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The official number of licensed ("medaillon") yellow cabs in NYC is 12,053.
Of course there are numerous so called black cabs or "gipsy cabs" which are not regulated by TLC.
But they are not target of Mayor Bloomberg´s hybrid plan.
Today in the U.S. people who are considered to be living in poverty are actually much better off than our upper middle class of 50 years ago. Many of us are old enough to remember the 50's. Life was simple then but certainly not luxurious.
I have absolutely no doubt that 50 years from now people will look back and pity us because we had to make do with so little. We have just scratched the surface.
Oh, and Tomcat63, you are wrong about Mass. City. We would never have gotten that far. We would still be comtemplating nature from the mouths of our caves.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
kcram - Pickups Host
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So for example, while the Jetta (etc) is built to and for and can literally run/running all day at 125 mph; in the USA this is not something that is commonly done.
To wit, Euro models have a min of .205 injectors vs .184 injectors (110 hp vs USA 90 hp) and a 6 speed vs 5 speed manual transmission. The differences while succinct and seemingly small in print are indeed more technically involved and HUGE.
First introduced with the Audi 80 in 1991 this one is of course a well approved engine, but nevertheless an old story of the first generation, still working with a Bosch VE distributor pump. Same with the 110hp, which came in 1996 with a new variable turbocharger (VTG) and modified software.
Second generation was unvealed in 1998 named TDI "PD" (Pumpe-Düse), now working with a unit-injector-system (UIS) providing significantly higher pressures and efficiency. Engines were available with 100, 115, 130 and 150hp (all 1.9 liter).
Since 2003 third generation is alive, now with 2 liters of displacement, 16 valves and optional 140hp or 170hp. Mileage per gallon is almost the same or partly even better than the good old 90hp.
It would be pretty impudent if they really withheld these powerplants from the US-market...!
And (surprise!) it´s 50 state legal, but will apparently only be available in the 140hp version.
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..."It would be pretty impudent if they really withheld these powerplants from the US-market...! "...
Ok ladies, don´t worry! They definetly didn´t fall asleep in Wolfsburg and the table is laid already.
Obviously common-rail technology has strongly advanced meanwhile and now delivers equal or even better efficiency than UIS. In addition to this the production costs are lower (app $150-$300 per engine), which lead to VW´s decision in fall 2005 to withdraw stepwisely from "PD" in favour of common-rail. The 2007 objective is a 50% release of CR engines and the whole change-over is meant to be completed by 2010.
As winter2 mentioned correctly, the 140hp 2.0TDI 16V coming to US with the new Jetta in spring next year will be a common-rail as well as the 225hp 3.0 V6 TDI for the Touareg and Audi Q7, also bound for the New World in 2008.
I don´t know why you folks are so concerned about EGR, but it will be history on these engines. In order to meet CA "Tier2/Bin5" emmission standards, the 2.0TDI will be equipped with a new NOx-reservoir catalyst, reducing nitrogen oxides by 90%. The 3.0 V6 TDI will use DC´s "BlueTec" system with SCR-catalyst and urea-based "adBlue" injection.
Now it´s up to you: Buy your Honda CRD now - or wait a little bit and get something that´s worth the money...!
According to a new study from banking house UBS, a new generation of diesel engines could outsell hybrids in the US by 2012, "selling 1.5m units in the US, compared with 1.2m hybrids", according to the FT.
That may allow some of the Detroit and European car companies to flank Toyota in the game to offer "green" cars. Hybrids are already more expensive that their gas-powered counterparts, so in the price game Toyota is already at a disadvantage.
The one you are talking about is a PD, but in an early "DPF" version (with optional particulate trap filter). Those filters of the first generation required a modified computer software in order to work properly, resulting in slightly lower performance (136 hp). Advanced filters of second generation don´t need that anymore.
Common-rails are only produced and delivered from this year (2007) on, with no difference in output compared to the PD´s.
As a matter of fact I'm driving one right now. I'm assigned to the 1st Cav Division in Iraq. The Ford diesel Ranger is great, has 4 doors and gets the job done. It reminds me of the early toyotas 1984 era truck on the inside. It's a great little truck...why won't Ford sell them in the US...why is Ford on the brink of bankruptcy? Why are the Big 2 1/2 on the brink of bankruptcy? Lack of vision or greed I suppose. If Ford sold this truck in the US I would buy one today!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
But I'll grill my TCH owner's manual with beer and bratwurst and eat it piece by piece the day diesel cars outsell hybrid cars in the USA.
Hybrids just have too big a head start.
Once Honda and Toyota have family-sized diesel cars on the ground in the USA, that will help the diesel cause immensely.
You are a braver soul than I betting on the fickled car buying public.
I agree. Has Toyota even started on building a clean diesel. Or will they use the Isuzu diesel technology they just bought into?
"Reported US Sales of Hybrids Up 26% in April"
As far as the Toyota clean diesel cars, I'll get back to you on that one.
Yes, Ford and GM have put them selves in a pathetic situation in the US market, but I believe they could turn that around if they started offering diesels in passenger cars and small/light trucks. They need to shake loose of this ethanol thing and gat back to reality. No one, well, very few are going to buy a car that gets 12 mpg (E85) when they could have the same thing getting 35 mpg (diesel).
Watanabe was left mumbling that Toyota is working on clean diesel engines, too, but isn't ready to say when the engines will come to market.
Toyota and Isuzu negotiated for three months. To cement their relationship, Toyota was willing to buy a stake in Isuzu. Toyota didn't have a specific number of shares in mind, says Watanabe, when it began talking to Isuzu's largest shareholders.
By Nov. 3, the two companies were ready to unveil the broad outline of their deal.
The two companies plan to combine their diesel and alternative drivetrain efforts.
"Isuzu's diesel engines will now be mounted on Toyota cars," Ida says. He won't say which cars, or which markets, will get the engines. That will be decided later, he says.
As with many smaller sized economic diesel vehicles being very popular in the whole rest of the world, no matter if sedan, van or truck. They simply consider them not to be appropriate for the US-market. Bigger is better and (bloody) auto-transmission is obligatory anyways...!
I share your enthusiasm for the Ford Ranger Diesel, although I myself currently own an old ´95 Chevy S-10 PU (for financial reasons in the end). But my (more wealthy) neighbour got the 2006 Ranger 2.5TDCI extended cab with the Mazda B-50 chassis/body and the 143hp common-rail engine designed by Ford´s European division in Cologne. Pretty expensive but awesome truck...!
Conclusion: Step on their feet or kick them in the [non-permissible content removed], they simply have to change their funny marketing strategy. If the market was open, all the CARB, EPA and what so ever emmission stuff could quite easily be done.
And finally, dear jpmeir, please don´t be angry with me.
From first day on I personally have been considering this cynical "enduring freedom" thing in Iraq as completely useless. I wouldn´t have spent a single penny on that crap - not to talk about any human life! Nevertheless I wish you guys good luck and all the best. Come back home to your families safe and healthy!
D4D engines installed in Europe in both cars and light trucks/suv's are very clean and very good performance.
Toyota tested a diesel engine with EPA that would meet current and upcoming emissions regulations, and this was at least 2 years ago.
Toyota could offer diesels tomorrow in North America if they chose to do so, Toyota simply decided to pursue hybrid technology in USA instead of diesel.
.. There might be something DC is looking at five, ten years from now also. All the major Diesel manufacturers are looking at adiabatic efficiency. This will require ceramic engine parts and higher temperatures. I doubt any of these components will be compatible with an abrasive. There might be some increased NOx produced but overall it will use considerably less fuel and the total amount of gases out the tailpipe will also be down.
I will not buy a gas powered car again. Once I am back in the US I will wait it out until I can buy diesel. I will buy a used diesel or rent but no more gas for me and Ethanol is a joke. Diesel is th future but GM and Ford will die off as well they should. "Nero fiddled while Rome burned." That is GM and Ford. More Muscle cars and more high performance cars, but nothing practical. I hate to see US auto workers unemployed but it's happening because the higher ups at those companies will not take the risk and push for diesel. The days of $4 gas are here and the days of 14 MPG trucks for general purpose use are gone.
Once you leave the US and see what else is available it's shocking how horrible the selection of good economy cars is, inside the US. I have no idea why it's this way but my guess is greed, because there is no other reason for it. I need a truck type vehicle right now as i have to haul things around and I hate hiring some idiot in a Jeepney with no insurance to do it.
To keep this in perspective I owned a 2005 Honda Jazz call the Fit in the US. it had a 1.3L engine and was roomy enough and I never did better than 10.5km/l in the city.
That's 24.7 MPG that's with the A/C on low but on all the time. I had the manual transmission in heavy to moderate traffic and rarely very light traffic. If I got out on a rural road i could get 11.5-12 km/l (27.5-28.23 MPG)
My mid size 4 door Toyota Hi-Lux 2.5L Diesel with a big rear seat and a 5 foot rear bed. Oh and our rear seat hinges up and out of the way so it's 100 times more useable than the Tacomas rear seat. Gets at worst 10.5km/l and averages 12 km/l! This is in the city driving in heavy to light traffic and I use the A/C more than I did where I lived before as it's much hotter here.
If I get out on any long traffic free roads I go up to 15 km/l (35.28 MPG)
I have to convert everything as I haven't really dealt with gallons for years now.
This truck might get 20 MPG in the US with a gas engine driving on a long highway with no stop and go's. I bet I could hit 40+ MPG easily if it had cruise control.
Diesels are the way of the future for most of us and the US car makers are stuck in a rut making new versions of old muscle cars. The handwriting is on the wall. I hope when I am back in the US I can buy a new diesel car. My dream car would be a Turbo Diesel Subaru WRX! Never happen but I'd settle for a Toyota or a Honda diesel. The VW's break too often and are too expensive to repair and it's not the engines it's everything else. New England winters i guess.
I hope you are able to get a truck like mine soon. You'd love it and never go back! I have tons or power and while it won't win any drag races. It does all i need it to do here in the Philippines.
Thanks for the report.
Referencing the now archived Edmunds.com, thread " I Hate Suv's, Why Don't You?" The "haters" feared almost rodent like multiplication
So perhaps the hidden agenda is the regulators still want to committ genocide on this minority market segment.
The bottom line: ALL segments can benefit from 25-40% better fuel mileage. It has existed for any number of years. For some reason it total escapes the regulators and environmentalists attention (that advocate less foreign oil dependence) that that converts to LESS IMPORTATION!!!!
The US and Euro markets in the mpg regard, almost live in parallel universes, US being deprived of higher mileage vehicles. It goes almost without mention that ALL, I mean ALL OEM'S make diesels!!!!! The trick, of course or killer application ISSUE: how to get higher mpg vehicles with out the 6-8 dollar US per gal gas. They almost will go hand in hand, so be VERY careful WHAT you wish for.
Thanks for the report.
The few Rangers that I do see here are usually the diesel versions. But I don't live in Manila and that is where the money to buy many new vehicles is.
You see more bizzare vehicles on the road in the Philippines and all the Jeepneys which are basic public transportation bench seating down the sides and they are all diesels and they pollute worse than anything you can ever imagine in your worst nightmare!
Just 1 Jeepney probably spews more pollution than 25 modern US cars. There are thousands of Jeepneys in this area. Many thousands in Manila. Oh they also run on bald tires, crappy brakes and look like they belong in a junkyard rather than driving people all around the city in a route on a daily basis.
So when people talk about saving the planet and emissions just come here or many other countries outside the US and Europe and see how bad pollution really is.
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It doesn't surprise me that the Europeans have 50% diesel. I'm surprised it's not higher. The US really needs diesels and not hybrids. Maybe a diesel hybrid as you could put all the extra torque into charging up the battery.
Sadly diesels are coming out in late 2008 at the earliest.
I wonder why car makers used to release a model prior to the new year and now they release it well into the new model year?
New Diesel Fuel Begins Flowing June 1
Refinery production begins on clean diesel; rollout to include two phases
By Brad Kenney
May 31, 2007 -- On June 1, the nation's refineries will begin producing low sulfur diesel fuel for use in off-road equipment. By December 1, locomotives and marine vessels, as well as farming, construction and mining equipment, are slated to switch to diesel containing nearly 85 percent less sulfur. This new off-road fuel has a sulfur content of 500 parts per million, reduced from approximately 3,000 parts per million in the previous blend.
Hurray, HAPPY HAPPY FRIDAY !!!
For sure, you have been a good sport! Also when debate has distilled into awareness and realization and concept change, you have embraced. So I salute you!
For the record it was never my intention to "scratch finger nails on the old school chalk board." We could have easily used a word/s or concept more to consensus!
With the admin chores out of the way, your posted articles' consequences can be absolutely HUGE (emissions) and indeed a LONG time in coming. For my .02 cents, it is heartily welcomed.
I agree that this should help clean the air at least to some degree.
Better late than never.............:)
Now bring on the diesel SUVs and 1/2 ton PU trucks to CA and I will be ready to buy one.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/74165.html
WASHINGTON – A plant that flourished in Europe roughly 3,500 years ago could become a major source of biofuel.
Researchers say camelina, planted on millions of acres of marginal farmland from Eastern Washington to North Dakota, could help power the nation’s drive for cleaner energy.
“This is the most exciting crop I have seen in my 30 some years in this field,” said Steven Guy, a professor at the University of Idaho and a crop-management specialist.
Researchers in Washington, Oregon and Idaho say the results from test plantings of camelina are encouraging. So far, the only farmers interested are in Montana, where more than 50,000 acres of camelina were planted this season. But a buzz is spreading slowly.
The story of camelina, though, is about more than just marketing an ancient crop to solve some of today’s problems. It stretches from a Puget Sound-area biotech firm that’s working to increase camelina yields by up to 50 percent to Capitol Hill, where lobbyists hope to convince Congress to cover camelina under the federal crop-insurance program to reassure skittish farmers.
Camelina supporters say the plant can grow in more arid conditions, doesn’t require extensive use of expensive fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, and can produce more oil from its seeds than other crops such as canola, by some estimates, for half the price.
So for example, if you goggle bio diesel/fuel you will find that algae is by far one of the most productive at 10,000 to 15,000 gals per acre. It s also is a food and ethanol source. Needless to say algae can be cultivated hydroponically: sea and fresh water.