Evolution of a Banksy

A collaborative investigation takes on new meaning via Flickr discussions:

Some folks just didn’t agree with Banksy’s opinion of the military so they painted out the two figures. Whoever buffed the figure on the left took great care not to spoil the window (it’s not real, Banksy painted it) but the figure on the right was badly botched, although the shopping cart was preserved.

Click on the image to see the evolution and discussion:

Diesel Sportwagon

Here is a high-level overview of the 2009 VW Jetta TDI package, which sports the latest diesel technology:

In sum, it’s a 60mpg diesel vehicle that weighs 3000lb and has 236 ft/lb torque with low emissions. In fact the emissions are so low it won the green car award at the LA show, beating the most popular hybrids. The VW 4motion sport wagon will give the new Subaru diesels a run for the money.

RIP gasoline.

Or, in the words of the reviewer, this car is “Doggone awesome!”

This is what I was talking about when I said the assumptions in a Stanford energy study were askew.

…starts at just $19,075

Hmmm, looks very similar to a Passat TDI I bought in 2004.

Wonder if there will be an upgrade for the 2.0L engine, or at least a remap for the computer. I get 40mpg with a bigger vehicle, which isn’t bad. Ha, imagine the auto industry providing upgrades like replacing a CPU. No update on the Cadillac options I wrote about a while ago.

Diesel wins Dakar Rally

It is no surprise to those familiar with new diesel engines that they are winning major motorsports events around the world. Audi has dominated the Le Mans in a diesel, and now VW has done the same for the Dakar Rally. Incidentally, this is the first Dakar victory for VW:

De Villiers and navigator Dirk von Zitzewitz of Germany in a Race Touareg finished 8 minutes 59 seconds ahead of fellow Volkswagen driver Mark Miller of the United States.

It was the first diesel-powered win in the event which was switched this year to Argentina and Chile after last year’s edition in Africa was called off amid security concerns.

There really is nothing left to criticize of diesel engines compared with gasoline. The diesel technology burns cleaner, with more performance and better efficiency. It is sad that so few people drive or even appreciate diesel in America.