Re: Petrol v Diesel in Alfa engines

John Chapman wrote:

> My 1999 Alfa 146 has 1.6 TS petrol engine and 89000 miles on the clock.
> One of the really nice things with this car is that it will pull away 
> from 20 mph
>  in 5th gear so that once you are under way you can sail through 
> roundabouts
> and some junctions without changing gear.

This is the complete opposite of most diesel vs petrol views especially 
with Alfas!

Alfa petrols are traditionally high revving engines requiring lots of 
gear changing to enjoy. The modern TS engines have a bit more torque low 
down but nothing to compare with a modern turbo diesel.

The general view from petrol heads like me is that Italian cars are 
*meant* to rev, hence I find diesels at odds with that. The alternative 
view is that times have changed and high torque diesels are just as 
quick and a more relaxed drive with economy. It comes down to preference.

As Zathras says you must be off turbo in the diesel and as Steve says 
the gearing is different as diesels have a lower and more limited rev 
range so the gearing is higher.

Try accelerating hard in 5th in the diesel at say 40mph and you would 
need to change down a couple of gears in a petrol to achieve the same.

The issue most have going from a sporty petrol to a sporty diesel is the 
opposite, they will find they run out of steam just when the petrol is 
starting to fly because they are in the wrong rev band. Which is why it 
doesn't always feel sporty as less is more with the diesel.

Cheers
Tony