That's your prerogative, but I still think you should test drive the gas version to see if it drives that much closer to you BMW than the Accord ( as some reviews imply), not saying it does or not as I have driven neither as of yet, but as I said the reviews imply it ( and may be grossly exaggerating, or maybe the new 3 series has fallen that much from your generation). But in any case as I said it is your choice and entirely up to you. I can understand your reluctance to get the diesel especially in the first year, and I guess by next year it will be the second for the CVT in the Accord so hopefully if there are any issues with it you will be able to know about them by then ( not saying there will be, though apparently there are complaints, but that just be people getting used to how they drive anyway) just that it is currently first year tech as well, and that by the time you buy hopefully any issue that may occur have, and either the fix is done or you can make your decision based on that). In any case have fun with your tests drives and I hope that you find the car that works best for you, that is what is important after all.
On top gear I think Jeremy Clarkson also drove a Jag twin-turbo diesel and made it on fumes to some grand opening in Manchester or something. He competed with his co-hosts; with Richard in a VW Polo TDI and and captain slow in a Subaru Legacy TD.
It was like 750 miles on one tank hyper-mile kind of thing from England through France and then back.
Not sure on the details. I have a meeting so....ttyl.
I guess by next year it will be the second for the CVT in the Accord
If it is anything like the Subaru Outback CVT I would hate it. That "Rubber Band" feel is just not to my liking. Engine racing to get you up the hills is just the opposite of a diesel that is as happy at 1500 RPM as it is at 3500 RPM. I'll take the 8 speed with no engine racing to get you up to 75 MPH. Interesting thing is the Japanese build excellent transmissions. Why do they cheapen their cars with a sleazy CVT?
According to Aisin the 8 speed in the Touareg is the same transmission Lexus uses in their top of the line LS460.
Oh I remember that one, the other two chose economy minded diesels, Clarkson chose the luxury model. Basel to Blackpool - the others hypermiled it and Clarkson intentionally drove without economy as he figured he'd run out of fuel close to home. He finished, I think an 800 mile or so journey too.
On the CVT issue, my comments are not complaints, but observations. It actually was a factor in (me) NOT getting the 7 speed hybrid CVT, 12 MB ML 350 Blue Tec. I would swag in an MB that would be the "high" end CVT application. The "hybrid" portion designed to overcome some key issues? MB uses more conventional A/T's in the rest of the line.
A CVT mated to a non diesel (SUBIE) is really off topic. However that being said,...
I just recently (2 months ago) had feed back from three test drivers (same family, be that as it may) about the Subie's CVT's they were considering. NONE of them are so called "car people, but each listed the " rubber band" effect prominently. It was a prime reason for them to move on and test drive other cars, despite me saying it was probably one of the best made cars in the US . The SUBIE dealers were dealing also.
I'm with gagrice. I think that is either older vehicles, broken vehicles, or something else. My father runs a bullydog on his Silverado. Had it both on his 2010 and now his 2013. It is pushing an insane amount of power. No significant smoke. A little puff on a hard downshift, but that's it. Same you can get from a turbo gasser under similar circumstances.
Not to say that your point is wrong, of course. Those who are not taking care of their diesels or running them improperly give a bad impression.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Yes, actually that was more of an issue with LSD in comparison with the 2006 mandatory ULSD. (low sulfur diesel being 500 ppm sulfur (49 state) 140 ppm (CA state vs 15 ppm sulfur (nominally delivered @ the pumps between 7 to 10 ppm )
Indeed, 2006 mandatory (mandated) diesel fuel (ULSD) is 99.99% to 97% LESS pollutive than its predecessor. (LSD)
So from that point of view, RUG/PUG is 2 times to 13 TIMES dirtier than ULSD !!!! (RUG/PUG can be nominally delivered @ the pumps up to 90 ppm sulfur (off line fees paid for over 30 ppm standard) It is more than interesting DIESEL gets the BLAME.!? This is especially true since the VAST majority of so called "GROSS" polluters run environmentally friendly RUG/PUG !!!
Visual smoke on a TDI, guarantees instant failure ! ( CA state "SMOG ONLY"). That is NOT true with a gasser !!!! I saw any number of gassers with visual smoke pass the computer tests.
Right. He was 15 mins from his house at one point on the M-5 and very much wanted to go home, a feeling I can relate with after 400 miles in my Optima, the last 45 in a grueling 3-hour, infuriating traffic jam 50 miles long south of DC on 95. Avoid area at all costs between Richmond and DC, especially holiday weekends.
In addition, I think one must also factor in the fact that so called US oems for US market "light trucks" aka BIG HONKERS meet far LESS stringent standards for both RUG/PUG and ULSD vehicles. This has been true for multiple decades. My swag are those differences will remain true in the future.
The differences between domestic light truck (3/4 ton domestic diesels are this size and UP) and passenger car emissions are not published as prominently as EPA C/H for example. Finding the differences and the resulting discussions are problematic, aka OPAQUE !! BUT I think anecdotally (cski's observation for example) indicates the "literal and proverbial trucks" can be driven through the "differences."
All passenger TDI's (i.e., VW Touareg CUV's, European diesels) have to meet much more stringent diesel passenger car standards. Indeed domestic oems cite costs to meet US market passenger diesel standards being .... prohibitive. I hope most folks can see this HUGE incongruity.
You make some good points. From what I've read, the Mazda 6 is the "driver's car" of the mid sized sedans. Like you said, only a test drive will tell. There is something to say about the fact that the Mazda has a conventional 6 speed automatic vs. the Accord's CVT. I do in fact have to drive the Accord to see if I like the way it & the CVT drive as well. I am confident that any early 1st year production/teething/driveability issues have been resolved by Honda.
The other reason if I go for Japanese & "boring" I will most likely stick with Honda is that the dealer I service our Pilot at is excellent.
There have been WAY too many delays with Mazda's SkyActiv-D engine for my comfort level.
I don't particularly care for the way the new BMW 3 series drives. Plus I'm trying to cut expenses (monthly & overall).
The VW diesels have been around as have the DSG transmissions. I'm willing to give them a shot based on what some of my poster friends have written.
The poor VW dealer I visit & tell him I want to drive a GTI, GLI, Jetta TDI, Golf TDI, & Passat TDI;)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
This was posted earlier, but in the near future a dry sump DSG 8 speed is slated to hit the US markets. The 6 speed DSG (wet sump) is a good product. I have to admit I was skeptical at first. On the 09 Jetta TDI they slapped a 10 year 100,000 miles warranty on it.
Either way, it'd be nice to see some enforcement taken against the stinkers. Rarely see any reports of that.
It would be nice if the over paid CHP did their job in citing the dozens of beaters coming up from Mexico blowing nasty exhaust. You see both big trucks and older cars with Baja plates. I have never seen one stopped.
It was also common to see contractors with big tanks in the back of their PU trucks going to Mexico for cheap diesel. Now the prices are comparable according to a friend that lives in TJ.
Should be a four or five figure fine for the douchebros who "roll coal" in their overcompensating trucks. The diesel industry should support it, too, as that group IMO does more to harm diesel image than anything (now that smoky old 220Ds and Rabbits are gone).
I just read an article in Car & Driver on the new Honda Accord Hybrid, and it has not only no CVT, but no transmission at all! The drive ratio is fixed.
See page 32 in this months issue (Upfront tech department article)
Honda claims 70% less fuel consumption than a conventional gas powertrain and 46 to 80% drive-line friction reduction.
What is the system called? " Two-motor Sport Hybrid Intelligent multi-mode drive/plug in" WHAT?
They are gonna need a LOT of room on the boot to slap that name on it.
This is why we need these diesels in America sooner than later! One motor, great MPG, and only two letters are needed. TD.
Makes me wonder why it only gets 50 mpg # 55 mph? I am led to believe those transmissions tend to have less parasitic losses than either A/T, DSG, M/T. !!! I would have serious issues going 55 mph @ long distances. ROAD hypnosis !
Rather than my anecdotal experiences, (only ranges of 44 to 62 mpg) let me point to both the Taylor's and Wayne Gerdes experiences. Now Gerdes does not really detail his strategy to get 77 mpg for that X country trip. Needless to say he is a know hyper miler. Nor do the Taylor's for that matter in shooting for 84 mpg. (both used the 6 speed manual 12 VW Passat). They do say however they go 5 under the speed limit, which presumably is 65 mph: so 60 mph.
Well, also, if I am driving along in the mountains in my multi-modal two-motor do-hicky and the AC/DC inverter/processor burns out, Zeke at the local Shell has no prayer of fixing it. None.
Then you are left with a decidedly less sporty two motor plug in hybrid-laser dark matter flux star fighter, or whatever the damned thing is called.
....and another thing. I am tired of sport being all over things that aren't at all sporting. I am cranky. Having pneumonia and at working sucks.
Mexican trucks used to be limited to 30 miles inside the US border. Now they can go anywhere in the USA. The state of CA talks tough and intimidates CA trucking companies. But do little to enforce the rules they set up. Part of it is international relations.
Although NAFTA provisions were supposed to be fully implemented by January 1, 2008, concerns about security and safety coupled with opposition from U.S. Teamster unions initially prevented the U.S. from enacting trucking provisions within NAFTA. After the U.S. cancelled a pilot program designed to fulfill its NAFTA trucking obligations in 2009, the Mexican government retaliated by raising tariffs on select U.S. exports. These reprisals encouraged the U.S. to reevaluate its position on Mexican trucking companies. The United States and Mexico signed an agreement on July 6, 2011 to resolve these issues, and the first Mexican trucking companies began crossing into the United States in October 2011.
Just like Canadian trucks. Just because you haven't seen one pulled over doesn't mean it doesn't happen. The real problem is having dozens of them stacked up and idling at customs trying to cross the border. The lines at Port Huron have been a mile or two long when I was last there.
It does not seem to be the semi trucks that are the problem. It is the 50 year old stake side trucks they bring up and haul out old tires and appliances on. Almost everyone of them you see are spewing black exhaust. Both gas and diesels. It is probably several issues for the cops. One is language barrier. Second is NAFTA. And third actually being able to do anything after you cite them. Comprende?
I don't carry a cell phone. And calling the cops is futile in CA. 911 goes to headquarters in Sacramento from a cell phone. They would be to the Mexican border before the cops got done eating their Donuts. The Speed limit for all trucks in CA is 55 MPH on the Interstate. They travel 70-75 like everyone else and the cops don't stop them. They have CHP that specialize in truck enforcement. They carry a scales in a PU truck and they would probably be the only ones that enforce the laws.
Then don't blame me for posts like Ohenryx's - that kind of inaction continues to smear diesels with a bad name. Customs could help by spot checking exhaust emissions.
..."Well, also, if I am driving along in the mountains in my multi-modal two-motor do-hicky and the AC/DC inverter/processor burns out, Zeke at the local Shell has no prayer of fixing it. None. "....
Correct ! You might get a GOLLY and we can flat bed it to the nearest Honda dealer .......
GEEZ, you got the P word? Seriously guy, if you do, get it looked at. I am told by doctors that most "older folks" (no disrespect meant to anybody) die mostly of the P word !!!!
Now you are being funny. Customs, INS and DEA at the border are worthless. They all epitomize the term Arrogant Pigs. Living in Mexico and crossing the border on a regular basis gave me a new perspective on the condescending US authorities. You are right, they should be our first line of defense. They are not keeping the Mexican polluters off our roads. I am sure their response would be that is a CA problem.
Drove the 09 Jetta TDI tonight. Just in time for the fuel lamp/ buzzer to go OFF. Filled shortly after with 12.6 gals (14.5 gal tank) for 41.4 mpg, 522 miles (41.5 AVG indicated by computer). This was a plain vanilla commute tank, 2 drivers. For some reason, this tank included 4 drivers.
I would have a hard time walking away from either one of those cars in a comparison. Mazda's delay of offering it's cool 2.2 liter twin-scroll turbo diesel in the U.S. from now until "Late Spring 2014" means maybe not at all. I really wanted to see if I could a drivers car like my old Passat, but with enough power to satisfy my power cravings...
I feel like an entire market has been stolen from us in America. There are so many cool Diesels in Europe, including the new Mercedes GLA hatch back and even the 1.7 turbo offered in the European Kia Optima... of which I own a gas model.
So listen up EPA. You can buy ANY THING YOU WANT IN AMERICA, except a 50 mpg diesel that doesn't have VW or Audi on the back. That is bull****!
I am not sure how to respond to your post, as VW seems to be taking a two path diesel approach. Now I do not know what they call it, but it would seem they are going: 1. mass market, i.e., US Passat, Jetta (both decontented from European versions, aka lower price points, hopefully higher volumes and percentages) 2. US market (taste of) German cars. (Golf, Touareg, etc)
So if VW( the number 1,2,3, in an given year WORLD oem) is "constricted," it just really shows how effective US legislative and regulatory agencies, like the EPA are at defacto manipulating the markets, driving up costs and keeping out unwanted products like 50 mpg diesels. A few snuck through, albeit the Mk IV generation, app 10 MY's ago, albeit EPA H of 49 mpg.
As you have mentioned there are multiple (world wide and European) TDI engines and drivetrains options. US markets seem to only have one TDI engine option per model. ONE if you discount the 3.0 L, the 2.0 L 140 hp/236# ft TDI over all.
Audi is just introducing (Europe) the 2014 Audi A3 Ultra. It has a 1.6 turbo diesel and apparently gets 73 mpg highway. That is U.S. numbers. May come to U.S. next year.
This is a good case of why use a #4 scalpel when a meat cleaver will do ! ? (actually vice versa).
So for example, I have no doubt this "smaller"TDI engine can cruise all day @ 100 mph. But at the same time if most (87%) are commute miles (13,728/15,750 miles, 27 miles o/w 54 miles r/t per day @ speeds of between 18 mph and 36 mph, times of 40 min to 105 min) better fuel mileage is the majority of the priority? As you know, the VW Polo as been out for a while and posts 75 mpg .
Indeed @ 73 mpg, 13,728 commute miles will use 188 gals yr.,@4 per=$752.yr./12 mo= $63.00 per mo.
(vs 332 gal @ 4 per=1326/12=$111.mo) or 43% CHEAPER ? Conversely the systems are happy that even though diesel is cheaper it does cost 76% more !?
You really have to ask the enviro cons, legislative and regulatory systems, for as much hot air as they invest extorting and flogging us all to "use little to no energy" why they have kept stuff like this off the US markets and make it damn near impossible to get.????????
So listen up EPA. You can buy ANY THING YOU WANT IN AMERICA, except a 50 mpg diesel that doesn't have VW or Audi on the back.
Don't forget that VW is far and away the most profitable auto maker in the World. They have deep pockets and put their money where they believe the future lies. Small companies like Mazda are bleeding red ink. So they cannot afford to make any mistakes.
34 year old mud? As in 15 years before air bags? I shouldn't trust solenoids moving my valves any less but it's Ok for an electric motor turning my front wheels on a hairpin turn Cliffside. My 4.3 Chevy got 23 hwy 16 yrs ago with 4 spd and pushrods. And now you think GM tells the EPA what to rate at?
Cylinder deactivation was problematic way back when and does not look like it has improved. If your 4.3 Chevy got 23 MPG hwy 16 years ago, that is better than they are rated for the 2014 model. Silverado 4x4 with V6 4.3L 17 city 22 hwy. The V8 5.3 is also rated at 22 hwy. Even the 2WD is only rated 1 MPG better than your 16 year old Chevy.
Of course IMO Chevy would be wise to put a 3.0L diesel in their Silverado and watch the smiles on the owners faces. But they will wait until Ram steals a lot of their sales, and scratch their heads.
Yes GM and Ford are both waiting to see how the Ram Diesel sells. The difference between the two is at least GM had stated that if the demand is there they will offer a 3.0l diesel quickly , ford is committed to Eco-boost gas engines. Not that it means that it will actually happen, but at least one of them has a plan to compete, even if reacting instead of leading isn't the best plan.
In light of the fact all (biggie) three have been selling (3/4 ton, "light truck") diesels for figurative and literal decades, and @ additional profits over high profits to begin with, (some pundits peg that to be between 10,000 to 15,000 for normal gassers) that is really weak. Call me cynical, but I would see that response as code for can we sell diesels for an additional 5 to 7k of PROFIT. Even if a big two light truck fitted my needs and wants to THE T, I would not be an early TDI adopter. If I heard good 20/20 hindsight things about the Chrysler diesel product, 2nd year and or 100,000 miles take, I would give them the uneasy nod. The real sleeper in that multiple horse race would be the Nissan TDI product with Cummins as TDI vender. Given my (even I admit) outlier experiences with the 8 speed A/T, anything less would be a deal killer. So yes, my take is but, but, but.....
Oh did I forget?... Do the biggie two think the American taxpayer (F.... ) idiots for pulling their bacon out of the literal and proverbial fire???????? Thanks for sharpening my focus on the issue. What is that, fool me once, shame on YOU. Fool me twice.....
Ford has a great diesel truck sold all over the World. The T6 Ranger comes with two diesel options. A 2.2L and 3.2L rated 30 MPG and 28 MPG combined. Not a chance I would buy an F150. I would jump at the Ranger with either diesel. Preferably the V6 for towing.
2014 Ford Ranger T6 Dakar, unavailable in the U.S. With a twist of the knife, Ford makes us lust for the rest-of-world Ranger. They've applied a little of the SVT Raptor magic honing formula to the Ranger T6 quad cab we see here. That involves—among a lot of other little cheaty details, which probably won't be disclosed by Ford—a Ford quad-cam V8 displacing 5.0 liters and making around 350 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque.
Although the T6 Ranger is offered in 180 markets globally, it is not currently planned to be sold in the United States or Canada, due to the new platform being too close in size and cost to the F-150, and due to overall declining sales of compact pickups in North America. (wiki)
But they are under my boycott anyway, so even if they did offer their diesel Ranger here, I'd still tell them to stuff it where the sun never shines. Of course it would be tempting if they did everything right with it. Although that would involve such simple tasks as getting the left foot dead pedal positioned in an ergonomically correct position...something they can't even get right on their F150. Plus their vehicle interiors smell like burnt garbage..LOSERS. Looks good on 'em..
Plus their vehicle interiors smell like burnt garbage..LOSERS. Looks good on 'em..
Maybe Ford is trying to go Green and using recycled garbage for the plastic interiors. Based on my last Ford I am not a fan. It was a Ranger with FFV V6 that was absolutely gutless. When I bought the used Nissan Frontier with V6 it was like night and day. That said I would probably give them another chance. Right now my thinking is to keep the Nissan until the wheels fall off. It does not get driven near as much since it has a new stable mate that is diesel. Only the short 3 mile trips around locally. Wastes electricity opening the garage door to get out the Touareg.
Wastes electricity opening the garage door to get out the Touareg.
haha, that must be a big ol' door..
But yes, you are right in not being too anxious to replace the Frontier given its use now. Plus, short trips are quite hard on diesels, so is even more reason to keep it for utility duty.
Mostly due to the increased efficiency with which a diesel operates compared to a gas job, means it is slower to come up to temp, hence everything emissions and otherwise all take their toll on the engine and longevity potential. It's a chain reaction of events that lead to and compound each other...eg. as in water vapour that relies on enough heat to evaporate out of the crankcase via the EGR valve. Even on gas jobs this can become an issue if the car never gets to go on the freeway or is run in city stop and go for 30 min + so that it builds lots of heat. It is more of an issue in the winter in areas that have the extra cold temps compared to areas that don't ever really get winter let alone cold temps.
I think even with a plug in (i.e., Volt) that is (a battery) longevity issue. Short trips are not really good for any propulsion platform.
It is good that he (Gimmesdtranny) hits on a pretty central issue ( operations protocols) for LONGEVITY. Drivers of any stripe, be they: gasser, gasser hybrid, E85, plug in electrical, STEAM (Jay Leno's STANLEY STEAMER) , TDI should try to develop their own (longevity) protocols. This can easily start with 30 mins + of up to (design) temperature driving. Good post !
Comments
It was like 750 miles on one tank hyper-mile kind of thing from England through France and then back.
Not sure on the details. I have a meeting so....ttyl.
If it is anything like the Subaru Outback CVT I would hate it. That "Rubber Band" feel is just not to my liking. Engine racing to get you up the hills is just the opposite of a diesel that is as happy at 1500 RPM as it is at 3500 RPM. I'll take the 8 speed with no engine racing to get you up to 75 MPH. Interesting thing is the Japanese build excellent transmissions. Why do they cheapen their cars with a sleazy CVT?
According to Aisin the 8 speed in the Touareg is the same transmission Lexus uses in their top of the line LS460.
A CVT mated to a non diesel (SUBIE) is really off topic. However that being said,...
I just recently (2 months ago) had feed back from three test drivers (same family, be that as it may) about the Subie's CVT's they were considering. NONE of them are so called "car people, but each listed the " rubber band" effect prominently. It was a prime reason for them to move on and test drive other cars, despite me saying it was probably one of the best made cars in the US . The SUBIE dealers were dealing also.
Not to say that your point is wrong, of course. Those who are not taking care of their diesels or running them improperly give a bad impression.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Indeed, 2006 mandatory (mandated) diesel fuel (ULSD) is 99.99% to 97% LESS pollutive than its predecessor. (LSD)
So from that point of view, RUG/PUG is 2 times to 13 TIMES dirtier than ULSD !!!! (RUG/PUG can be nominally delivered @ the pumps up to 90 ppm sulfur (off line fees paid for over 30 ppm standard) It is more than interesting DIESEL gets the BLAME.!? This is especially true since the VAST majority of so called "GROSS" polluters run environmentally friendly RUG/PUG !!!
Visual smoke on a TDI, guarantees instant failure !
Either way, it'd be nice to see some enforcement taken against the stinkers. Rarely see any reports of that.
The differences between domestic light truck (3/4 ton domestic diesels are this size and UP) and passenger car emissions are not published as prominently as EPA C/H for example. Finding the differences and the resulting discussions are problematic, aka OPAQUE !! BUT I think anecdotally (cski's observation for example) indicates the "literal and proverbial trucks" can be driven through the "differences."
All passenger TDI's (i.e., VW Touareg CUV's, European diesels) have to meet much more stringent diesel passenger car standards. Indeed domestic oems cite costs to meet US market passenger diesel standards being .... prohibitive. I hope most folks can see this HUGE incongruity.
The other reason if I go for Japanese & "boring" I will most likely stick with Honda is that the dealer I service our Pilot at is excellent.
There have been WAY too many delays with Mazda's SkyActiv-D engine for my comfort level.
I don't particularly care for the way the new BMW 3 series drives. Plus I'm trying to cut expenses (monthly & overall).
The VW diesels have been around as have the DSG transmissions. I'm willing to give them a shot based on what some of my poster friends have written.
The poor VW dealer I visit & tell him I want to drive a GTI, GLI, Jetta TDI, Golf TDI, & Passat TDI;)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
It would be nice if the over paid CHP did their job in citing the dozens of beaters coming up from Mexico blowing nasty exhaust. You see both big trucks and older cars with Baja plates. I have never seen one stopped.
It was also common to see contractors with big tanks in the back of their PU trucks going to Mexico for cheap diesel. Now the prices are comparable according to a friend that lives in TJ.
"The Department of Transportation says every Mexican truck is already held to the same safety and pollution standards as U.S. trucks." (NPR)
(er, don't mention my name to the "nose-blowing" folks over in the Liberty CRD discussion. :shades:)
See page 32 in this months issue (Upfront tech department article)
Honda claims 70% less fuel consumption than a conventional gas powertrain and 46 to 80% drive-line friction reduction.
What is the system called? " Two-motor Sport Hybrid Intelligent multi-mode drive/plug in" WHAT?
They are gonna need a LOT of room on the boot to slap that name on it.
This is why we need these diesels in America sooner than later! One motor, great MPG, and only two letters are needed. TD.
Rather than my anecdotal experiences, (only ranges of 44 to 62 mpg) let me point to both the Taylor's and Wayne Gerdes experiences. Now Gerdes does not really detail his strategy to get 77 mpg for that X country trip. Needless to say he is a know hyper miler. Nor do the Taylor's for that matter in shooting for 84 mpg. (both used the 6 speed manual 12 VW Passat). They do say however they go 5 under the speed limit, which presumably is 65 mph: so 60 mph.
Then you are left with a decidedly less sporty two motor plug in hybrid-laser dark matter flux star fighter, or whatever the damned thing is called.
....and another thing. I am tired of sport being all over things that aren't at all sporting.
I am cranky. Having pneumonia and at working sucks.
Although NAFTA provisions were supposed to be fully implemented by January 1, 2008, concerns about security and safety coupled with opposition from U.S. Teamster unions initially prevented the U.S. from enacting trucking provisions within NAFTA. After the U.S. cancelled a pilot program designed to fulfill its NAFTA trucking obligations in 2009, the Mexican government retaliated by raising tariffs on select U.S. exports. These reprisals encouraged the U.S. to reevaluate its position on Mexican trucking companies. The United States and Mexico signed an agreement on July 6, 2011 to resolve these issues, and the first Mexican trucking companies began crossing into the United States in October 2011.
http://www.cfr.org/mexico/mexican-trucks-allowed-cross-us-border-agreed-upon-naf- ta/p31004
Correct ! You might get a GOLLY and we can flat bed it to the nearest Honda dealer .......
GEEZ, you got the P word? Seriously guy, if you do, get it looked at. I am told by doctors that most "older folks" (no disrespect meant to anybody) die mostly of the P word !!!!
I feel like an entire market has been stolen from us in America. There are so many cool Diesels in Europe, including the new Mercedes GLA hatch back and even the 1.7 turbo offered in the European Kia Optima... of which I own a gas model.
So listen up EPA. You can buy ANY THING YOU WANT IN AMERICA, except a 50 mpg diesel that doesn't have VW or Audi on the back. That is bull****!
1. mass market, i.e., US Passat, Jetta (both decontented from European versions, aka lower price points, hopefully higher volumes and percentages)
2. US market (taste of) German cars. (Golf, Touareg, etc)
So if VW( the number 1,2,3, in an given year WORLD oem) is "constricted," it just really shows how effective US legislative and regulatory agencies, like the EPA are at defacto manipulating the markets, driving up costs and keeping out unwanted products like 50 mpg diesels. A few snuck through, albeit the Mk IV generation, app 10 MY's ago, albeit EPA H of 49 mpg.
As you have mentioned there are multiple (world wide and European) TDI engines and drivetrains options. US markets seem to only have one TDI engine option per model. ONE if you discount the 3.0 L, the 2.0 L 140 hp/236# ft TDI over all.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
So for example, I have no doubt this "smaller"TDI engine can cruise all day @ 100 mph. But at the same time if most (87%) are commute miles (13,728/15,750 miles, 27 miles o/w 54 miles r/t per day @ speeds of between 18 mph and 36 mph, times of 40 min to 105 min) better fuel mileage is the majority of the priority? As you know, the VW Polo as been out for a while and posts 75 mpg .
Indeed @ 73 mpg, 13,728 commute miles will use 188 gals yr.,@4 per=$752.yr./12 mo= $63.00 per mo.
(vs 332 gal @ 4 per=1326/12=$111.mo) or 43% CHEAPER ? Conversely the systems are happy that even though diesel is cheaper it does cost 76% more !?
You really have to ask the enviro cons, legislative and regulatory systems, for as much hot air as they invest extorting and flogging us all to "use little to no energy" why they have kept stuff like this off the US markets and make it damn near impossible to get.????????
Don't forget that VW is far and away the most profitable auto maker in the World. They have deep pockets and put their money where they believe the future lies. Small companies like Mazda are bleeding red ink. So they cannot afford to make any mistakes.
Of course IMO Chevy would be wise to put a 3.0L diesel in their Silverado and watch the smiles on the owners faces. But they will wait until Ram steals a lot of their sales, and scratch their heads.
Oh did I forget?... Do the biggie two think the American taxpayer (F.... ) idiots for pulling their bacon out of the literal and proverbial fire???????? Thanks for sharpening my focus on the issue. What is that, fool me once, shame on YOU. Fool me twice.....
2014 Ford Ranger T6 Dakar, unavailable in the U.S.
With a twist of the knife, Ford makes us lust for the rest-of-world Ranger.
They've applied a little of the SVT Raptor magic honing formula to the Ranger T6 quad cab we see here. That involves—among a lot of other little cheaty details, which probably won't be disclosed by Ford—a Ford quad-cam V8 displacing 5.0 liters and making around 350 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque.
Although the T6 Ranger is offered in 180 markets globally, it is not currently planned to be sold in the United States or Canada, due to the new platform being too close in size and cost to the F-150, and due to overall declining sales of compact pickups in North America. (wiki)
But they are under my boycott anyway, so even if they did offer their diesel Ranger here, I'd still tell them to stuff it where the sun never shines. Of course it would be tempting if they did everything right with it. Although that would involve such simple tasks as getting the left foot dead pedal positioned in an ergonomically correct position...something they can't even get right on their F150. Plus their vehicle interiors smell like burnt garbage..LOSERS. Looks good on 'em..
Maybe Ford is trying to go Green and using recycled garbage for the plastic interiors. Based on my last Ford I am not a fan. It was a Ranger with FFV V6 that was absolutely gutless. When I bought the used Nissan Frontier with V6 it was like night and day. That said I would probably give them another chance. Right now my thinking is to keep the Nissan until the wheels fall off. It does not get driven near as much since it has a new stable mate that is diesel. Only the short 3 mile trips around locally. Wastes electricity opening the garage door to get out the Touareg.
haha, that must be a big ol' door..
But yes, you are right in not being too anxious to replace the Frontier given its use now. Plus, short trips are quite hard on diesels, so is even more reason to keep it for utility duty.
That is precisely the reason I drive the gas PU the 2-3 miles into our local village.
What's that all about (other than short trips being hard on any car)?
It is good that he (Gimmesdtranny) hits on a pretty central issue ( operations protocols) for LONGEVITY. Drivers of any stripe, be they: gasser, gasser hybrid, E85, plug in electrical, STEAM (Jay Leno's STANLEY STEAMER) , TDI should try to develop their own (longevity) protocols. This can easily start with 30 mins + of up to (design) temperature driving. Good post !