Subaru Boxer Turbo Diesel Engine Set for Geneva Premiere

[kach22i]

Did Porsche or VW ever make something similar? I know what the article says, but is it right?


http://www.thecarlounge.com/news/publish/article_701.shtml
The world’s first horizontally-opposed turbo diesel engine – offering exceptional refinement and smoothness – makes it debut at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show next month on the Subaru stand.

The Japanese all-wheel drive specialist – renowned for producing cars with outstanding chassis dynamics and active safety – will be displaying an entire drivetrain at the ’show.

Subaru believes passionately in its ‘boxer’ engines which are more compact than in-line units and provide a much lower centre-of-gravity.

This reduces body roll for safer cornering and also enhances handling precision such as during a sudden lane-change manoeuvre on a motorway.

Due for its first vehicle application early next year, the Subaru ‘boxer’ turbo diesel is a highly rigid unit with low levels of noise and vibration.

Not only does this eliminate the need for a balancer shaft which counters uneven combustion pressures and general roughness, but Subaru’s first diesel is as compact as its petrol sisters and combines unusually strong pulling power at low engine speeds with high-rev throttle-response.

Both the engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive drivetrain will be unveiled as part of Subaru’s press conference at the ’show on March 6 at 10.15 am




Has anyone ever made a Diesel rotary/Wankel? Is that even possible in theory?

[notfarnow]

Porsche designed a horizontally opposed diesel for VW in 51, and it was used in a couple beetle test "mules".

Apparently, it was slow. Hard to believe.


Interstingly, it's rumored that Ferdinand had one of these engines in a 356 for a while.

Not turbocharged though, so I guess Subabru is right.

[NICKG]

a diesel rotary would work, the rotary design actually would lend itself to a diesel well

[kach22i]

Thanks for the answers.

This rotary is connected with Moller air-car, buyer beware.

http://www.freedom-motors.com/

[kach22i]

UPDATE: 02/26/07

Great link on the Porsche/VW diesel in 1951, project 508:
http://www.geocities.com/allanwilliamsvw/articles/diesel/diesel.html



moTthediesel
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?p=126893#post126893

Here's the odd thing -- Porsche not being the type of outfit to let research go to waste, the bottom end designed for this diesel was used for the next generation 356 engine. So all subsiquent Porsche 4 cylinder air cooled engines up through the last 912's in 1969 had their roots in the Porsche/VW air cooled diesel.

[legion]

Originally posted by NICKG
a diesel rotary would work, the rotary design actually would lend itself to a diesel well

Hmm...

No need for spark plugs (one of the drawbacks of gasoline rotaries).

Diesel could potentially act as the apex seal lubricant. (No oil at all?)

Would have to be direct injection (is the Renesis?).

A turbo wouldn't be a problem...

Why aren't these being produced?

[dd74]

Subscribing.

[Jay Auskin]

Dunno much about rotory engines, but wouldn't the soot found in diesel combustion wear the seals out?

[legion]

Dunno. They essentially have to inject oil into the combustion chamber in a gasoline rotary, correct?

Jim???

[john70t]

Here's another thought to keep oneself awake at night- the rotary combustion chamber has to be of variable compression(size) to compensate for varying conditions and fuel.

[john70t]

A roller apex seal would only add to the coplexity problem...or would it?