Diesel automatics were generally produced in larger cars which sell the least. Owners and buyers of large cars usually don't care about economy, more performance so it is only recently that such combinations have been produced that satisfy owners performance requirements. Added to that, the torque of a diesel engine can be too much for the standard slushbox - notice lack of Japanese diesel automatics, despite them making good auto boxes.
I have owned three or four diesel autos and without exception they were a dog to drive when stone cold and they have odd characteristics especially in urban traffic. I am just about coping with the D5 in the XC90, but I am still not enjoying it. My in house accountant reckons I should have bought a black cab instead!
|
Why so few diesel automatics? 
Why so few diesel automatics? 