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Diesels in the News

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Comments

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Not to do any comparisons or anything but WE (USA) can't be SERIOUS !!! :lemon: ;)
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    85% of all new cars are imported. 75% of U.K.-made cars are exported. :confuse:

    This actually makes sense. Figuring that many UK-assembled vehicles are the likes of Jaguar, Land Rover (did VW and BMW leave Bentley and Rolls assembly there?), I could see where most of those luxo-brands would be exported.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Toyota Confirms It Will Shutter NUMMI Plant
    I guess the environ cons are celebrating another (union shop) to bite the dust ?

    VW is planning to UP production (with up to 40% diesel) in Chattanooga TN.We will be selling 800,000 Volkswagens in the U.S. by 2018, and this new site will play a key role.
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    No NUUMI is a disaster as it contributed 1 *billion* a year to the California economy directly and indirectly.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Dollars spent locally have an 8 to 1 multiplier effect.

    And not that this is in any way related Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, reside in Nashville, Tennessee.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    You can thank the CA legislature for pushing another industry out of CA. We have the highest energy costs and the toughest regulations. There are better places to do business than CA. Somehow they think they can keep the gravy train going with no one to pay the taxes. If Toyota has two factories that can produce cars, one in TX that is new state of the art with NO UAW and friendlier legislature, the other in the most over taxed and over regulated state in the UNION, it is a no brainer. Toyota made a smart business decision. Now if they would only bring the Hilux diesel PU to the USA they would totally dominate the industry.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    It is truly the triumph of over-regulation, at all levels, local, county regional, state, fed,.. perhaps the world. So given another set of over regulation rules for huge properties in arrested decay, we will probably have to look at it in the so called "rust belt" deterioration status for @ least another 10-20 years ! Yuck.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Will the Bay area become the Detroit of the 21st century? Just look for those homes to continue being foreclosed on. The banks are starting to bundle them with very low value. To be held off the market until it turns around. That means a lot of empty places just collecting rats, roaches and homeless.

    A good use for diesel. Burn those old homes to the ground. Plant the lots in trees to mitigate the GHG in CA.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    This is app 30 years in hindsight, but when I first was scouting the area to live here 29 years ago, I had it @ app 25 years, before this area was to become "Detroit like". Unfortunately that is what seems to be occurring in this area, almost lock step.
  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    "85% of all new cars are imported. 75% of U.K.-made cars are exported.

    This actually makes sense. Figuring that many UK-assembled vehicles are the likes of Jaguar, Land Rover (did VW and BMW leave Bentley and Rolls assembly there?), I could see where most of those luxo-brands would be exported."

    You're absolutely correct, (my "confused" symbol was ill-used), and, yes, we still build Rolls Royce and Bentley, (plus Vauxhall, (Opel) and Ford), Aston Martin and some other low-volume marques such as Morgan, Lotus and Caterham; all of which qualify as "specialist". However, we also build Nissan, Toyota and Honda here. Indeed, IIRC the Toyota factory is rated so highly that it is used to train Japanese production management staff...........which has to be a very big compliment. As for Honda, I believe we build some, (maybe most or all ?), of the CR-V's that are sold in the USA market.

    We also used to build Peugeots but when times got tough or best pals - the French - took the work home. Mon Dieu; quelle surprise !! The same could soon happen with Vauxhall - depending upon who buys the Opel/Vauxhall bits of GM. The German government is pushing strongly for one of the potential purchasers who favours Opel and Germany. Mein Gott; another surprise. :)
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
  • larsblarsb Member Posts: 8,204
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    US has more sulfur in on road diesel fuel than Europe and expects requires lower levels of emissions than Euro V.

    top 100 countries based on sulfur limits in on-road diesel

    Lax standards for fuel regulations and the most stringent regulations for emissions. Not a sound approach.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Typical, nail the little guy and let the big offenders off the hook. When Fiat tries to bring in their little diesel cars they will have a hard time passing the emissions tests if they get some of our crap diesel . I wonder if that is why Honda diesels did not pass the test?
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    The last two post hit the nail on the head. In other diesel threads, I have posted the actual ppm, sulfur for ULSD (by law and nominally 15 ppm) and for RUG to PUG (by law and nominally 90 ppm). . Normally the vendor provides 5 ppm for ULSD. There is NO offline mitigation for ULSD. It has to be nominally 15 ppm sulfur. In contrast, for RUG to PUG, the vendor can provide 90 ppm by law and can mitigate it (fee based) to 30 ppm, sulfur OFFLINE . That means that so call "clean Prius' can burn up to 90 ppm RUG while either of my D2 burners, normally are @ 5 ppm D2 !!!! You will never guess which one gets blamed for being dirty !!!! ?????
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Sprinter will be Mercedes Benz only

    Dodge is losing the Sprinter. Mercedes will sell it thru existing Benz and Freightliner dealers.
    Sprinter will receive new diesel engine in 2010.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    A4 TDI will likely be sold in U.S.A.
    2010 A4 TDI
  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    Is that creaking sound I hear the opening of flood gates ? I do hope so - you guys have waited sooooo long.

    Neighbour just taken delivery of an Audi S5 - 3.0 TDi : 237bhp/368lbft. Says it's "nice". I'd guess it probably is.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    It is probably a rocket to compete with the BMW 335D. The A4 Allroad TDI with the 2.0L engine would be my choice. I just cannot get excited about the urea injected V6s.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Sadly they quit using the 5 cylinder 2.7L diesel with 5 speed tiptronic trans. That was the power in our Mercedes Sprinter conversion RV. It would cruise all day at 70 MPH and get 25 MPG. The new ones according to a FedEx driver friend are lucky when they break 20 MPG. The guy that bought the RV from me is living in it and has toured the USA. He loves it and has gotten even better than 25 MPG.
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Chrysler and Fiat are already considering bringing the Iveco Daily to replace it at Dodge dealers... the Daily is the Sprinter's main competition in Europe, and looks just like it.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Ducato is also being considered. Both Ducato and Daily would be branded Dodge.

    How long until Ford brings the Transit and will GM enter the market?
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Ford E-Series is the number one selling full size van in the US - you will never see the full-size Transit here. GM already has the Chevy Express/GMC Savana full-size vans. The Sprinter was given to Dodge to replace the old B-series Ram van - the others never left the market.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,586
    Good news, but the article didn't mention transmission options. The diesel's great, but I want a manual transmission to go with it.

    Thanks for the link.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    It looks like the Golf TDI will be the only manual transmission offering.

    30 mpg city / 42 mpg highway

    Both cars even get the same fuel efficiency ratings from the EPA: 30 miles per gallon city / 42 mpg highway when equipped with the DSG gearbox. (The Golf TDI also offers a five-speed manual, which knocks 1 mpg off the highway figure.)

    Buyers should note that the Volkswagen Group's TDI engines often returns far better real-world mileage than their EPA ratings would indicate.

    Competition: Lexus HS250h

    Audi clearly doesn't consider the Golf TDI competition, however. "The competitive set for the A3 TDI clean diesel is unique," it sniffs, naming only one competitor in fuel-efficient compact luxury vehicles: the 2010 Lexus HS250h.

    That vehicle, based on Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, offers roughly similar fuel economy, but Audi highlights the A3 TDI's superior highway range.

    Befitting a small luxury car, the A3 TDI's standard equipment includes leather seats, a cargo net and folding rear seats, as well as S-line exterior trim.


    http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1034903_2010-audi-a3-tdi-priced-at-30k-8k-ov- er-2010-vw-golf-tdi
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,586
    eight years on, having driven a diesel A3 with a manual in Germany, hoping that I can eventually drive something similar over here. I would have come home and bought one then. I would buy one now.

    Sadly, it looks like I'm going to be waiting even longer.

    Ask me if I'm surprised.

    Thank you, California.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Yes I think it must be harder, having say driven a diesel in Germany where diesels are 70% of new car sales, and over 60% of the passenger vehicle fleet. After taking the plunge on the 2003 VW Jetta TDI, it has been an utterly seamless experience for these 6 years and 122,000 miles.

    I have almost NEVER had to wait in line to get D2. The diesel engine is better adapted to our (USA) longer distance traveling than most other so called (gasser) economy cars. This thing can even run all day and not even hit the fuel station,(... well ok 6.25 hours and 584 miles for 12.1 gals; I didn't want to run out of D2 in the desert @ 104 degrees.)

    On the other hand, if you go a steady 75 mph with bursts to 85 mph, 56 to 59 mpg isn't bad. Especially, if one doesn't mind the extra time that it takes to run the same distances.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Several mags are reporting that a diesel version of the Audi A3 will be offered for sale here this year....but no manual trans.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    The head of Audi U.S.A. was recently quoted as saying that the GM Volt would be a complete failure and that only an idiot would consider buying one. He went on to severely criticize U.S. regulators for not recognizing the advantage of diesel vehicles here in the U.S. and for not recognizing that electric vehicles were a dead end.

    Pretty strong words if quoted correctly. Can anyone post a link to the article? I am sure all the pc phonies and greenies will be all over him, but in spite of his lack of tact, there is a lot of truth in what he said.

    Additionally a Fox news commentator talking about the Van Jones resignation (Green Jobs Czar) said the whole green jobs operation was a thinly disguised ruse to funnel money to Al Gore/Acorn and associates to further their GW scam.

    He likened the Green Jobs Office to a watermelon. Green on the outside...but Red thru and thru.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    Several mags are reporting that a diesel version of the Audi A3 will be offered for sale here this year....but no manual trans.

    And about time too !! Don't worry about the manual trans, the DSG is just fine and you can still play with the 'box.

    Went to watch some classic sports car racing to-day at my local circuit, (Cadwell Park, U.K.), No diesels racing - yet - but the "Course Car" was a new BMW X6 35d. Not a fan of the design; looks like someone leaned on the rear end of the roof, but thought it was interesting that it was a diesel. Guess the day will come when we see diesels in the "Classics" races...........or maybe not.
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Hi Dan,

    The head of Audi U.S.A. was recently quoted as saying that the GM Volt would be a complete failure and that only an idiot would consider buying one. He went on to severely criticize U.S. regulators for not recognizing the advantage of diesel vehicles here in the U.S. and for not recognizing that electric vehicles were a dead end.

    Pretty strong words if quoted correctly. Can anyone post a link to the article?

    Audi president Johan de Nysschen's quote link

    ;)

    Regards,
    Jose
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    I truly believe it is a two edge sword for companies/folks like MB, Audi, BMW, etc. . The US market has long been an outlet for their GAS (RUG TO PUG mostly PUG) guzzlers.

    On the other hand, it has been more than obvious to them for a LONG time, and is starting to hit the US markets consciousness, that the FUEL sippers side of their product offerings in the US markets has been and continues to be excluded.

    It has been easy to see in the VW Jetta. The 03 VW Jetta gassers were lucky to get 29 mph (driven like a hyper miler Prius), even as most folks report 24/25 mpg. In comparison, the TDI has been easy to get 48-52 mpg !!! The thing that does NOT come across is 48 mpg @ altitude (7k to 2k ft) and going 584 miles in 6.25 hours travel time !!! It is a no brainer to go 75 mph and get 56 to 59 mpg.

    BMW's shows 335 D, EPA 23/ 36H/27 Com , while the 335 I, EPA 17C/26H/ 20 Com, or diesel being 35% better !!??
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    It may be a bit strong. However the Volt is probably doomed from the start. High priced car and high priced electricity in the major markets will make it a tough sell. Sadly we have taken a wrong turn and made hybrids more than they really are. The US market is really all they have. The rest of the World has good economy with out the added complexity. EPA and CARB have done their best to add complexity to a simple diesel solution.

    From the Audi President:

    Although Audi has some hybrid vehicles on the way, the German automaker will rely heavily on its diesel technology to increase fuel economy and reduce overall emissions. Compared to standard gas engines, Audi’s diesel consume 25 percent less fuel and emit up to 35 percent fewer Co2 emissions – all while saving costs over a typical hybrid system.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Thanks Jose, I hope you are doing well !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    While I would hesitate to call a commute a government mandated set of yearly COMMUTE miles, (you are of course free to starve in the USA) as a practical matter a commute is MANDATED. So if you compare commute miles using a Corolla/Civic, etc gasser/diesel against Prius/other hybrids, EV. the fact of the matter is a hybrid let alone EV is not cost effective at all.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Diesel As An Energy Saver

    Not too much in the news of note in recent times concerning diesel.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    For sure it would seem sleepy...zzzzzzzz.

    However one interesting side bar might be VW considering making the JSW (Jetta Station Wagon) ALL diesel. I am not sure what parts of those 81% in JSW diesel sales can be attributed to any number of factors, i.e., turbo diesel, wagon popularity, etc. Or... it may be that just this population that happened to buy JSW DIESELS are really ready and willing to execute the logic of having the utility, looks of a station wagon AND great fuel mileage,etc. !??

    It is pretty clear however ,that even compared to Europe, which has upwards of 50% diesels; 81% diesel JSW is by definition a big majority, and obviously even more than Europe's (31% more).

    As a side bar to the side bar, it would be interesting to see if Toyota would be as bold with a Prius hybrid station wagon, or just even a normal sedan again like the ill fated 03 Prius hybrid. It would seem Toyota is locked into the what now has become the iconic Prius model design. This would beg the question: how well would a diesel sell in this (now) iconic design. My guess is Toyota's decision not to do diesel is a CLEAR indicator.
  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    Not exactly staggering news, but Volvo have just announced, here in U.K., that they are "facelifting" the C30. Engine range will be 5 x diesels and 3 x petrol. Best of the gassers is said to get in excess of 72mpg, (Imperial).

    Pretty darned impressive for a gasser in a decent-sized car, (i.e. not a Smart etc).

    Link here :

    C30 Facelift
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    ..."Best of the gassers is said to get in excess of 72mpg, (Imperial). "...

    US mpg (128 oz)= 60 mpg.(59.947).

    If one compares them to Volvo's available here. the US market are getting the GAS guzzlers !!?? (aka, How can one NOT come to the conclusion that the fuel sippers are not available here?)
  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    If one compares them to Volvo's available here. the US market are getting the GAS guzzlers !!?? (aka, How can one NOT come to the conclusion that the fuel sippers are not available here?)

    It would, indeed, be very difficult not to arrive at that conclusion. The fuel-sipper will doubtless be a revised 1.6D DRIVe which currently only shows a combined 64.2mpg, (Imp). ;) Now, it's not the most powerful or fastest kid on the block etc etc but they've improved upon an already-decent economy figure and that is to be applauded.
  • gfr1gfr1 Member Posts: 55
    I read in a auto mag. recently where European mileage testing and U.S. EPA testing figures are not directly comarable due to very different testing requirements (& not alluding to Imperial gals.). It said that you need to subtract about 30% from the European cycle (U.S. gals.) to get the equivalent U.S. EPA values. -- gfr1
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    It would be interesting what procedural factors cause the 30% differences. Or to make it easy post the European mpg figures for a 2009 Jetta or comparo. Also there are old and NEW epa figures.

    So how many US Volvo's do you know that get 42 mpg (vs 60 mpg) ? ;)
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Ad blitz targets diesel fuel's noisy, smelly image

    The diesel Cayenne SUV accounts for 60 percent of the company sales.


    Diesel SUV is responsible for 60% of sales for a company with image of expensive, high performance, sports cars.
    Times are changing.
  • alltorquealltorque Member Posts: 535
    It would be interesting what procedural factors cause the 30% differences. Or to make it easy post the European mpg figures for a 2009 Jetta or comparo. Also there are old and NEW epa figures.

    Here's the figures I have for the current Jetta Saloon in UK. All numbers are Imperial mpg on EU combined test cycle :

    1.9 TDi 105bhp Blue Motion : 61.4

    !.9 TDi 105 S (or SE) : 53.3

    2.0 TDi 140 SE (or SE Sport) : 48.7

    1.4 FSI 122 : 44.1 (Gasser for comparison)

    1.4 TSI 160 : 42.8 (ditto)

    2.0 TSI 200 ; 35.3 (ditto and Ouch !).

    And three Passats just for fun.

    Passat 2.0 TDi 170 : 45.6

    Passat 2.0 TDi CR 110 : 51.4

    Passat 2.0 TDi 110 Blue Motion : 57.6

    My car of choice - given the money...........

    Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 Diesel in any trim level : 42.0

    I'm sure the EU and US test cycles are different; be suprised if they weren't, but no idea what %variance that generates. Sorry. General feeling in Europe is that EU stats are circa up to 8% optimistic vs "real world".

    Hope this helps.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Thanks for researching that.

    ..."1.9 TDi 105bhp Blue Motion : 61.4 "...
    (sic: imp gal/combined)=51.12 mpg US (128 oz)

    The converted mpg is remarkably similar (European is 10% better) as the www.fuel.gov shows 48 2003 TDI owners reporting 46.4 mpg combined. Actually mine is closer to 50 mpg over 122,000 miles.

    This might be lost on the other side of the argument, but the 2003 TDI is/was more powerful in Europe: 105 hp/180 # ft vs US market of 90 hp/155 # ft of torque (17% better) AND comes standard with a 6 spd manual vs US market 5 speed manual.

    So to compare the numbers, the European model:

    1. makes more power
    2. has an extra gear
    3. gets better mpg (10%) !!

    Again it would be hard not to conclude the US version is "dumbed" down. Again it reinforces the notion that the better (mpg for certain and other points) European cars are NOT sent here. They of course have had a great market in the "gas" guzzlers.
  • 104wb104wb Member Posts: 38
    ..."1.9 TDi 105bhp Blue Motion : 61.4 "...
    (sic: imp gal/combined)=51.12 mpg US (128 oz)

    The converted mpg is remarkably similar (European is 10% better) as the www.fuel.gov shows 48 2003 TDI owners reporting 46.4 mpg combined.

    Key nugget for me in alltorque's post is that Europeans generally agree that EU ratings overpredict by 8%. Good to know. So I'd say, take 61.4, divide by 1.2 to get US gallons, multiply by 0.92 wor the 8% offset, and get 47 US mpg. Pretty darn close to the fueleconomy.gov entries.

    In the future, I'll just multiply the UK rating by 0.77 to get my 'US equivalent'. Hey, a Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet makes 165hp, 265lb-ft, 0-60 in 8.0, and averages 41 US mpg, pretty cool!
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    You are saying the same thing as me. However I pointed out the real life case of differences and anomolies. In effect, the European models still give 10% better mpg and that is despite having higher power ratings. Normally you would expect that with lower power ratings.
  • larsblarsb Member Posts: 8,204
    He likey:

    BMW 335d isn't the diesel you might think

    Especially if the other two relevant numbers here happen to be 425 lb-ft of torque and a redline that doesn't make its presence known until the tach needle reaches 5,000 rpm. Yes, I said 5,000, not 2,800. Or 2,200. This is one screaming diesel, if such adjectival terminology can be applied to such a powerplant.

    And did I really say 425? You betcha. That's why the 3,800 pounds of 335d went from rest to 60 mph in, oh, about six seconds flat. At the top end, the diesel Three Series is a little slower than, say, the 335i, but the only place that counts is on a race track's longest straight. The very fact the 335d owner certainly could have a good time at a Friday at the Track event says a lot about this diesel.

    What was even more impressive, however, was the way this thing absolutely scorched around slower drivers when passing on two laners. My tester was a six-speed automatic (the only available shifter), so a quick dip of the pedal brought a near-instant downshift and another dawdler was disappearing in the rear-view mirror.

    Is it one of of the seven deadly sins to derive so much pure pleasure out of watching those guys fade away behind me, over and over?
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,586
    "Lower emissions require lower engine efficiency."

    Those who can interpret the curves to pick an optimun balance between the two could fit in, well, not a phone booth, but a pretty small space. None of them influence CARB, let alone inhabit it.

    . . .and here we are -- cars that get 20-30% lower mpg to achieve 0.02% lower emissions. Oh, and it depends on which emission we're talking about: the evil CO2 or the even more diabolical NOx. European diesels are pretty good at the CO2 thing, but not up to the arbitrary CARB standards on NOx.

    Oh boy.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
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