testing both engine types using the same car and judging criteria. Click here to see the Fifth gear video reviews.
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david989 - 9/20/2007 9:01:22 AM

-6 Boost

Neither.

Hybrids are the answer.

w209w114 - 9/20/2007 9:24:17 AM

+4 Boost

Id say it depends what the purpose of the car is. Thats actually a really absurd question dannyboy. You cant compare.

jeffy210 - 9/20/2007 9:45:18 AM

+3 Boost

w209, you're right on about that one. It all depends on purpose. Long highway driving or high load carrying, diesel will win. Smaller short trips in city driving, hybrids win hands down. Gas even with the new DiesOtto engines is starting to show its limitations.

Customizing the engine to the application as well as advancing the technologies is the best way to go.

Htay7500 - 9/21/2007 8:40:01 AM

+2 Boost

its just like asking which is better? manual or automatic.

and either way both gas diesels and hybrids AREN'T the answer.

Audiphile - 9/20/2007 11:05:23 AM

+3 Boost

This video, though technically correct, is a bit misleading. Even though the diesel Mini has 50% more torque than its petrol sibling, all of that torque is developed at low rpms (1750-2000 rpm). That, combined with the fact that it has 8% less hp than the gas-powered car, will put the diesel at a disadvantage on a racetrack competition, with both engines running flatout (i.e., high rpm).

However, hardly anybody drives like that in the real world. Not even when you are having a bit of fun on a twisty couontry road with no traffic, would you drive like that. Running at the lower rpms typical of real-world driving, the huge grunt of the diesel would work to its advantage.

I went to Mini's UK website, and discovered something interesting. As expected, a Mini Cooper outfitted with an automatic transmission would be slower and thirstier than its manual counterpart. However, the diesel automatic Mini accelerates faster and has a higher top speed than the petrol automatic car! Go figure!

S4cabriofoxone - 9/20/2007 7:17:44 PM

+2 Boost

DIESEL for a car that I would drive every day, gas for a sportier vehicle that I'd take to track meets and such.

MikeMini - 12/13/2008 6:39:37 PM

+1 Boost

Why is that no one can explain why the Diesel Mini is "frugal" with an actual fuel consumption of 45.6 mpg and has a Peugot 207 engine inside. Even my Toyota Rav4 does 40 mpg and has a better turning circle!! I do not read reviews which do not mention real fuel consumption as I think these reviews are written from the behind the bar at the local horse race.

MikeMini - 12/13/2008 6:39:38 PM

+1 Boost