Personally, I am a dieselhead, so my interest in these trains really stems from the unusual diesel engine layout. I have been wondering if they would use the Deutz V8s, which are very different from the usual DMU engines (I've noticed that the V8 layout is rare in rail applications). However, I am concerned about their 945 mm width. Since these trains would require two side-by-side, and the power car is 2815 mm wide, I wonder if that would leave enough room for the gangway. In an attempt to gauge the room required, I measured a wheelchair last week. Turned out to be just under 620 mm wide. Might it be better to go back to straight six engines for space-saving reasons in the UK loading gauge. That said, I was surprised to see the Italian units quoted at 2.82 m wide, about the same width as the widest UK trains. I thought all foreign trains were very wide.
I also wonder about fuel consumption. You see, assuming two 16 L engines are used, that is an increase of 4 L of displacement compared to a 156 unit. The power, however, is more than doubled, from 570 hp total to over 1200. Use a four engined four car Stadler, and the difference is even greater. Might we see a repeat of fuel consumption complaints made when the 185's took over from 158s on Trans-Pennine services?
Also, why are all the power modules the same length? This would mean wasted space in the twin engined units.
