Originally Posted by
Hacker15e
Most current diesels on the road here in the UK don't look/sound/smell any different than any other car. The only way you can tell they're diesel is by the "D" or "TDI" or what have you badge on the trunk.
Now they don't, but they sure did 20 years ago. Americans like their cars to be smooth, quiet, powerful, and clean. Diesels like that are a new thing by any account. The clean dirty part is the latest improvement, special high tech catalytic converters are being introduced lately by the big European makers. They cost too much but at least they exist.