Diesel exhausts

[whitenemesis]

Why do diesel exhausts tend to terminate under the car? If there is one thing I'm not keen on with my Merc its how the twin exhaust sort of hangs downwards under the bumper. Is there an alternative for the exhausts to exit pointing rearward like petrol engined cars?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

They point downwards so other road users don't get blasted with soot. I believe its a legal requirement.

More modern cars with particulate filters have straight pipes.

 

[dava]

Thats why, it would also direct soot up the back of your car, chack the bus in front of you.

 

[whitenemesis]

Does mine not have a particulate filter then? What year did they come in?