23 August 2006
JCB DIESELMAX HITS 350 MPH AND BREAKS OWN DIESEL LAND SPEED RECORD





Bonneville Salt Flats: Today the record-breaking JCB DIESELMAX achieved a stunning 350mph (563kph)* to break its own land speed record for diesel-powered cars set yesterday by Andy Green.

On Tuesday, JCB DIESELMAX became the world’s fastest diesel when Green drove it to an FIA-sanctioned speed of 328.767mph (526.027kph). Today he improved on that significantly with a new record of 350.092mph (563.418kph) after two passes in opposite directions, within one hour.

Running soon after daybreak he recorded 365.779mph (588.664kph) on his first run and 335.695mph (540.248kph) on his return, giving the average of 350.092mph (563.418kph).

As he was feted by his jubilant crew, Green said: “I am so pleased that we have got the car to 350mph which was always our ultimate goal and that was with a slow start to the second run. There is so much more to come as the car is pulling like a train and we still haven’t used sixth gear!

“Today’s record proves the potential we have always believed JCB DIESELMAX to possess. This is another great result for a wonderful team and a testament to British engineering.”

"350mph is a fantastic speed for a diesel-powered car. To have built the world's fastest diesel in such a short timescale is a wonderful achievement for the JCB DIESELMAX team,” said Dr Tim Leverton, Project Director. “What is even more impressive is to set three records – 317.021mph, 328.767mph (526.027 kph) and 350.092mph (563.418kph) in only six days.

"Once again we have demonstrated the engineering and team effort that has gone into creating this extraordinary car.”

JCB DIESELMAX was JCB Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford's brainchild, born of his desire to showcase the extreme performance of the JCB444 diesel engine which normally powers the company's backhoe loaders and Loadall telescopic handlers.

After watching today’s runs he said: “Yesterday’s triumph was thrilling, and better than I had expected. Today’s surpasses even that. We have proved that we can do it, and we have the world’s fastest diesel car and engine. The JCB DIESELMAX team has worked at times in adversity and faced numerous heartaches with fortitude. These record-breaking successes prove to the world the excellence of British engineering and teamwork.”

*subject to official ratification by the FIA.

JCB DIESELMAX

Very interesting Tonk,
Did you know Audi won Le Mans with a diesel as well?

Indeed, diesel technology has come a very long way in the last 30 years, at least in Europe, the diesel engine isn't so popular in the US, what went wrong there?

Saw this today, could prove an interesting marriage.

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AUGUST 24, 2006
JCB on the move

The JCB construction machinery company is reported to have ambitions beyond the world of diggers and its chairman Sir Anthony Bamford has indicated that it might be interested in buying the Jaguar brand from the Ford Motor Company, if Ford was willing to sell Jaguar on its own.

Bamford's remarks came after JCB set a new land speed record for diesel cars at Bonneville salt flats in Utah, where Wing Commander Andy Green, the man who set the outright world land speed record of 763.035mph with Thrust SSC in the Black Rock Desert in October1997, recorded a two-run average speed of 328.767mph on Tuesday and then upped the record to 350.092 mph on Wednesday.

JCB remains a family-owned business but it is incredibly successful, emplying 6,300 people around the world in 17 factories. The company made 45,000 machines last year, had sales of $2.5bn and made a profit of $195m. The company has no history in automobiles but J C Bamford (Excavators) Ltd dates back to 1945 when Sir Anthony's father Joseph Bamford set up the business. It has enjoyed success in construction equipment but also in tractors.

Making the jump from tractors to sports cars may not sound very likely but one must not forget that Ferruccio Lamborghini began his career as a tractor manufacturer before setting up Automobili Lamborghini.

Bamford has a talent for unusual forms of publicity, establishing the JCB Dancing Digger display team to show the versatility of the products.

Bamford says that Jaguar would need to be downsized and believes that the firm should concentrate on its higher performance models, but he believes that the company has a long-term future, despite its losses and is interested in doing a deal.

And while it may be rather premature to make such predictions, one can imagine that JCB Jaguar would be a company with sporting intentions.

Grandprix.com

Interesting article.

What went wrong in the US largely can be blamed on General Motors and their 5.7 liter diesel they introduced on the late 70's.
They did a half-assed conversion of a popular gasoline V8 engine. It proved to be a smoke belching piece of ######.(they fixed it by 1984 but it was too late)
Ford also screwed up in the mid 80's with an International Harvester diesel they installed in light truck (I actually had bought one of these new) But the early ones had an injector pump flaw which Ford wasn't forthcoming about issuing a recall. (they finally issued a recall after I was fed up and had already sold the vehicle)
Then there was Volkswagen as well with their screw up. In 1978 they'd introduced a diesel golf/rabbit. Built in germany this car was pretty good even though it has a modified gasoline engine and not a true diesel. These car were fine until they started producing them in Pennsylvania which had disastrously poor quality control. This just about ruined VWoNA.

The only good diesel back then available was in a Mercedes Benz car and the odd small Isuzu truck.

This and the fact that environmentalists didn't like these early generation smoke belching diesels caused them to hike the taxes on diesel fuel to negate the savings in the cost fuel.

Now the DOT and the EPA make it very difficult for a manufacturer to introduce a new diesel engine into the market place.
Companies like Toyota and Isuzu who have excellent small diesels wont touch the USA market anymore largely due to the government overregulation.
If small diesel truck like the ones here in Thailand where available in the USA they would sell. If only the feds got out of the way.

What obstacles specifically?

Last year over 50% of vehicle sales in Europe were diesel powered, those figures will probably be closer to 60% this year. Sulphur free diesel and petrol will be the standard in Europe by 2009, currently we have Ultra Low Sulphur (<50ppm). Exhaust systems with re-generative particulate filters are becoming standard. Are American EPA requirements stricter?

I'm not sure but the only "new" diesels introduced into the US have been the VW TDI and the MB CDI.
While many very efficient Isuzu and Toyota diesels abound elsewhere in the world

Sat Oct 7, 12:58 PM ET

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's carmakers are looking to join forces to push clean diesels in the U.S. market with the Bluetec technology developed by Mercedes-Benz and diesel injection system specialist Bosch.

Starting in 2008, Volkswagen, its premium unit Audi, BMW and Mercedes aim to launch and market Bluetec in the world's largest car market, where diesel has a market share of just 5 percent versus 50 percent in western Europe.

Spokespersons for Volkswagen and Mercedes parent DaimlerChrysler confirmed a report in German industry newspaper Automobilwoche to be published on Monday.

Aside from a quicker market penetration, the alliance is hoping to gain cost savings in purchasing the specific modules that mainly stem from Bosch, the world's largest automotive parts supplier.

Bluetec diesels fulfil the stringent U.S. emission norm Bin 5 that goes into effect in 2009.

Actually TONK, in an effort at narrowing your yank bashing propensity, you might want to research Diesel usage in the US before priding the feathers in dance.


Myth: "Diesel passenger cars aren't common; there are only a few models to choose from."

Fact: According to one auto parts catalog, from 1960 to 2002, over 25 Manufacturers have made at least 236 different passenger vehicle models with diesel engines.

For example, in 1984 there were 119 different diesel models available. Many popular cars were made as diesels: Toyota Camry & Tercel, Nissan Sentra, Pontiac Grand Prix, Mazda 626, Jeep Cherokee, Ford Escort, Chevy Caprice & Impala, and Volvo 760.

Years of Diesel Production per Model
1960-2002 American and Canadian Passenger Automobiles
Make - Model Years as a Diesel Model

http://www.gobiodiesel.org/count_years.html

1510 Entries
Make Model Years Engine Country (US / Can.)

http://www.gobiodiesel.org/years.html

Actual availability is another issue though. Let us know if you have info on how many diesel passenger vehicles have been sold, per year, per model, etc. One indicator of availability is the number of years a model was made as a diesel. Also, just because a diesel model was made, doesn't make it a good vehicle. Some early 80's diesel engines were rushed into production and had major design flaws.

Continue on to 236 unique models that were made as diesels...
(Which leads to another list of 1510 model and year combinations.)

2006 Diesels:

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/...ttribute=diesel


Clean diesel vehicle? Get hybrid-car tax benefits!
New Energy Law offers Will Provide up to $3,400 in Tax Incentives for Diesel Cars, Trucks and SUVs

http://www.dancewithshadows.com/auto/diesel-hybrid-tax.asp

2006 Diesel Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) Conference

The 12th Diesel Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) Conference will be held on August 20-24, 2006, in Detroit, Michigan. For more than a decade, the DEER Conference has been the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) primary mechanism for the public exchange of state-of-the-art clean diesel research and development (R&D).

DEER brings together professionals in the clean diesel community including engineers, scientists, academics, State and Regional regulators, environmental researchers and nonprofit organizations. At DEER 2006, DOE will showcase its cooperatively funded R&D with its partners, national laboratories, the nation's automotive transportation industry, universities, and other national and international organizations. DEER fosters the exchange of information and best practices through presentations and posters from new and ongoing diesel R&D and through networking with industry colleagues.

DEER 2006 offers cutting edge research results on:

* Advanced Combustion Technologies
* Diesel Engine Development
* Emission Control Technologies
* Fuels and Lubricants
* Waste Heat Recovery

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfue...deer/index.html

Sorry Trader but Bob and I were having a discussion on diesel engines, I was unaware that I was either "yank bashing" or "priding the feathers in dance", you seem keen to seek an argument where none exists.

My apology good sir, if you assumed that my intention was to argue. I merely noted an unsupported statement,as I often notice, this time about how Europe was dealing with the issue under discussion and the implications implied in your comments inquirying as to where is the US or somethng to that affect.

I merely provided facts as to where the US has been and is as to the use of Diesel. I can't assume you would find facts argumentive?

Thought I think if you honestly looked at the implication within your presented facts added to your "where is" comments that I noted, you might see them rather angled in the directions that you infer.

Nontheless, I did give you many facts as to where the US is on diesel did I not?

Good article

Small diesel cars are a better solution to the energy issues than the smug little hybrids.