Quote:
Originally Posted by pete c
My point is that if the yardstick used is performance/mileage, the TDI will win against a gasser hybrid. Probably goes for a diesel hybrid as well since racing is about weight and i don't see a hybrid sytem having enough of a performance/efficiency gain to make much sense in a race environment.
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So IMO in a racing environment, a hybrid actually makes the most sense because you are braking so much. A hybrid system has a power to weight advantage if done correctly. In racing the typical power to weight ratio of the energy storage and drive system is probably around the same as the engine itself.
Audi has some very good diesels, but diesels suffer more at high rpm than gasoline engines, and the thermal efficiency of racing engines is quite high. Turbocompounded F1 machines I believe can be 40% efficient. It's not safe at all to assume a diesel has an automatic, significant advantage due to typically higher efficiency, especially in racing where lugging that extra engine weight around hurts a lot.