Diesel engine
TechnologieAverage price
1500€ - 3000€
The diesel engine, named after its inventor Rudolf Diesel, is a type of internal combustion engine whose operating principle is based on the auto-ignition of fuel. Unlike the gasoline engine, which requires a spark plug, the diesel engine compresses only air at a very high pressure (between 30 and 55 bar), which increases its temperature up to 700-900°C. Diesel fuel is then injected and finely atomized into the combustion chamber, where it spontaneously ignites upon contact with the superheated air. This rapid combustion creates a strong thrust on the piston, thereby generating motive power. Renowned for its high low-end torque and low fuel consumption, the diesel engine has long been the preferred choice for high-mileage drivers and commercial vehicles. Modern technologies, such as common rail direct injection, the turbocharger, and exhaust gas aftertreatment systems (Particulate Filter, SCR with AdBlue), have significantly improved its performance and efficiency while reducing pollutant emissions, making it more complex but also cleaner than ever.
Benefits
- ✓High engine torque available from low revs, ideal for towing and heavy vehicles.
- ✓Lower fuel consumption than an equivalent power gasoline engine, especially on long trips.
- ✓Recognized durability and robustness due to its reinforced design to withstand high pressures.
- ✓Excellent driving range thanks to its energy efficiency, perfect for long-distance drivers.
Learn more
What is a diesel engine?
The diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that converts the chemical energy of diesel fuel into mechanical energy. Invented by Rudolf Diesel in the late 19th century, its fundamental operating principle differs radically from that of the gasoline engine. Instead of using a spark plug to ignite an air-fuel mixture, the diesel engine uses auto-ignition. This unique characteristic gives it torque and efficiency properties that have made it essential for many applications, from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks and marine vessels.
How a diesel engine works: the four-stroke cycle
The operation of a modern diesel engine generally takes place in four key stages:
This cycle repeats thousands of times per minute, generating significant and constant torque, particularly appreciated for its low-end pulling power.
Key technologies of modern diesel engines
Far from the image of the noisy, smoking engine of the past, the modern diesel is packed with technologies designed to optimize its performance and minimize its environmental impact.
Advantages and relevance of the diesel engine today
Despite an increasingly strict regulatory environment, the diesel engine retains undeniable advantages for certain uses. Its main asset remains its fuel efficiency, offering fuel consumption up to 25% lower than an equivalent gasoline engine, making it very economical for drivers covering more than 20,000 km per year, primarily on highways.
Its generous low-end torque provides incomparable driving comfort for heavy vehicles (SUVs, minivans) and for towing. Furthermore, its robust design ensures excellent longevity. New developments, such as mild hybridization (48V mild-hybrid), further improve its energy efficiency and reduce its emissions in urban areas. The modern diesel engine therefore remains a cutting-edge technological solution, particularly suited for long journeys and professional use.
Finitions équipées
33 finition(s) proposent cet équipement
Mini Mini Convertible
Cooper D (R57 / 1st generation period 2010-2015) (2010-2015)
Mini Mini Convertible
Cooper D / Cooper SD (F57 / 2nd generation) (2016-2020)
Mini Mini Convertible
Cooper SD (R57 / 1st generation period 2010-2015) (2011-2015)
Mini Mini Countryman
Cooper SD (1st generation R60) (2011-2016)
Mini Mini Coupe
Cooper D (1st generation R58) (2011-2015)
Mini Mini Coupe
Cooper SD (1st generation R58) (2011-2015)
Mini Mini Paceman
Cooper D (1st generation R61) (2013-2016)
Mini Mini Paceman
Cooper SD (1st generation R61) (2013-2016)
Porsche Porsche Cayenne
Cayenne Diesel (2nd generation) (2010-2017)
Porsche Porsche Macan
Macan Diesel (1st generation) (2014-2018)
Volkswagen Volkswagen Golf
GTD (Golf VI) (2010-2012)
Volkswagen Volkswagen Golf
GTD (Golf VIII) (2021-2024)
Volkswagen Volkswagen Sharan
BlueMotion (2nd generation) (2010-2015)
Associated equipment
High-Efficiency Air Filter
The high-efficiency cabin air filter, often referred to as a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter or activated carbon filter, is an essential component of modern ventilation and air conditioning systems. Going far beyond a simple pollen filter, its multi-layer design purifies the air entering the cabin with remarkable efficiency. It is specifically engineered to capture a wide spectrum of atmospheric pollutants. The first layer blocks large particles such as dust, insects, and pollen. A second layer, made of electrostatically charged synthetic fibers, traps much finer and health-hazardous particles, such as PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers) originating from exhaust gases, brake wear, and tire wear. Most high-performance filters incorporate a third layer of activated carbon. Thanks to its microporous structure, it adsorbs harmful gases (nitrogen oxides - NOx, ozone - O3) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), while effectively neutralizing unpleasant odors. This equipment transforms the cabin into a sanctuary of clean air, which is crucial for allergy sufferers, asthmatics, children, and anyone spending time in heavy traffic.
Gasoline engine
The gasoline engine, also known as a spark-ignition engine, is a type of internal combustion engine that has been the heart of the majority of light vehicles for over a century. Its operating principle is based on the four-stroke cycle: intake, compression, combustion-expansion, and exhaust. During this cycle, a mixture of air and fuel (gasoline) is drawn into a cylinder, compressed by a piston, and then ignited by an electric spark generated by a spark plug. The resulting explosion pushes the piston back down, creating the mechanical energy required to propel the vehicle. Modern gasoline engines have evolved considerably, incorporating advanced technologies such as direct injection, turbocharging (downsizing), or mild hybridization. These innovations aim to improve efficiency, increase power, and reduce fuel consumption as well as pollutant emissions. Appreciated for its flexibility, responsiveness, and rapid revving, the gasoline engine offers high driving pleasure, particularly suited for dynamic driving and urban trips.
Turbocharger
The turbocharger, commonly known as a 'turbo', is a forced induction system designed to increase the power and efficiency of an internal combustion engine. Its operating principle is based on utilizing the energy wasted in the exhaust gases. It consists of two main components mounted on a common shaft: a turbine and a compressor. The turbine, driven by the speed and pressure of the exhaust gases, spins the compressor. The compressor draws in ambient air, compresses it, and then sends it under pressure into the engine cylinders. By increasing the amount of intake air, the engine can burn a larger amount of fuel, thereby generating more power and torque for an equivalent displacement. This technology is at the heart of the 'downsizing' concept, which involves using smaller, turbocharged engines to achieve the performance of larger engines while reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Today, the turbocharger is ubiquitous in diesel engines and increasingly common in modern gasoline engines.
48V Mild-Hybrid
48V Mild-Hybrid technology, also known as mild hybridisation or MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle), is an ingenious solution designed to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in internal combustion engines (petrol or diesel). Unlike a conventional full hybrid vehicle, a mild-hybrid model cannot drive in 100% electric mode. Its principle relies on assisting the internal combustion engine with a small electric motor, generally a 48-volt starter-alternator. The latter is powered by a small lithium-ion battery that recharges automatically during deceleration and braking phases, thanks to the regenerative braking system. The electric motor steps in at key moments: it provides extra torque during start-ups and acceleration to relieve the combustion engine, thereby reducing its workload and fuel consumption. It also enables the Stop & Start system to operate more smoothly, quickly, and over a wider operating range, switching off the engine even before the vehicle comes to a complete stop to maximise savings. This technology represents an excellent compromise between performance, energy efficiency, and manufacturing cost, making it accessible across a wide range of vehicles.
Direct injection
Direct injection is an engine technology where fuel is injected at very high pressure directly into the combustion chamber of each cylinder, rather than into the intake manifold as with indirect injection. This method allows for extremely precise control of the air-fuel mixture, both in terms of metering and injection timing. By spraying fuel directly into the cylinder, more efficient vaporization is achieved along with a cooling effect that increases the density of the intake air. This phenomenon allows for a higher compression ratio to be used without the risk of engine knock, resulting in more complete and efficient combustion. Initially popularized on diesel engines (with Common Rail technology), direct injection has become widely adopted in modern gasoline engines (GDI, FSI, THP, etc.) as part of downsizing strategies. It has become a technological pillar for manufacturers seeking to balance increasingly strict requirements regarding performance, fuel consumption, and pollutant emission reduction.