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What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587

    Audi of America will begin offering 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engines in the A8, A7 and A6 cars and the Q5 crossover beginning next year.

    Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20121119/OEM04/121119884#ixzz2ChwuH3JL
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    It takes a big family to justify a Sprinter over a garden variety Mini Van. If you need to tow something it moves back to the front of the list. The Sprinter is rated at 5000 lbs towing. Some people were getting about 22 MPG overall. That was where I was when I sold mine. I only owned it for 5028 miles. Never got under 20.5 MPG never over 25.5 MPG.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    In terms of the US markets, this is a total PR piece: marketing, softball, teaser only, movie trailer. It is wonderful "coming to the US ?" fantasy.

    In terms of " Garrett turbo's", VW has been using the brand for years. is under the "Honeywell" Corporation umbrella.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    Sorry this is blurry as camera phone was hard to use while driving and DSLR was a handful - but mid size diesel + lots of gears = wafty loafer:

    image
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If you're the photographer, who was driving? :P
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    Funny, I can do both for short periods.

    When I first drove on the Autobahn (diesel of course), I even shot video. Maybe iffy, but the road was pretty empty and I only got up to about 100mph - which was a long term cruising speed in that A8.
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    So let me get this right, 200 kmh = 124 mph = 2,500 rpms. That's roughly 1,200 rpms at 60 mph. Essentially idling. I'm wondering if that transmission would ever shift into top gear on US roads (i.e. under 75 mph)?
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    Yes, I think the essential difference is the optimization for the markets.

    So for example, the (2011/2012/2013 VW T TDI's seemed to be optimized (US markets) for 81 mph @ 2,100 rpm) for app 32 to 34 mpg. The nexus for that rpm is that is a more optimium speed for the turbo and proper operation over all, albeit 16 mph over most speed limits. This is a guess for I have never done a tank @ that speed and rpm. The computer bounces around from 25 mpg to 45 mpg. Since you have an BMW X5 35 D there might be a parallel. I would like to hear your response, since I do not know and you have a 6 speed instead of a 8 speed. If this is too arcane for the board at large, I am ok with that also.
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    edited November 2012
    BMW has the little mpg meter in the bottom of the instrument cluster. If it's accurate, it seems that about 72-75+/- is the optimum cruising speed for maximum mpg. It starts to drop a little after about 75, but you don't seem to gain much trying to cruise at a steady 55 or 60 vs. 70 to 75. In fact, if I'm cruising at 75 and hit a slight uphill run, it seems to hold the gear and mpg doesn't suffer much. If I'm at 55, it tends to downshift and the mpg goes down more. This is NOT scientific, however, and my observations (or the meter) may be off.

    As for six speeds vs. eight, I really wonder about how much 2 more gears adds to fuel efficiency in a high torque diesel with a fairly wide torque band. Going through 7 gear changes to get to a 75 mph cruising speed seems a little excessive. It may help in city driving where you have more gears to choose from based upon speed and conditions.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    The two VW computers (I have) are very accurate also. However, I have always based the reported (on this board anyway) on actual gals taken on first click off and hand calculated. Then, I compare it with the computer (average) readings. The instantaneous (option) mpg is good if one is trying to maximize mpg with ones' situational conditions. In effect, to maximize mpg to always or consistently take the best mpg throttle position. Obviously the more of these one strings together, the better the mpg. (given any set of conditions) and with or without no fuel draw on use of gears on sequential shifting.

    Actually the two extra gears (CAN to ) makes a lot of difference, both in theory and practice (real world) Without the ability to A (8 sp)/B (6 sp) test, it is a bit hard to give you hard mpg numbers. I have posted mpg ranges with the 8 speed.

    Since the computers in either case (BMW/VW) does the shifting (U/D) in either case (6 or 8 speed) it doesn't matter too much, unless one likes to use the sequential shifter. In an earlier post msg# 7176, I did describe a brutal R/T to SFO and the mpg actually got better using the sequential shifter. The other benefit was it kept me off the brakes in HEAVY stop and go traffic. A benefit I can not quantify, because my brake lights did not come on with any consistency, followers at my six gave me WAY more car lengths, which again, in theory is "SAFER".
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    Actually the two extra gears (CAN to ) makes a lot of difference, both in theory and practice (real world) Without the ability to A (8 sp)/B (6 sp) test, it is a bit hard to give you hard mpg numbers. I have posted mpg ranges with the 8 speed.

    I'm not sure which forum the theory that more gears is always better was debated, and I don't want to play mechanical engineer myself, but after discussing this matter with friends who are mechanical and nuclear engineers, the "more is always better" theory was debunked, at least to my satisfaction. That's not to say that in a particular application (or even the majority of applications) an 8 speed might not produce better mpg than a 6 speed. But that is definitely not an absolute certainty and depends upon a number of factors.

    Essentially, the trade off is how many gears are required to keep the engine rpms in the optimal range for fuel efficiency vs. how much energy is lost in shifting between gears. In most gasoline engines, the most efficient rpm range is relatively narrow. In diesel engines, because the torque band is wider, the efficiency band is a bit wider.

    As you indicate, it is virtually impossible to compare apples to apples between a 6 and 8 speed. Even year over year comparisons when transmissions are changed is not fair, because transmission technology has vastly improved to reduce energy loss in the shifting process and drive train losses due to inefficient torque converters. Back in my old days, it was not uncommon for a 4 speed manual transmission to get 15%+ better gas mileage than a 4 speed automatic. Now the automatics often get better than their manual counterparts (Porsche 7 speed PDK vs. 7 speed manual).

    One of the guys in this little golf course discussion group had an old 5-speed manual Toyota pick up truck that he put 240k miles on before finally buying a BMW 535i 6-speed manual in July. He commented that it's nice to have a good first gear now. Apparently, the Toyota's first gear was really only a "get rolling" gear ratio that practically redlined at 8 mph. He hardly ever used it in urban driving, preferring to start out in 2nd. And he claimed that that produced noticably better city mpg compared to shifting in and out of 1st gear at every stop sign or traffic light. For him, the Toyota would have been better off with a 4 speed manual, having a 1st gear ratio halfway between it's 5 speed 1st and 2nd.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Apparently, the Toyota's first gear was really only a "get rolling" gear ratio that practically redlined at 8 mph. He hardly ever used it in urban driving, preferring to start out in 2nd.

    I had a 1970s Ford 3/4 ton with a 4 speed manual. Same thing with it. Unless I was pulling our 12,000 lb cattle trailer. That truck with a 460 gas engine would never top 10 MPG empty. 5 MPG pulling a trailer. I don't miss it in the least. I wish they had a diesel engine back then.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    The indicators for both the BMW X5 35 D and VW T TDI are their respective EPAs @ 19 C/26 H, 19 C /28 H. given (same size) 3.0 L engines (7.7%): and some real world data points. On small #'s of vehicles @ fueleconomy.gov 22.1/27.4 mpgs (24%) plus yours ?(??) / mine (29.5 to 36.5 mpg , 30 mpg over all) feed back.

    I also understand BMW has gone to the "ZF" 8 speed A/T for 2012/2013 sans the 35 D ? I am sure BMW had its' reasons to use ZF 8 speeds.

    Here are VW's

    ..."Due to the two additional gear levels, a 20 percent larger gearing spread can be attained between 1st and 8th gears. This accomplishes two objectives: First, thanks to this larger spread, the engines operate with even greater efficiency over all speed ranges, making them both more fuel efficient and responsive. Second, it was possible to lay out the 7th and 8th gears as speed-reducing gears (20 percent reduction) - fuel-saving overdrive gears."...

    On the manual transmission side, even the 2001 Corvette Z06 uses 10% lower gears (probably 1 thru 4 gears) , even as it uses the 5/6 gears as "fuel savings/over drive gears. My sense is that 1 to 2 more gears would offer serious customer resistance and a number of other serious issues and bang for the buck inefficiencies, but that is purely a swag.
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    edited November 2012
    We only have 1,800 miles on our X5d and the only long highway drive was the 515 mile trip back from Spartanburg in which I averaged 30 mpg on the nose, but varied the speed between 50 and 80 per break in instructions. I've seen 32+ if we fill up and get straight on the highway, before we add city mileage to bring it down.

    Don't think the X5d and VW TDI are good apples to apples on transmission efficiency. I only drove the TDI once several months ago, and it seemed quicker than the Q7 TDI, but the Q7 is definitely not in the X5d's league of quickness or engine responsiveness. The X5d is a tad quicker than the Touareg V8 Gen2 according to both Motorweek and my butt dyno. Not that I bought the X5d to drag race, but the higher hp (+25) and torque (+19) was apparent and may adversely impact maximum mpg compared to the Touareg. According to the guys in Spartanburg, the 8 speed BMW transmission in the other X5's was not a good match for the diesel low end torque, but it is likely that BMW will develop another/stronger 8 speed for future diesel applications. I believe the M diesels in Germany use an 8 speed (but they are designed to cruise at 130+ mph).

    http://www.motorweek.org/reviews/road_tests/2008_volkswagen_touareg_2

    http://www.motorweek.org/reviews/road_tests/2009_bmw_335d_2009_bmw_x5_xdrive35d

    Again, issue isn't that in some/many applications that 8 is better than 6 gears in the transmission. It's just that this isn't a single variable equation that doesn't include other factors. I am pretty sure 20 gears is not 2.5 times better than 8 and in the case of a Tesla Model S, 1 forward gear works just fine. 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and the energy equivalent of about 100+ mpg. That's what a huge flat torque band will do. They decided against the previous 2 speed motor in the early Roadsters.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    Pushing 15,000 miles for the TDI. 31 to 36+ mpg for the early mileage break in drill. (app 2,000 miles)

    SIDEBAR:

    (or for the way I have come to break in 3 TDI's, aka, slightly to moderately aggressively rpm NTE75- 80% @ less than 4,000 rpm on a 5,100 redline . Engine break in really continues to 30,000 miles to 50,000 miles. )

    Truly I did not say that 20% gearing efficiencies translate directly to 20% BETTER mpg. However it does expand the range. Indeed it is a comparison range of 7.7 % (EPA H ratings) to 24%.(real world) (VARIANCE)

    I am not sure why you ignore why even BMW has actually gone to an 8 speed (sans the diesel). So for example, IF you are saying an 8 speed vs a 6 speed have/yield NO differences, you would be wrong. That would be nonsensical and probably more costly for even BMW to switch ! ? If you are trying to say I am saying there is NO variance, you would be incorrect. Does higher or lower torque play a part? Absolutely. What does vary is how (YOU) use it in the conditions you drive. So really IF what you are saying is 425 # ft vs 406 # feet is the major variable eating up 2 mpg EPA H vs 19 each City ?... it doesn't track.

    You are not saying the Tesla is a diesel? So if you are saying your BMW X5 35D had the Tesla transmission, you'd get all that power and 100 + mpg? I say lets leave the Tesla out of the discussion.
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    With all due respect, you seem to be more intent upon trying to read your own interpretation of INTO what I am saying than simply reading WHAT I said. I'm not going to beat this horse to pulp by repeatedly refuting what you incorrectly think I said, so if you didn't get it, you didn't get it.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I know how you feel. ;)
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    Well no. I understand EXACTLY what you have said. I am only the messenger feeding back (consequence if you will) what you have said. Now I think even you do not like the APPLICATION of what you have said, again, with all due respect.

    Now I am sure it is clear in your own mind what you said what you think you said, what you mean, what you assume I or anyone else should know, how anyone "TAKES" it. So in that sense I am asking is that what you really are saying? If not say it in an attempt to clarify. So if you want to leave it at YOU think the sky is Red and I think it blue, I am ok with that also.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,780
    From a third party, in an attempt to break things down to the heart of the argument presented by habitat1 as per post #7219, final paragraph. I took the liberty of adding emphasis to the last sentence:

    Again, issue isn't that in some/many applications that 8 is better than 6 gears in the transmission. It's just that this isn't a single variable equation that doesn't include other factors.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    I did not say nor insist there was one single variable equation that doesn't include other factors. However I and VW (quote) did say the (2 extra) gears do extend the range, etc. etc. But then you know that.

    Defacto even BMW (sans the X5 35 D) uses the 8 speed A/T (ZF vs Aisin). If that is a point ( nuance) too difficult to deal with, I say let's move on. Since most folks do not have 8 speeds A/T's, who cares?

    But the combination is another reason why I do like diesels. I like diesels with DSG's. I am even ok with a diesel with a manual 5 speed. (I do wish it did come with a 6 speed)
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    To one and all !

    Slow news diesel day: other than I recorded (from cable tv, and I am led to believe it is available off of Netflix) a 2009 episode of "How Its Made" (Audi) diesel engines (3.0 L) . Three other topics round out the episode: ski goggles, construction cranes, and porcelain figurines.

    If one can see the piece on the (Audi Q7) engine component assembly, the graphics of the assembly process takes the mystery out of a sometimes vilified TDI.

    As I have said in other posts, the (VW/Porsche/Audi) 3.0 L TDI engine depicted is a POWERFUL, reliable, durable, "bullet proof", efficient in many ways mainstay.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I agree the V6 TDI used by all VW companies is an engineering marvel. I was skeptical of MB when they went from their inline 5 & 6 cylinder diesels to the V6 configuration. They seem to be more powerful quieter and get better mileage. It is hard to fault BMW on their inline 6 diesel, as it is a powerhouse. I would say the X5D is the rocket of the batch we get here in the USA. Since VW wisely got rid of the V10 TDI.

    I would like to see one of the publications do a comparison of the SUV diesels offered in the USA. Here is a comparison by an owner of both the X5D and Touareg TDI.

    http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f63/2013-touareg-tdi-vs-bmw-x5-diesel-80050.ht- ml
  • spiritintheskyspiritinthesky Member Posts: 207
    edited November 2012
    That's an interesting X5d vs. TDI review, albeit I think a little tainted by the fact that the reviewer formally owned a 2009 X5d and now owns a 2013 TDI.

    We currently have 4 diesel vehicles in our extended family: 2013 Cayenne (me), 2010 X5d (son), 2012 350 ML Bluetec (daughter) and 2012 Touareg TDI (sister / brother in law). I think that qualifies us as the most diesel family I know. The fact that all of these are different makes and models points primarily to the fact that everyone had different priorities. IMO, there are two "driver's" vehicles in that mix, the Cayenne and the X5d. And two comfort/luxury vehicles, the ML and the VW TDI. Comparing the VW TDI and the X5d is a little apples and oranges. Perhaps not for the majority of SUV purchasers, but certainly for someone who is inclined to look at the difference between 6 and 8 speed automatics as a serious engineering factor.

    Interestingly, my Cayenne has an 8 speed that, although more fuel efficient, is not quite as responsive or quick as my sons X5d. The 8-speed Porsche tiptronic is designed to have a first gear that can get a 7,700 lb tow rolling, and a 7th and 8th gear that are for highly efficient highway cruising on level ground. My son's X5d, which I have driven extensively, simply has 6 gear ratios spaced out to get you to a highway cruising speed without a really tall overdrive. We live in the Pittsburgh area. Although it's too early to tell definitively, it appears that I get a bit better mileage than him, (2+/- mpg on highway). But with our somewhat hilly roads (PA Turnpike), I'd probably put the lighter weight (500+/- lbs?) as worth at least as much as the extra two gears.

    I also happen to own a 2012 911S 7-speed manual. I can count on one hand the number of it's 4,500 miles that have been driven in 7th gear. Nice idea in theory, less so in practice. At least not in Pittsburgh area. Maybe on the Autobahn where 120+ mph cruising is possible, but not in the USA. It was a concession to the EPA.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    You raise the issue of "tainted" (POV) vs non tainted, yet don't develop the theme. Are you less /more/ other/not "tainted" because of 4 TDI's of which you only own/drive one? vs the reviewers - 2 , who has driven/owned both??? etc., etc.. :confuse: ;)

    Be that as it may, the oems in fact do and/or both try to differentiate their products, and at many different levels. To imply or state they do not, would simply be ignoring the truth. Perhaps the (your) caution comes from the fact there are very few diesels to compare with/against. So in that sense, it will always have apples to oranges to grapes flavor. Your post and the other realities confirms that.

    Indeed while you only cite the Cayenne, the oem/s (VW family) tries to differential the products (also) even as the Cayenne, VW Touareg, Audi Q7 have the same base 3.0 V6 TDI and Aisin 8 speed A/T. An investigation of the engines and drive trains might reveal even FURTHER differentiated.They are truly not tied to the same computer tuning mapping, for example.

    I would probably say the EPA's of both the 2013 Cayenne and your son's 2010 BMW X5 35D tell the real tale +/_ 2 mpg at least: EPA H of 28/26 mpg respectively. Perhaps at the same set of conditions and same mileages you would report the differences in mpg, as it is probably way too soon for your NEW Cayenne to be "reasonably" broken in.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    You definitely have a good group of SUVs to expound on. How does your daughter like the ML Bluetec? That is still at the top of my list to replace the Sequoia. How do the 4 compare for comfort, the number one priority at my age. It would mainly be used for long trips cross country. I rarely go out for test drives. It is difficult in a 15 minute test to tell about things such as comfort.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    To add to that, I would be interested in the reactions to the (MB ML350 Bluetec ) 7 speed A/T, specifically the HYBRID CVT. 455# ft of torque is.. what is there NOT to love?
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    WSJ Nov 24/25 2012 OFF DUTY "Mercedes GL350: A Quiet-Tuned Land Megayacht." pg. D12, Blue-Tec write up.

    They described the 7 speed A/T thusly:

    ..."and when the GL 350 reaches highway speeds, the transmission slips into a near catatonic double overdrive. At 80 mph, the engine is turning about 1,800 rpm (red line is 4,500 rpm)."...

    Some other snippets: bp: $63,305, at: $99.840.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Mercedes offers that diesel package in the GL, ML and R series SUVs. I prefer the smaller ML as it has more leg room in the second row. No 3rd row to jam in behind. An ultra comfy 5 passenger for long highway cruises.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    For me, if I had decided on the MB (as a brand) the CUV would be the ML 350 or the GLK 250 BlueTecs. Those 455/369 # ft of torque products and 26 mpg to 40 mpg are pretty stellar.

    A relative (6 ft 2) sat in the rear of the VW Touareg and was literally glowing about how comfortable it was in the rear seating areas (500 miles+ R/T). One daughter even did a trip with us and I couldn't even get her to drive, so I could try out the rear cabin (1000+ miles R/T). Come to think of it, I couldn't get him to drive either. ;) I guess this is a subtle of being told it is nice back there.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I have yet to try out the back seat of the newer Touaregs. That is important as we do take friends out to the desert for day trips. The Sequoia is a little on the high side for some older folks to climb into. Both the ML and Touareg are not quite the stretch. It is 23 inches from the ground to the door sill on the Sequoia.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    I am still of the perspective of missing the 10.5 in ground clearance of the TLC's. However with app 15,000 miles in the Touareg TDI, I am just fine with the lower GC and lower CG.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    For me the ML was just about right. I could sit on the seat and swing my legs around. I have to throw my right leg into the Sequoia and pull my sell up into the seat. Which is still easier on my back than crawling up out of the Lexus LS400. I don't see anything but SUVs and PUs in my future. And they will be diesel.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    A few of pretty boring repetitive mpg data points over 241,000 miles. EPA's of

    1. 42 C / 49 H, 50 mpg average (179,000 miles)

    2. 29 C / 40 H, 41 mpg average (47,000 miles)

    3. 19 C / 28 H, 30 mpg average (15,000 miles)

    A few (6) pretty boring impressions.

    1. So far, the (3) VW's I have, meet at least one EPA number they have published.

    2. In realities, the cars mpg averages have exceeded them by 2% to 7.1%, in the conditions they have been with 4 drivers.

    3. The RANGES have been far better.

    4. The averages could have been WAY higher, but it has been far more fun driving these cars slightly to moderately AGGRESSIVELY.

    5. All in all for me, the diesels are way better adapted for the US roads I/we find myself/ourselves traveling.

    6. Like model gassers post far less mpgs and percentages than diesels. 6b if I drove the gassers like I do the diesels the mpgs and percentages would be far less still.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    I am not sure what this means for VW DIESELS on the US markets.

    ..."VW AG's announcement on Friday that it would invest 50 billion (euros, my sic) ($65 billion us, my sic) in its global operations over the next three years marks the latest push from Germany's robust auto industry to limit its exposure to crisis-stricken Europe and widen its lead over the rest of the region's auto makers."...

    German Car Makers Hit Road , pg. B3 WSJ Mon. Nov. 26, 2012 by Vanessa Fuhrmans, Christoph Rauwald, contributing.

    Shorter term for VW (other oems are discussed), $1.3 B (us) for 2013-2015 to build Audi's first N/A plant in Mexico. $12.7 B (us) for 2013-2015 CHINESE jv's and for VW China's 5th factory in country.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Like model gassers post far less mpgs and percentages than diesels

    There are gassers that also beat EPA estimates. I've shared at least 2 that I can recall in this thread.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    Well, they do. But that is not the ("LIKE MODEL" diesel) issue.

    My (04 Honda) gassers posts 38-42 mpg with an EPA of 29 C/38 H. I have followed Honda Civic threads and know what I/We get is higher than most.

    But even in this case, there is not a US market "LIKE MODEL" turbo diesel Honda Civic 04 to compare it with/against.

    I also follow VW Touareg gasser vs tdi. Most gasser VW T owners report 22 mpg. One (PUG) supercharged/hybrid VWT owner ( reports 24 mpg, not many and not on ). www.fueleconomy reports TDI @ 27.4 mpg. I have been getting 30 mpg. So percentage wise diesel posts 24.5% to 36.3% BETTER "LIKE MODEL" than gassers.

    Now this is purely a SWAG on my part.

    VW might have executed a Go game strategy with its upcoming VW Jetta turbo gasser/hybrid. Interestingly enough, it (the platform) competes against both the Corolla and Prius, gets slightly less mpg ( EPA H of 48 vs 45 or -6.25% less) than the Prius. Perhaps a more recognizable analogy is "killing "two birds with one stone". Yet the Jetta platform is a WAY better driving machine than either Corolla and/or Prius. It is also cheaper than a Prius and probably @ par with a tricked out Corolla.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited November 2012
    We've had this discussion before, but I think you'll find that "like model" for a diesel often refers to a not-so-great gasser engine, so it really sets the bar too low to be meaningful.

    Compared to things that suck, this other thing is good. Whoop-de-doo.

    I look forward to seeing SkyActiv-D models come out, then hopefully we can compare modern/efficient gassers to their like model diesels.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    While that comparison is not meaningful, yes one can wish and hope and fantasize. There is no harm in that. 100,000 miles (12k to 15k per year or 8.3 years to 6.67 years) AFTER Mazda brings ITS diesel to the US markets, we can have a REAL comparison discussion. The reality is that it is following the Honda TDI plan model circa 2004. 2013 (9 years) and still no diesel !! ?? ;) At that time my 2003 should still be posting 50 mpg?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited November 2012
    I just don't think any of the like model gassers you compare were ever designed with efficiency as a priority. It's just been a low priority until recently, and even then, only a priority to government agencies and those who have to abide by regulations.

    Just checked out the 3 SkyActiv on the EPA site:

    5 door auto: epa 32, actual 35
    5 door man: epa 31, actual 38.3 (!)
    4 door auto: epa 33, actual 35.5
    4 door man: epa 31, actual 35.9

    Very curious to see where the SkyActiv-D lands. There's less room for improvement, so they have their work cut out for them.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2012
    On a 11 year look back, I sort of did feel like "a lone ranger" when it came to high mpg, let alone real mpg (48 to 52 mpg) in 2002/2003. (9,000 units a year 2003 TDI). I have long been over it. :shades: 50 mpg when a ubiquitous economy car like Camry getting 21-28 mpg spoke to me. I might have dodged a bullet in bypassing the 2004 Pious, in that the EPA was 60 C /50 H. Most owners said 42-45 max. Nothing of course in the least bit wrong with that mpg ! So I would have been lied to (-25% to -16%). I am not aware of any of those owners getting any real monies for their troubles.

    But clearly, moving FORWARD (the BO Potus admins (buzz light year) motto the 4 door family sedan Passat EPA H 32/Passat TDI EPA H of 43, Camry EPA H 35/Camry/Hybrid H 39 etc. are the new "ubiquitous". If the 2012 Passat TDI can do 84+ mpg, it makes one wonder what the Camry/Hybrid can do under same test methodologies. So far no answer.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Back then gas was (almost) free.

    EPA revised and lowered the numbers, so the 2003 Prius numbers would be a lot lower today.

    As for the Passat TDI vs. TCH, head to head CR got better fuel economy in the quicker TCH. They didn't go out on a diesel-favoring highway drive, but it would be nice to see that couple try it.

    Don't take a Camry, though, take a new Avalon hybrid. Why? Because it has a bigger fuel tank, so it could actually try to beat the Passat's record, which was for total distance on one tank, not observed MPG. :shades:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited November 2012
    PS If I mention it, let me verify...

    Yeah, 2003 Prius would be rated 42/41 under today's methodology, 41 mpg EPA combined.

    Observed is 45.4 mpg (above the 42-45 max you claimed) so the truth is some where in the middle.
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    how about soon comparing the cruze diesel with your favorite gas-powered cruze model? early ruminations about the selected diesel engine do not seem favorable. until it's actually in a showroom i can't believe it will actually be offered...
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    until it's actually in a showroom i can't believe it will actually be offered..

    It was supposed to be here by now according to early reports. Maybe they are having trouble getting it past the tough EPA/CARB RULES. Honda could not make their fine diesel engine pass muster. GM should be able to fudge being owned by the Federal Government.

    GM tight-lipped regarding diesel, next-gen Chevy Cruze

    http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2012/08/gm_tight-lipped_regarding_dies.html
  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    So, we poor Europeans gets the Cruze in gasser and diesel formats............Saloon, Hatch and Estate but the home country may not get the diesel ?

    Something seriously wrong with the world.

    Cruze The Estate
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    Something seriously wrong with the world.

    Yes, that's what I thought when I saw X3 2.0d's and 2.5d's coming off the assembly line in Spartanburg, South Carolina only to be shipped to everywhere else in the world except the US. And it really got my blood boiling to hear that X5's with the M-diesel engines were only 500 feet away from where I was standing, but couldn't be acquired at any price here. :mad:

    Although I am pleased that I can pick up a new Porsche Boxster S or 911 shipped from Germany for quite a bit less (I think) than you have to pay over in Europe. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited November 2012
    It's just crazy.

    Cruze wagon is pretty handsome, and I bet they'd be discounted enough to be a lot cheaper than a TDI Jetta SW.

    How much better is the MPG in Europe? Usually it's between 20 and 40%, but I wonder if the Cruze Eco slims down that gain?
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Not only only does mpg suffer add to that power and torque. I know for a fact the 2003 TDI got 2 mpg better (4%) than its US version (50mpg). Power and torque were BETTER @ 100/110 hp/177# ft to 90 hp/155.
  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    Absolutely correct on the Porsche pricing front.............and similar for other marques. If I could afford new Porkers I doubt I'd be seriously concerned, but I can't so I'm utterly unconcerned. However, I think your VW pricing is very competitive vs Europe. Likewise pricing for the Honda CR-V, which is a real bummer as I believe yours are built in the same factory, (Swindon, UK), as ours. Had that discussion with a friend in TX and he was staggered to find out it was a UK-built car.

    On the plus side, of course, we do have a very fine selection of small/medium cars/engines that never see tarmac over your way. Swings and roundabouts, I guess. Doubt you'll ever see Skodas for sale as they are concentrating really hard on China, (surprise). Here in Europe they have the best reputation of any of the VW Group marques.........and they use all shared components dressed in different party frocks. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Is that due to CARB emissions or something? Must be de-tuned.
This discussion has been closed.

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