If popularity is benchmark of capability, the ‘dirty’ fuel is now measuring up to it. Diesel had been a looser for long, trying to catch up with gasoline in terms of efficiency and performance. It was much- maligned by rattling technology and noisy operations. Now after decades, diesel cars have taken over the Indian market leaving petrol- fired cars behind.

For the first half of 2010, the Indian auto market witnessed a spurt in the sales of diesel propelled cars. So much so in India’s premium segment- from Maruti Swift to BMW 7 series category- 59% of the 6.88 lakh units sold in the first half of 2010 were diesel powered. The percentage is even higher than Europe, where the market is evenly divided between both the fuels.

Auto companies in India attribute this change to technology advancements that have given diesel higher fuel efficiency and better pick up. Historically the sales of diesel-driven cars had plummeted due to high maintenance costs and premium pricing.

The gradual change has now become a major determining factor for the success and failure of new cars. The verdict is clearly in favour of diesel-driven cars, customers are pleasantly surprised by the clear advantage of instant acceleration and higher torques offered by modern diesel engines, even as petrol is trying to catch up on the technological changes.

For Indians with deep pockets, it is the luxury car segment running on diesel that is most popular. Consider this: Of the 446 cars of BMW 7 series, Audi B and mere 5 Class models, sold in the first six months of 2010, 79% had diesel engines. Indian customers prefer cheaper diesel models which provide better acceleration and return on investment. The times are not far away when diesel will be the strongest portfolio across all segments. The diesel strategy has paid Toyota rich dividends. In the premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) segment, its diesel Fortuner, launched last year, has ended the domination of competitive models like the erstwhile segment leaders, Honda’s CRY and Mitsubishi Outlander that are only available in petrol versions.

The preference for diesel is particularly noticeable in premium cars, priced above Rs.4 lakh and luxury sedans and SUVs in the Rs.1 Crore bracket. The affinity for diesel also follows the introduction of the much acclaimed common rail injection (CRDi) technology that was first launched in 2002 by Hyundai in its Ascent sedans. Sharp-injector based fuel technology allowed diesel to burn much faster with learner operations, leading to higher fuel efficiency and faster accelerations.

Over the years, several modifications in diesel technology have been taken up by auto companies. Even entry-level cars made by Indian companies like Mahindra’s Scorpio and Tata Motor’s Indica now come with modern diesel engines based on the CRDi technology, that was once the domain of high-priced cars.

Answer the following questions by choosing the right options.

• The author in this passage attempts to establish which of the following? 1

  • The diesel cars these days are not only attractive but also costly.
  • Modern day diesel cars are economic as well as attractive.
  • In future, diesel cars are likely to become a dominant force in the Indian market.
  • Indians are pleasantly surprised by the clear advantage of having a diesel car.

• Which of the following is the author most likely to disagree? 1

  • Though diesel cars are becoming attractive, they are not as efficient as petrol cars.
  • Indian customers prefer diesel models which provide better acceleration.
  • Now diesel cars are popular than petrol cars in India.
  • The companies that produce only petrol versions are losing their domination in the market.

• In the author’s view, the preference for diesel cars in the Indian auto market is due to which of the following? 1

  • Recession has made Indian customers wary of expensive petrol-driven car.
  • Technological advancements have helped diesel cars become more efficient and economical.
  • Diesel cars have rich dividends to offer to the customers.
  • Today, the number of diesel cars produced far exceeds the number of petrol cars produced.

• The phrase “Indians with deep pockets….” Suggest which of the following 1

  • Indians who are rich
  • Indian who are more inclined towards buying petrol cars
  • Indian who are more inclined towards buying diesel cars
  • Indians who prefer utility to luxury while purchasing a car

• Give synonyms for: 1

  • Spurt
  • Acclaimed

• Give antonyms for: 1

  • Acceleration
  • Domination

• In future, diesel cars are likely to become a dominant force in the Indian market.

• Though diesel cars are becoming attractive, they are not as efficient as petrol cars.

• Technological advancements have helped diesel cars become more efficient and economical.

• Indians who are rich.

• Give synonyms for:

  • Spurt - spirt

  • Acclaimed - Praised

• Give antonyms for:

  • Acceleration - deceleration

  • Domination - Democracy