Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options
What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Might help convince Rover to bring over Diesel SUVs too.
I have driven plenty of gas and one diesel liberty and the diesel makes that car livable but it is still a poor car. Plus that was still an old school loud diesel. Hopefully this one will be more modern and quiet.
The Wrangler on the other hand is a very good vehicle to begin with.
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
BMW's U.S. Engineering Boss Says 4-Cylinder Turbo-Diesel On the Way (Green Car Advisor)
if i were to go for an automatic transmission,
i'd probably prefer a pre-2007 Benz E diesel to a urea-ful 2007+ diesel and always have my eye out for nice used E diesel. a pal in Cali just snagged one. he is "the man"!
another factor is ethanol. the more the ethanol scam increases and propagates, the more i will prefer diesel... thankfully the ethanol scammers haven't figured a way to sneak ethanol into diesel fuel too.
Diesel is more expensive in Britain because it's taxed at the same rate as gasoline. (Telegraph)
As I am a "non-lottery winner", I cannot afford a "BlueTec".
The price of Diesel fuel in prohibitively high in the DFW-area.
The additional cost of the Diesel powertrain/"clean" Diesel system is prohibitively high.
My Hybrid Mariner and Prius do just fine, as do my Focus, and Passat.
I don't get less that 30 on any of them at highway speeds ( 60mph ).
I have driven the newer Diesels, and they are much more responsive than older models.
I once had a turbo-Diesel Mercedes-Benz ( circa 70s-80s ). It was not built to be an "economy car", but the fuel mileage was significantly better than any gas-powered vehicle it's size. The trunk was huge! The passenger interior volume very comfortable and practical. NOT flashy 'tho.
I'll stick with what I have got.
Not so. :surprise:
Regards,
Jose
At least you are AWARE that diesel-power exists.... I would bet most Americans cannot even say that.
Diesel Beetle in 2011 (Green Car Advisor)
I guess VW will never do hybrids, huh?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The news that the Rabbit will get a hybrid variant is a bit surprising as VW announced just a short time ago that it would not put a version of the diesel-powered Golf TDI Hybrid concept into production.
In addition to the three new hybrid models, VW is also planning to launch a very limited run of all-electric cars based on the up! concept in 2010. Details remain scare on the new EV but it is said to be the basis for a new plug-in hybrid micro van that will likely launch in the U.S. sometime next decade.
This was from 2008. Not sure if plans have changed. I doubt it would be profitable. And VW does not need hybrids like Ford, GM and Toyota. I think there is an all new Beetle that will get the 2.0L TDI. The old New Beetle is 12 years old and in need of updates.
VW is considering giving U.S. dealers the Amarok, a 2.0-liter compact pickup developed through VW's Commercial Vehicles division, said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America.
In January, Volkswagen AG will begin global marketing for the Amarok, which it will build in Argentina and sell in South America and other markets around the world.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20091214/RETAIL03/312149985/1128
I wonder if that "2.0-liter" refers to VW's existing 2L diesel.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
So why is it ridiculous? I was kinda hoping someone would eventually start selling a genuinely compact pick-up again. And VW should make some money from this. But I bet the 2.0 is the diesel, and that would be a good idea IMO.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
And a new Jetta. I haven't heard it rattling in the morning like the other two rigs so I don't know if it's a diesel.
Anyway, I bet they'd sell fine, at least here in town, even if they aren't big enough to pull all the horse and landscaping trailers around.
The German automaker said that the Amarok comes with a payload capacity of up to 1.15 tonnes and maximum towing limit of 2.8 tonnes.
It also features a 2.52 m² cargo area that is claimed to have the largest dimensions in its class at 1,555 mm long and 1,620 mm wide, plus a best in class width between the wheelarches of 1,222 mm which, according to VW, means that for the first time on a mid-size pick-up, it is possible to fit Euro pallets sideways.
Under the hood, there's a choice of two 2.0-liter TDI turbo diesel engines producing 163HP and 400Nm (295 lb-ft), and 122HP and 340Nm (251 lb-ft) of torque.
And this would be just double the MPG of my Ranger gutless wonder.
Volkswagen says that even in the 4x4 version, the 122HP TDI consumes just 7.6 lt per 100 km (31 mpg US) while the more powerful 163HP TDI model, 7.8lt/100km (30 mpg US). Combined with an 80-liter fuel tank, the pickup truck is capable of ranges in excess of 1,000 kilometres (620+ miles).
Yeah, but folks around here want it to look big, mean and honking.
There is one sort of similar looking Ridgeline in the neighborhood, but I think that guy pulls a wake boat. Honestly it reminds me more of an Avalanche (and that's good), but is it really big enough looking for NA cowboys?
Kind of fun that Amarok means wolf in Inuit mythology. Time for a pic:
First Drive Review of the 2010 Volkswagen Amarok
Volkswagen said it developed the Amarok with the almighty Toyota Hilux firmly in its sights. We’ll have to wait for a proper fully-loaded test drive on familiar roads to make sure, but the early test suggested it could give the Toyota quite a kick in the teeth.
It is set to take the lead in terms of comfort, refinement, safety and the new engines bring a new level of economy to the class too.
The Amarok might be European-designed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s soft. Despite early predictions of a unibody chassis, like the Honda Ridgeline, it’s a conventional body-on-frame workhorse with MacPherson struts at the front and leaf springs at the rear.
It will only be available as a five-seat crew cab when it goes on sale in early 2010, but a regular cab with a longer cargo box will follow about a year later.
Our test trucks, which ran with light camouflage that included black tape and an upside down Mitsubishi badge in a token attempt to hide their identity, were fitted with some ballast in the back to aid the ride and simulate payload.
In the hands of customers, the Amarok will be able to carry 2,300 pounds (1,150kg) in the back and tow a handy 5,600 pounds (2,800kg).
The Amarok looks big to us Aussies, and certainly is longer and wider than the Hilux, but then again we don’t have pick ups like the F-Series and the Ram Down Under.
It’s spacious inside, and is 64 inches wide, which is almost 5 inches more than the Hilux and is easily the widest in the class. There’s ample headroom and more than enough legroom in the back too. You could fit four big blokes in this thing comfortably without having to rub shoulders. Drivers wanting to use the Amarok after work will be happy to know three kids would have enough space in the second row to be comfortable for long distances.
The more powerful TDI engines is rated at 163 hp and a stump-pulling 295 lbs.-ft. of torque at a low 1,500 rpm. It doesn’t seem right that such a small engine can be used to pull such a big ute, but it seemed to do just fine on our test.
There is a nice surge of torque from 1,500 rpm through to 2,800 rpm, which makes the Amarok quite entertaining. It’s a smooth oil burner with linear power delivery. The two turbos work seamlessly together. Only once on the drive did it seem to lose its boost and pause before getting going again. It has ample urge with minimal weight in the back, but the real test will come when it’s towing a serious load.
The engines promise class-leading fuel economy too and, thanks to a 21-gallon tank, VW says the Amarok can go 600 miles between fills.
Lots more info
So they did make them, for some markets back in the day. I think my friend's was circa 1950s, maybe 40s.
You should be the one telling me this - model 170. His must have been custom though, or maybe just a badge job, since it looked nothing like this. His looked more like a typical Ford or Chevy of that era.
I think MB could make something interesting...they have the Unimog, that's an impressive credential.
Today I saw a very nice blue on silver W126 300SD - I wish something like that was still sold here today. Of course, in Europe, a modern version does exist.
Since we're on Mercedes:
Mercedes-Benz to Offer S-Class Model Fitted With Four-Cylinder Turbodiesel Engine (Green Car Advisor)
"Weber said that downsizing the S-class diesel proved to be an engineering challenge, due to the NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) issues. Customers don't accept much NVH in Mercedes' top-of-the-line automobiles.
Mercedes engineers met the challenge by changing engine mounts and adding body stiffness, Weber said."
Translation = less rattling from the diesel?
On both the diesel cars I rented in Germany, I thought "WTH is this, a tractor?" when it was at a cold idle with the door open or window down (and one of the cars was a 7-series)...but the issues vanished when the car was in motion.
- 3.0L turbocharged 72° aluminum V6 diesel
- 215 hp at 3800 rpm (redline 4500)
- 375 lb-ft at 1600-2800 rpm (the Euro-issue 5.7 Hemi is 389)
- urban cycle 10.8L/100KM (21.75 mpg US)
- ex-urban cycle 6.6L/100KM (35.6 mpg US)
- combined cycle 8.1L/100KM (29 mpg US)
With the 18 gallon tank, that's a potential highway range of 630 miles.
Show me another car in this class (premium mid-size/baby full-size) that can go coast-to-coast on 5 tanks. (Just to compare, the Fusion Hybrid gets 36 mpg highway, has only a 14 gallon tank for a range of 504, and has 4 inches less rear legroom.)
And while I wouldn't buy one myself...
2010 Chrysler Grand Voyager (European Dodge Grand Caravan)
- 2.8L turbocharged I-4 diesel
- 161 hp at 3800 rpm (redline 4300)
- 266 lb-ft at 1600-3000 rpm
- urban cycle 11.8L/100KM (20 mpg US)
- ex-urban cycle 7.1L/100KM (33 mpg US)
- combined cycle 8.8L/100KM (26.7 mpg US)
With the 20 gallon tank, that's a potential highway range of 660 miles.
Chrysler would have no trouble meeting the new CAFE rules if they simply brought these things here.
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
HOWEVER: The stupid emmissions rules in the USA would not permit those vehicles on these shores.
Incase you have not followed Diesel-power in the USA... the EPA has some kind of vandetta againset Diesel-power and has purposefully stacked the rules to make it nearly imposible for Diesel power to meet the rules. The EPA, has done this to discurage Diesel-power in the USA.
For example - We waited YEARS to get the ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel) fuel in this country (Just so USA diesel would match the quality of European fuel) and the very next year after ULSD arrived, the EPA changed the rules.
To the dismay of the EPA - Some companies have managed to engineer a Diesel-engine that meets the new rules. The new VW Diesel engine is the MOST COMPLICATED ENGINE that VW has ever manufactured. I fear this complication will put it out-of-reach for most folks that expect the reliability of a Toyota without doing any preventive-maintenance. (Try finding the proper engine-oil for a new VW Diesel at any autoparts store in the country!)
I am sooooo glad that I have the older VW TDI that averages over 750 miles per tank of fuel without all of the complicated emmissions equipment. The use of ULSD makes the emmissions virtually Sulpher-free.
Science has PROVEN that CarbonDioxide is not even a greenhouse-gas... yet the Politics of calling it such is too lucritive for the EPA and the Tax-writers to embrace the truth of science.
Unfortunately. the high combustion-tempartures that are desired for economy are what cause Nitrogen to be burned too. This is what causes the NoX. It is a delicate balancing-act to maximise efficency AND not produce NoX.... all in an automible which is driven under many variable ambient tempartures and engine-loading.
And maybe they ought to consider a less powerful and more fuel-thrifty diesel for the smaller models.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The E200 CDi I drove in Germany which easily averaged nearly 45mpg with a lot of stop and go driving was something that might be interesting here.
Probably the same engine as the E200 you rented. They just said they were from British Columbia.