It looks like Audi winning LeMans and the ALMS was enough R&D for Peugeot.  Next year Peugeot will no longer be bringing a knife to a gun fight, and will be entering their own diesel.

One of the main reason’s for the advantage Audi had this year was the fact that their diesel engine was able to run two more laps per tank than the gassers.  An advantage they definitely capitolized on.

Source: Supercars.net

(I just wanted another reason to show the Audi R10 and team)

Here’s an interesting read I found coming from ShanghaiDaily.com.

China needs to start worrying about their energy use now.  There is a constantly increasing use of non-renewable energy(coal, gas, and oil) around the world, and China may become the biggest user unless plans are set in place now on how to conserve.  They are correctly worrying that the increasing use means the increasing pollution that will soon follow.

China’s GDP has been growing and right now their use of energy consumption per unit of GDP is higher than America or Japan.  The opinion of the writer, however, is that that means they have the most potential to progress in the realm of energy savings and efficiency, and they can start by adopting the US’s energy technologies.

China will reach the US level of total vehicles owned in 30-40 years and that means even greater consumption of natural resources.  Plans need to be in place now to ensure the least polluting and most efficient path is the one traveled.

In developed countries, there are basically two advanced technologies - diesel and hybrid.

The diesel engine is more efficient than the gasoline engine, but produces more pollutants. In Europe, most locomotives are diesel driven. But in countries like the United States and Japan, people prefer hybrid vehicles.

In China, diesel vehicles are gradually becoming popular. However, as air pollution is already serious in big cities, using diesel requires introducing advanced technologies to reduce pollution.

Alternative transport fuels include natural gas-based fuels, coal-based fuels, methanol, FT diesel (ultra low sulfur), biofuels, corn/cellulose ethanol, soybean biodiesel and hydrogen produced from different energy resources.

Each alternative fuel has its own merits and disadvantages. Perhaps it would be better for us to advocate the diversification of fuels for the transport sector.

I think with the new Tier2 Bin5 emissions regulations in place now, and the fact that manufacturers have the technology to meet those stringent guidelines, diesel can be counted on to be a viable path.

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Volvo AB, already owner of 13% of Nissan Diesel Motor, today bought out the remaining 6% of Nissan Motor Co.’s stake.   Volvo will also be purchasing Nissan Motor and banks’ preference shares between 2008 and 2014.  The grand total of this investment will be the equivalent of $553.2 million in crowns(4 billion).  Volvo will now have a 46.5 percent of ownership of Nissan Diesel.
Nissan say’s it will still retain it’s business partnership and work together on contract production and development of light commercial vehicles and engines.  Nissan Diesel is the fourth and smallest truck maker in Japan.

Volvo is targeting India next, and is in the middle of negotiating with Indian truck aker Ashok Leyland Ltd.  Daimler Chrysler, the world’s largest truck maker, is also reaching out to India trying to expand ties with Tata Motors Ltd.

Truck makers are looking to continue growth by expanding into Asia, a fairly untapped market.

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