The 2014s also go to a new 8 speed transmission which is a substantial step up from the old 5 speed on the V6. You would have to compare the 2014s side by side.
It’s partly that, but it’s mostly due to Audi’s deep pockets. They were dominating Le Mans before diesels and even when their diesels weren’t the fastest on the track. They’re the masters of reliability.
Are there any non-turbo diesels out there? Turbos have been the default on diesels in Europe for a long time.
They are indeed now rare. My point was that for the purposes of this thread, when you compare the price of a Spark engine equipped car with that of a Diesel car, you are also most likely comparing a turbo-charged engine to a normally aspirated engine, and if both were spark engines, that alone would account for a lot of price difference.
I’ll also add that this makes Diesels a boon to those who live at high altitude. A normally aspirated engine takes about a 25% power loss in Denver, while most turbo diesels can still make rated output. When you get to the mountains, or hitch a heavy trailer on the back, that becomes stunningly obvious.
I have mentioned it on the dope before, but a couple years ago I had the pleasure of driving a rented Peugeot 205 turbo diesel while in France. I loved driving that thing, and if they were available in the US, I would buy one tomorrow.
Lots of good info here, thanks folks.