>JD> the traditional objections and shortcomings of Diesel engines 
 >JD> are being overcome with newer technology,
 > 
 > What are those?
Excessive weight, hard starting when they're cold, noise, and smoking.
Many people forget that no technology is static unless/until it's abandoned 
altogether. There have been many engines proposed to eliminate the 
conventional gasoline-fueled piston engine. Turbines, steam, electric, and 
rotary come to mine. And while each offers their own advantages, they have 
disadvantages, too. Meanwhile, the technology for the old piston engine keeps 
evolving, making them better and better.
Many people look fondly upon the 'big iron' of the '60's, yet few would say 
that those engines were 'better' than today's stuff. We have better 
reliability, longevity, economy, starting, and emissions than those antiques 
could even think of. The only thing that today's piston engines lack in 
comparison is brute horsepower, and that's not because the technolgy is 
lacking.
Same thing with Diesels: many people wrote them off because of the 
above-mentioned objections. Yet most of those can be overcome or at least 
minimized with better engineering. The new VW TDI (Turbo Direct Injection) 
engines are a good example. Quiet, easy starting, no smoke. And the Passatt 
gets over well 40 MPG in normal driving. If it holds up as well as my '91 
Jetta Diesel (213,000 miles and counting), it'll be a fine outfit.
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