AMID all the furore about the way the VW diesel engine Engine Control Unit (ECU) was able to ‘detune’ their diesel engines in order to produce exhaust emissions low enough to pass the MOT test, there hasn’t been any mention of what VW will be able to do in the future to their diesel engines to enable them to pass the MOT whilst still providing good acceleration and high power.

Naturally-aspirated diesel engines are well known for the huge amounts of torque they can produce, but not appreciated for their poor acceleration.

I know this only too well as, once, I had a Vauxhall Merit 1.6 un-turbocharged diesel.

This car was actually quite dangerous during overtaking being so bad on acceleration.

Now no diesel-engined cars will have naturally-aspirated engines. All will have turbochargers. Some even boast two.

In 'full power’ mode this will give the vehicle outstanding acceleration and performance, but will not be so good for the environment.

So just what can VW, or any other car manufacturer having high performance diesels do regarding those twin accolades without polluting the atmosphere?

As any schoolboy will know, you can’t have high performance from a diesel engine without injecting a lot of fuel.

A lot of fuel in, a lot of emissions out.

Philip Roe, Roman Avenue South, Stamford Bridge