Diesel is the fuel of choice across Europe. Motoring Editor Michael McAleer on why its not soaring here yet, and on two super new diesels
As a committed petrolhead it's always been hard to highlight the saving graces of diesel engines without a twinge of hypocrisy creeping in.
Yet in the last year we've had the opportunity to drive some real winners from the oil-burning brigade, none more so than in the last few weeks where we got behind the wheel of two very impressive diesels for some long-haul motoring.
The first was the BMW 530d, the second the Audi A8, the car of choice for the Irish presidency of the EU and one that matched expectations in 3.7-litre petrol but blew us away in 4-litre diesel format.
Diesel sales internationally are now running at 40.3 per cent, according to the Association Auxilaire de l'Automobile. Topping the European pole is Austria with 69.6 per cent. France is there with 63.2 per cent and even the car crazy Italians are opting for diesel in 43.5 per cent of their sales. We, on the other hand, are only managing 16.4 per cent penetration. As we take on the EU presidency and prepare to demonstrate our credientials as good Europeans, Irish motorists should bow their heads in collective shame.
With our agrarian heritage we have far more association of dealing with diesel in terms of utility. The idea of mixing it with the likes of the luxury executive models seems rather anathema. The principle goes that anything with that much legroom in the back that runs on diesel must be a taxi.
Yet here we found two plush models, complete with every extra and gadget imaginable, from air-conditioned seats in the BMW (yes, you can set it that cold air blows onto your back from vents in the seat) through to adjustable suspension settings in the Audi. Both came trimmed in leather.
But the gadgets were not why we were so taken by the cars, for they could just as well be fitted to petrol versions. Our main interest with these models was in their raw power.
On the petrol side of the A8 range we've driven both the 3.7-litre V8 (280 bhp) and 4.2-litre V8 (335 bhp). But they merely met standards already set. Even on a relatively short drive in the 4.2-litre, we found the difference between the two models was minimal. The diesel is another matter.
At 275 bhp it may not be the most potent of the A8 range in terms - carrying the sort of bhp that matches the 3.7-litre petrol model.
But it does manage to pack a powerful punch in relation to torque, carrying 650 Newton Metres (Nm) of pulling power compared to 350 Nm for the 3.7-litre petrol. In fact, it's 220 Nm more than even the 4.2-litre flagship model.
Torque is where all diesels receive the most accolades. Perhaps the best example of this force comes in the A8. Bury the right pedal and the nose lifts. But, more imporantly, it's like being on the descent in a rollercoaster. The leather wraps around your back and the seat seems to scoop you up and throw you forward.
Yet, we hear the cry from the executive car park, "we don't want the judder of a taxi as we start off in the morning". Certainly not if you've dipped into your wallet for €109,300, and that's before you add on the usual extras which brought the total for our test car up to €135,000. At that price you expect the car to purr. And that's exactly what it does. This car could fool many a self-appointed car aficionado.
The biggest problem we had with it was trying to keep it below the legal limits, particularly in 30 mph zones where it seems to idle at about 25 mph. It's certainly fast enough one would think, for any desperate dash to the airport by EU dignitaries with Garda outriders in tow.
The same can be said of the BMW 530d, full of torque and low rev pulling power, and complete with a host of optional extras, if a little less discreet than the A8 in terms of acoustic pleasure.
The 530d manages 0-62 mph in 7.9 seconds against its petrol equivalent's time of 7.5 seconds. Rated at 218 bhp, it only gives away 13 bhp to the petrol-powered 530i and yet its peak torque offering is 200 Nm greater.
Perhaps the biggest problem with diesels of late, and arguably a contributory factor to its failure to feature in the Christmas list for many Irish motorists is that, despite the fact it still needs to overcome some image problems - however unfair these days - the manufacturers continue to charge a premium price. Thankfully that's not the case with BMW, for its 530d is matched against its 530i petrol model, both on sale at €64,000.
As good as the A8 TDi is, it's still difficult to argue for the extra €12,000 in the premium on the similarly powered 3.7-litre petrol model. Apart of course from the impressive fuel consumption figures of 28.8 mpg compared to 23.7 mpg. Even though we've rarely managed to match the official figures, we did get 23.8 mpg during our test in the A8. For such a large car, that's really frugal.
There's no questioning the A8s comfort or luxury, and it has a classic look. In this age where character seems more important to the electorate than policies, the EU leaders could do worse than requesting the inclusion of a few diesel models in fleet from the German marque.
In fact they could do far worse than opting for either of these German oil burners, both of which manage to win over even the most ardent petrol addict.