12 Votes

Boost it!

Ultra-Clean A8 Diesel Runs on Shell Synfuel (NYC)

610looper submitted on 5/28/2007 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 11:57:39 PM

8 user comments | Category: Spy News | Source: | SOURCE: autocar.co.uk

The world's metropolitan law-makers gathered in New York this week (14-17 May), at the C40 Climate Summit, with the aim of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the routes to do that is right under their noses, however – a diesel Audi A8, shown at the summit itself, that runs on squeaky clean fuel.

The A8 TDI runs on Shell's Synfuel, a gas-to-liquid propellant manufactured from natural gas that's entirely free from sulphur and aromatics.

When burned, Synfuel produces 35 per cent less soot, 93 per cent less carbon monoxide, nine per cent less nitrogen oxides and five per cent less carbon dioxide than conventional diesel fuel. Unlike diesel, it produces no sulphur dioxide at all. And, according to Shell, it can be used in any diesel-engined Audi model without any retrofitting measures.


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User Comments

S4cabriofoxone

Wow. This makes me really, really want an A8L 4.2TDI.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 12:20:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

huu76

Definitely sounds better than biodiesel. Aside from why they've waited so long to announce it, I'd say the only drawback is perhaps it's come too late.
Existing diesel engines can use it, so basically only Europe. With hydrogen and PEV's just around the corner (within the next decade), I can't see it catching on in N.America.

There's the question of cost as well. Will shell want to sell this for the same or less than what they sell gas/diesel right now?

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 12:29:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

LexusLunatic

this is proof that diesels are just as good as lexus hybrid but in different form. i like the quiet hybrid more but diesel has been popular in europe for so long it is good accomplishment.

— LexusLunatic (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 3:11:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Audi4Life

i like audi focusing on current technology and developpin it to its limits other than starting to focus on future technology like hybrids and probably dealing with many problems which may affect the $ of the company and even freeze the idea itslelf

— Audi4Life (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 7:26:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Rupert

This sounds good.
The A8 4.2 tdi is already a great car (0-60 in 5.8 and 33 US highway mpg), this makes it better.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 8:55:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

johannas

The Synfuel seems to have the lower emmisions taken care of, which is half the problem. But it's still made from a non-renewable source right? Natural gas?

— johannas (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 10:05:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

EnnNorak

Well done Audi! However, my dream car is still the 500 h.p. V12 Q7 TDI.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 10:56:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

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