A comparison of two new models of the Ford Mondeo in the UK from carpages.com provides an interesting comparison of the diesel-gasoline tradeoff.

The UK-exclusive model, Mondeo ST TDCi has been created to build on the unprecedented popularity of TDCi in the UK, which accounted for 54 per cent of Mondeo sales in 2003. Ford’s overall diesel sales volume is 27 per cent higher than a year ago, with total 2003 sales of 86,016 and the top two positions in the diesel sales chart with Focus and Mondeo respectively.

I highlighted the “green” tradeoffs in the side-by side comparison between the new TDCi diesel and a new gasoline engine version of the Mondeo. The diesel reviewed gets 69% better mileage and emits 39% less CO₂ than the new gasoline engine. The gasoline engine achieves the more stringent EuroIV emissions standards, however.

It’s no wonder diesels are doing so well in Europe.