And if a sensor is on a car, the engineers who built it put it on there for a good reason. They are smarter than we are.
I seriously doubt that. Engineers add things in to create work for themselves. I have worked with so many engineers that make changes in design with NO improvement in the equipment.
I have to go with the design of the newer Ford Powerstroke diesel engines. They have so many sensors that we were in the shop on a weekly basis for a computer reset. NO Problems just sensors that did not like the cold in the Arctic.
... There are twenty sensors in the new Powerstroke. If the atmospheric sensor in the main box goes, it can not be replaced. New box. They must get it right and have some longevity. I am sure the new Duramax is in the same ballpark.
200-bhp 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged four. Direct injection would mean diesel correct?! If thats true I'm :shades: 200hp Diesel engine has got to have gobs of torque (yes thats a tech term) I want it! If it were Japanese (Honda/Toyota) Id want it now!
... Direct injection used to mean only two things: Diesel and the gull-winged Mercedes coupes from the Fifties that had a very expensive gasoline direct injection. Now a days Caddy and Mercedes and some from Japan have gasoline direct injection and expect more like Mercedes Dies-Otto. So I don't know enough about the model you refered to.
There are plenty of diesel Jaguars in Europe. I haven't heard of any plans to bring one into the US. Furthermore, whatever plans Jaguar had in the past are now up in the air due to the sale of Jaguar to Tata.
Then there is the new Jetta Diesel which is something like 140hp/245ft-lb using the new Jetta's ratio it would be 200/385 # ft of torque. If my numbers are correct. Also I saw an old Auto week today (2-3months) that said the Passat CC would come to the US with a diesel V-6. Hmmm
Mine served as a point of comparison. As you know, there are a lot of variants and also a lot can be lost in market translations. For example, the 90 hp/155#ft of torque 5 speed manual for the US market was a 100/110 hp/ (the torque you can goggle) 6 speed manual for the "other" ( European) market/s. The European model had bigger injectors.
to hear your opinions on a decision I'm trying to make. I will be needing a new car in the next 12 months and was hoping to purchase a hatchback with the new biodeisel engines. There doesn't seem to be a lot of offerings coming except from Mercedes, VW and Honda. My feeling is that all three of these makes will be out of my price range. Also, I don't feel comfortable with VW's past reliability history. My question is: Would it be wise to hold off on my purchase and drive what I have until it dies or get into a gasoline hatchback to my liking? I would like to hope that there will be more offerings at a price I can afford in the next 12 months. The price I would like to pay is around $15,000-$17,000. Any opinions would be helpful. Thanks to all!
My question is: Would it be wise to hold off on my purchase and drive what I have until it dies or get into a gasoline hatchback to my liking? I would like to hope that there will be more offerings at a price I can afford in the next 12 months. The price I would like to pay is around $15,000-$17,000. Any opinions would be helpful. Thanks to all!
Jetta Sportwagon will be the only diesel hatchback available in the next 12 months - it will be in the $27-30,000 range. Honda diesel will probably be an Acura TSX model year 2010, available late 2009. Check out the new 2009 Vibe, it has a list price of $15,995 and should be arriving at dealers in March or April.
My .02 cents vote would be hold out to the VERY end of its economic viability! This is assuming you want a NEW diesel. After the new diesels come out, I am almost certain there will be a small but stable market of those who bought new diesels, but for one reason or another decide to sell it.
This might not be a direct answer, but I think you owe it to yourself (since you are stepping out a bit to do bio diesel) to get into (research) the (SUB) culture. This would range from #2 diesel truck stops to regional bio diesel, "home brewed" bio diesel (smells like fries) to WVO conversion, AND independent diesel repair, vendors.
This might not be on topic, but I have a 2003 VW Jetta TDI with 102,000 miles, It still has the oem tires, brake pads, rotors, shocks/struts, springs and alignment. I will probably change out the tires @ 110,000 miles (despite indications it is good to go to 125,000 miles) as I am curious about the new set I have waiting on 5 spare rims. I have had the (required) T/B- W/P 100,000 mile interval done. 2 TSB's were completed by the dealer: 1. brake light issue 2. replace rear door pins, plastic to steel.
I am still amazed the local Craigslist has 2003 VW Jetta TDI's for sale for $1,000 more than what I paid new in 2003. Needless to say I have been satisfied at almost EVERY conceivable issue that I had before it was purchased. Depending on conditions, for an EPA rated 42/49 mpg, I can call on a range of mpg 44 to 62 mpg. The truth is you can not tell the difference from the outside, like you could if you were a "hypermiler" in a Prius.
Hyundai is coming out with the Elantra Touring 5 door in the next few months. A dealer told me that it will have a 50 state diesel option by the summer of 2009. I would expect it to be priced in the low 20's.
Why does vw past history still bother you? That was the past!! Almost all the issues were fixed in 2003! The New Jetta and Rabbit only have 1recall and 4TSBs and nothing that serious either. The MKV cars all all quite reliable. Even the biased company that marks down every vehicle rated the Jetta and Rabbit nicely.
If you think you should wait, then wait. If you think you want a new car and really do, then by all means buy.
Actually, the 2006 Jetta TDI is a great cheap diesel car you can buy now!
If VW thinks enough people will buy diesel, then I'm 99.99% sure that we will see a VW Rabbit Diesel with the upcoming 2l (140hp 234lbs ft 40+mpg) engine as well as the Tiguan TDI, Touareg V6 TDI and likely another Passat TDI.
Personally, I dont like toyota anymore. They're more about quantity vs quality. They have sooo many recalled vehicles and their interiors aren't good at all IMO. The Pontiac Vibe is just a Toyota Matrix(Corolla Wagon/Hatch) and fits under the I dont like category.
For that $15k-$17k you mentioned, I'd get a 4door Rabbit or Jetta. Even used from 2006+! The 2005.5 had a few bugs but nothing a trip or two to the dealer wouldn't fix. I have an 06 Jetta 2.5 with package2 saved in my autotrader for about $14k with 23k miles. I would love to buy it in September but I think I'll hold on for a few more years, an accident(knock on wood), or until my accord runs out of steam(The way its slurping anti freeze lately I dont think there will be steam...).
Passat diesel sounds nice, as it is a larger car, but only putting a diesel in a Jetta seems non-productive to me...I like to be surrounded by some steel (plastic?), the more the better, and the Passat seems larger than the Mini Jetta...
? Diesel's are almost infinitely adaptable to almost ALL sizes of the passenger vehicle fleet. But indeed, the Passat is larger than the Jetta, and the good part: as more oems they on more diesel models- to each their own!
... Just got my info pack from Australia. My opinion, this is the real thing. Reasons: can't buy stock in USA, Australia only, I don't know exactly how they achieve such pressure, but in theory the multiplycation is possible, connections, Pentagon, Hummer, GM-USA, GM-Australia (Holden), European awards, Australian awards. The thought, why didn't I think of that ? (lol).
I think you would be wise to wait if you can. The entire VW line up continues to rate no better then average year after year - indeed the entire European line up as a group is now less reliable that the entire US line up as s group per Consumer Reports. Although new, Honda would be my choice in the diesel group for overall reliability including things like door handles, trim parts and electrical components which fare far below average in VW.
This may be a strange place to post this but if it works out it could certainly affect diesel as well as others.
A Canadian named Thane Heins supposedly has an electric motor that produces more energy than is put in! Just google his name to find out more. We've got some smart guys here that can discuss/explain this.
There is more to a vehicle than reliability. There are many people that buy cars because they are fun to drive. VW is a lot more fun to drive than most Honda cars. Of course the S2000 is fun. The Passat TDI I owned for a year was very enjoyable to drive. Much more so than our LS400 or Sequoia. Everything is compromise. I did not like the ground clearance and the exertion required to get in and out of the Passat. Once in though it was a pleasure to drive. My refrigerator is reliable. An Accord is about as much fun as my refrigerator. The Germans know a lot more about building cars that handle good than the Japanese. Plus they are still ahead of the Japanese on diesel technology. Though Honda is closing the gap quickly.
Japanese oems are having significant issues getting greater market share in European markets. European markets are app the same size as the US markets. Essentially the Europeans see the Japanese oems like we see saw Japanese OEMS- 30-35 years ago. Not close to ready for prime time. Noteworthy is the significantly higher cost (ultimatel cost per mile driven) for European passenger vehicle operation on almost any item you wish to measure, than say in our ( US) market. So logically, sense would dictate any operational cost advantage: increased reliability better mpg (ie lower costs) would skew the odds toward the oems offering THOSE advantages.
I guess this is the USA version of the Europe Honda Accord Diesel?
The redesigned Acura TSX--which will be Honda's first diesel-powered car in the United States--gets a public debut at the New York auto show in March.
The new TSX, which will be a 2009 model, goes on sale this spring, Acura said.
Honda officials said at the Detroit auto show in January that the TSX would be equipped with Honda's new 2.2-liter diesel engine. The car also may be equipped with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine used in the Acura RDX small SUV, according to Automotive News.
The TSX is Acura's second-best-selling car in the U.S. market. Acura sold 33,037 TSXs in 2007, down 13.1 percent from 2006. The TL sedan is Acura's best-selling car in the U.S. market, with sales of 58,545 units in 2007.
The TSX is based on the Honda Accord sold in Europe. A redesigned European Honda Accord will make its debut at the Geneva motor show in early March.
I would consider one as a replacement for our 19 year old LS400. I read conflicting articles. One says it will be here next year. This articles says THIS Spring. I will be checking. We are looking at a used E320 CDI with 10k miles. No rush. A good deal is the highest priority.
link titleVW counting on new cleaner diesels January 24 2008
Passing other vehicles isn't a problem either. The Jetta can hit 0-100 km/h in less than 10 seconds — in line with its gas-powered sibling, which can accomplish the feat in 9.5 seconds.
Yet you'll still get outstanding fuel economy and an impressive driving range with the new Jetta TDI, especially if you're logging a lot of highway time. Expect to get about 1,000 kilometres with a tank of diesel. That spells fewer trips to the gas station — a move your pocketbook will definitely appreciate. Fuel economy is rated at a frugal 6.5 litres/100 km in the city and 5.2 on the highway.
The Touareg TDI won't hit Canadian streets until next year, but the 2009 Jetta TDI sedan and wagon will go on sale in a few months.
Hybrid bashing? Hardly! All I knew was what I read in the papers! :shades: I saw it as a hybrid owner asking a question. Indeed I quoted it and the Question and Answer was not MY opinion.
This is a diesel forum. Your post had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with diesels, and served no purpose besides attacking hybrids. I have warned you and others here enough times about this.
..."Auto firms look to diesels to meet new standards 'Diesel has a clear cost advantage over hybrid' MICHAEL BETTENCOURT
February 21, 2008"...
..."The percentage of North American drivers expected to be driving an oil burner in the next 10 years is predicted to hit 17 per cent, more than a five-fold increase over the 3 per cent driving diesels in 2007, according to J.D. Power and Associates' annual global diesel light-vehicle forecast released in January."...
2. Read the article, before popping the hair trigger. My take is CA/USA are NOT the only players wanting to trump the new 2012 35 mpg standard/s. CN will get there first if CA/USA doesn't match the hot air production with MORE of the passenger vehicle fleet of cars that actually GET 35 mpg. If anything my take is they really want to keep it from happening, even as they pass legislation calling for its implementation. Let me illustrate. In 1971, (37 years ago) I was driving a 1970 VW Beetle that got 30-34 mpg, while most cars might be getting 12-15 mpg? Today the standards are 27 mpg stated but DEFACTO @ 22 mpg. I was three to 7 mpg (better) than the current standard 37 years ago....SO WHAT !!???
3. I am not sure how you came to the conclusion he is saying gasoline cars are going to go away.
4. The truth is out there, but I would assume Planet Canada "EARF" or was that Planet Earf- CANADA. Item #3 is appropo about gasoline ceasing to be a fuel source. Indeed you might remember (my posting from) EIA.gov about how diesel is a consequence of RUG to PUG production from a barrel of oil AND its %.?
5. A good first step, would be a diesel option in models oem's are willing to address the US market with. I would not be for hybrid for hybrids sake. (Lots of technical reasons) So for example if we are mentally blocked at 50 mpg, I'd be for a hybrid (usual boiler plate caveats) for an easy kick to 100 mpg. :shades:
I agree as long as we have oil we will have gasoline as a percentage of each barrel. Diesel however can be made from many sources. Coal, natural gas, grain, algae, WVO and other sources. Which gives diesel vehicles a longer lifespan than gasoline vehicles. I got from what Maher was saying is the USA is putting all the eggs in the gasoline basket. We are far less diversified than most of the World.
The biggest issue I see is shortages. Katrina was another wakeup call. There were long lines for gas with empty tanks at gas stations throughout the SE to Florida. You could get diesel if you had a diesel vehicle. I want one of each. A diesel vehicle, a gas vehicle and an EV.
Indeed a % diesel passenger vehicle fleet population closer to and or exceeding the natural percentages yield on a barrel of oil, mathmatically will lessen the (overall) demand of oil. As Gagrice has indicated diesel does further has the ability to be an alternative fuel. This of course would FURTHER decrease the over all demand. A simple localized example was the City of Bekeley's sale and distribution of 40,000 gals per year of waste stream (recovered) diesel. Any guess has to how many recycle centers/land fills there are in the USA?
Solazyme, a startup based in South San Francisco, CA, has developed a new way to convert biomass into fuel using algae, and the method could lead to less expensive biofuels. The company recently demonstrated its algae-based fuel in a diesel car, and in January, it announced a development and testing agreement with Chevron. Late last year, the company received a $2 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a substitute for crude oil based on algae.
The new process combines genetically modified strains of algae with an uncommon approach to growing algae to reduce the cost of making fuel. Rather than growing algae in ponds or enclosed in plastic tubes that are exposed to the sun, as other companies are trying to do, Solazyme grows the organisms in the dark, inside huge stainless-steel containers. The company's researchers feed algae sugar, which the organisms then convert into various types of oil. The oil can be extracted and further processed to make a range of fuels, including diesel and jet fuel, as well as other products.
Will be interesting to see if they can REALLY do it on a mass scale.
My guess would be that the success of this approach will depend on (among other things) the ability to develop an economical and ecofriendly method of producing the sugar that the algae needs.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
I hate to say it but Chevron's involvement would give me more hope for success.
When the big oil companies get involved it opens up greater investment potential, access to logistics expertise and perhaps existing supply lines, a vested interest in success.
I think it's curious that Exxon-Mobil don't seem to be doing anything to leverage their massive profits to develop crude alternatives. BP is constantly trumpeting their 'efforts' towards alternative energy and it looks like Chevron is looking also.
..."Our new-to-us TDI is equipped with a turbocharged 1.9-liter inline-4 that makes peak power at 4,000 rpm and peak torque at 2,000 rpm. Of course, being able to stay in the power band is absolutely essential when your diesel makes only 100 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. (underline & bold, my sic) Being able to choose our own gear with a five-speed manual transmission keeps us from falling asleep while driving. It also helps the TDI achieve an EPA rating of 39 mpg on the highway. In fact, we can report that we've already managed to get 44 mpg on one road trip that featured a lot of freeway mileage.
The VW diesel's 100-hp output might seem low, but we suggest that you compare it to our 2007 Honda Fit. The Honda makes 109 hp, but the engine's torque peaks at 105 lb-ft at a comparatively scorching 4,800 rpm. The VW's engine's 177 lb-ft of torque so low in the rpm range gives the Jetta TDI a seat-of-the-pants thrill. Of course, the test numbers hotly contradict this impression, as this car feels much faster than it really is.
But judging by the results:
..."Current Odometer: 52,829 Best Fuel Economy: 43.8 mpg Worst Fuel Economy: 36.5 mpg Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 40.0 mpg"...
They were not able to convert the (mpg) concept to reality. Lucky the answer is pretty easy once one really understands....a quick search in WWW.TDICLUB.com can provide the answers.
You may be flying in a plane powered by biodiesel before long.
LONDON (Reuters) - Nuts picked from Amazon rainforests helped fuel the world's first commercial airline flight partly powered by renewable energy on Sunday.
A Virgin Atlantic jumbo jet flew from London to Amsterdam with one of its fuel tanks filled with a bio-jet blend including babassu oil and coconut oil. A Virgin Atlantic statement said the biofuel mix provided 25 percent of the fuel for the test flight.
The biofuels blend on the Virgin flight contained 20 percent neat biofuel and 80 percent conventional jet fuel. Virgin founder Richard Branson said tests had shown it was possible to fly with a 40 percent blend.
British billionaire Branson said it was unlikely the nut of the wild growing babassu palm would play a key role as airlines turn to renewable fuel sources to cut the industry's greenhouse gas emissions.
"We did not want to use biofuels such as corn oil which were competing with staple food sources," he said, adding he believed algae produced in places like sewage treatment farms were the most likely future source of renewable fuel for the airline industry.
Indeed, while this might be less newsworthy, the Air Force has a substantial contract for "synthetic" jet fuel.
I was reading in passing (forgot where) that some guy was selling app 50,000 gals of bio diesel made from pigs fat. The sulfur content was certified and independent lab tested @ app 9.8 ppm. As a comparison RUG to PUG is @ 30 ppm., ULSD is at 15 ppm.
Comments
I woulld only look for one thing to your final comment
..."And if a sensor is on a car, the engineers who built it put it on there for a good reason. They are smarter than we are"...
Back up the smartness with the oem warranty (nickel), otherwise, I am in the same corner as Gagrice on this issue.
I seriously doubt that. Engineers add things in to create work for themselves. I have worked with so many engineers that make changes in design with NO improvement in the equipment.
I have to go with the design of the newer Ford Powerstroke diesel engines. They have so many sensors that we were in the shop on a weekly basis for a computer reset. NO Problems just sensors that did not like the cold in the Arctic.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Jetta Sportwagon will be the only diesel hatchback available in the next 12 months - it will be in the $27-30,000 range. Honda diesel will probably be an Acura TSX model year 2010, available late 2009. Check out the new 2009 Vibe, it has a list price of $15,995 and should be arriving at dealers in March or April.
This might not be a direct answer, but I think you owe it to yourself (since you are stepping out a bit to do bio diesel) to get into (research) the (SUB) culture. This would range from #2 diesel truck stops to regional bio diesel, "home brewed" bio diesel (smells like fries) to WVO conversion, AND independent diesel repair, vendors.
This might not be on topic, but I have a 2003 VW Jetta TDI with 102,000 miles, It still has the oem tires, brake pads, rotors, shocks/struts, springs and alignment. I will probably change out the tires @ 110,000 miles (despite indications it is good to go to 125,000 miles) as I am curious about the new set I have waiting on 5 spare rims. I have had the (required) T/B- W/P 100,000 mile interval done. 2 TSB's were completed by the dealer: 1. brake light issue 2. replace rear door pins, plastic to steel.
I am still amazed the local Craigslist has 2003 VW Jetta TDI's for sale for $1,000 more than what I paid new in 2003. Needless to say I have been satisfied at almost EVERY conceivable issue that I had before it was purchased. Depending on conditions, for an EPA rated 42/49 mpg, I can call on a range of mpg 44 to 62 mpg. The truth is you can not tell the difference from the outside, like you could if you were a "hypermiler" in a Prius.
Indeed I should have bought two or more.
If you think you should wait, then wait. If you think you want a new car and really do, then by all means buy.
Actually, the 2006 Jetta TDI is a great cheap diesel car you can buy now!
If VW thinks enough people will buy diesel, then I'm 99.99% sure that we will see a VW Rabbit Diesel with the upcoming 2l (140hp 234lbs ft 40+mpg) engine as well as the Tiguan TDI, Touareg V6 TDI and likely another Passat TDI.
Personally, I dont like toyota anymore. They're more about quantity vs quality. They have sooo many recalled vehicles and their interiors aren't good at all IMO. The Pontiac Vibe is just a Toyota Matrix(Corolla Wagon/Hatch) and fits under the I dont like category.
For that $15k-$17k you mentioned, I'd get a 4door Rabbit or Jetta. Even used from 2006+! The 2005.5 had a few bugs but nothing a trip or two to the dealer wouldn't fix. I have an 06 Jetta 2.5 with package2 saved in my autotrader for about $14k with 23k miles. I would love to buy it in September but I think I'll hold on for a few more years, an accident(knock on wood), or until my accord runs out of steam(The way its slurping anti freeze lately I dont think there will be steam...).
-Cj
MiniJetta...Maybe the "BAR" was raised too high? :surprise:
A Canadian named Thane Heins supposedly has an electric motor that produces more energy than is put in! Just google his name to find out more. We've got some smart guys here that can discuss/explain this.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Japanese oems are having significant issues getting greater market share in European markets. European markets are app the same size as the US markets. Essentially the Europeans see the Japanese oems like we see saw Japanese OEMS- 30-35 years ago. Not close to ready for prime time. Noteworthy is the significantly higher cost (ultimatel cost per mile driven) for European passenger vehicle operation on almost any item you wish to measure, than say in our ( US) market. So logically, sense would dictate any operational cost advantage: increased reliability better mpg (ie lower costs) would skew the odds toward the oems offering THOSE advantages.
I guess this is the USA version of the Europe Honda Accord Diesel?
The redesigned Acura TSX--which will be Honda's first diesel-powered car in the United States--gets a public debut at the New York auto show in March.
The new TSX, which will be a 2009 model, goes on sale this spring, Acura said.
Honda officials said at the Detroit auto show in January that the TSX would be equipped with Honda's new 2.2-liter diesel engine. The car also may be equipped with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine used in the Acura RDX small SUV, according to Automotive News.
The TSX is Acura's second-best-selling car in the U.S. market. Acura sold 33,037 TSXs in 2007, down 13.1 percent from 2006. The TL sedan is Acura's best-selling car in the U.S. market, with sales of 58,545 units in 2007.
The TSX is based on the Honda Accord sold in Europe. A redesigned European Honda Accord will make its debut at the Geneva motor show in early March.
Cleaning up our fuel has made it very attractive, especially with extremely weak value of the dollar vs. euro.
quote-
"The margins on diesel are somewhat lower", acknowledges Mr Zetsche.
"We did not want to burden it with a big price."
It is a strategy that BMW's Mr Krause is loath to copy.
"We don't believe we'll have to give price concessions to be successful with diesels in this market," he declares.
"These guys have good diesels for farm equipment. We're developing high performance diesels for roads."
-end
The BMW vs. Mercedes rivalry is very strong and Mr. Krause is a funny guy.
Passing other vehicles isn't a problem either. The Jetta can hit 0-100 km/h in less than 10 seconds — in line with its gas-powered sibling, which can accomplish the feat in 9.5 seconds.
Yet you'll still get outstanding fuel economy and an impressive driving range with the new Jetta TDI, especially if you're logging a lot of highway time. Expect to get about 1,000 kilometres with a tank of diesel. That spells fewer trips to the gas station — a move your pocketbook will definitely appreciate. Fuel economy is rated at a frugal 6.5 litres/100 km in the city and 5.2 on the highway.
The Touareg TDI won't hit Canadian streets until next year, but the 2009 Jetta TDI sedan and wagon will go on sale in a few months.
The American translations:
1000 km= 621.37 miles
14.5 gal tank/621.37= 42.85 mpg
6.5 litres/100 km in the city and 5.2 on the highway. =36.2 mph/ 45.23 mpg
Let's not start this again...
One more time. KEEP THE HYBRID BASHING TO YOURSELF.
kcram - Pickups Host
My opinion, you of course quoted.
kcram - Pickups Host
'Diesel has a clear cost advantage over hybrid'
MICHAEL BETTENCOURT
February 21, 2008"...
..."The percentage of North American drivers expected to be driving an oil burner in the next 10 years is predicted to hit 17 per cent, more than a five-fold increase over the 3 per cent driving diesels in 2007, according to J.D. Power and Associates' annual global diesel light-vehicle forecast released in January."...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080221.WHDIESEL21/TPStory/Env- - ironment
WHAT is this guy talking about:??????
"It's not an option to pick just one any more," Maher said. "We don't see a monolithic fuel like gasoline will continue."
Is he saying gasoline cars are going to "Go Away?"
What planet is he from? All our great, great grandkids will be dead before gasoline stops being used as a fuel source.
P.S. Still waiting for the first announced U.S. diesel hybrid sedan. That is the car I'm waiting to buy. Impatiently, now.
2. Read the article, before popping the hair trigger. My take is CA/USA are NOT the only players wanting to trump the new 2012 35 mpg standard/s. CN will get there first if CA/USA doesn't match the hot air production with MORE of the passenger vehicle fleet of cars that actually GET 35 mpg. If anything my take is they really want to keep it from happening, even as they pass legislation calling for its implementation. Let me illustrate. In 1971, (37 years ago) I was driving a 1970 VW Beetle that got 30-34 mpg, while most cars might be getting 12-15 mpg? Today the standards are 27 mpg stated but DEFACTO @ 22 mpg. I was three to 7 mpg (better) than the current standard 37 years ago....SO WHAT !!???
3. I am not sure how you came to the conclusion he is saying gasoline cars are going to go away.
4. The truth is out there, but I would assume Planet Canada
5. A good first step, would be a diesel option in models oem's are willing to address the US market with. I would not be for hybrid for hybrids sake. (Lots of technical reasons) So for example if we are mentally blocked at 50 mpg, I'd be for a hybrid (usual boiler plate caveats) for an easy kick to 100 mpg. :shades:
The biggest issue I see is shortages. Katrina was another wakeup call. There were long lines for gas with empty tanks at gas stations throughout the SE to Florida. You could get diesel if you had a diesel vehicle. I want one of each. A diesel vehicle, a gas vehicle and an EV.
BioDiesel from Algae
Solazyme, a startup based in South San Francisco, CA, has developed a new way to convert biomass into fuel using algae, and the method could lead to less expensive biofuels. The company recently demonstrated its algae-based fuel in a diesel car, and in January, it announced a development and testing agreement with Chevron. Late last year, the company received a $2 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a substitute for crude oil based on algae.
The new process combines genetically modified strains of algae with an uncommon approach to growing algae to reduce the cost of making fuel. Rather than growing algae in ponds or enclosed in plastic tubes that are exposed to the sun, as other companies are trying to do, Solazyme grows the organisms in the dark, inside huge stainless-steel containers. The company's researchers feed algae sugar, which the organisms then convert into various types of oil. The oil can be extracted and further processed to make a range of fuels, including diesel and jet fuel, as well as other products.
Will be interesting to see if they can REALLY do it on a mass scale.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
When the big oil companies get involved it opens up greater investment potential, access to logistics expertise and perhaps existing supply lines, a vested interest in success.
I think it's curious that Exxon-Mobil don't seem to be doing anything to leverage their massive profits to develop crude alternatives. BP is constantly trumpeting their 'efforts' towards alternative energy and it looks like Chevron is looking also.
Road Tests Long Term Test: 2005 Volkswagon Jetta GLS TDI
Introduction
By Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant Email
Date posted: 02-11-2008
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=124737
..."Our new-to-us TDI is equipped with a turbocharged 1.9-liter inline-4 that makes peak power at 4,000 rpm and peak torque at 2,000 rpm. Of course, being able to stay in the power band is absolutely essential when your diesel makes only 100 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. (underline & bold, my sic)
Being able to choose our own gear with a five-speed manual transmission keeps us from falling asleep while driving. It also helps the TDI achieve an EPA rating of 39 mpg on the highway. In fact, we can report that we've already managed to get 44 mpg on one road trip that featured a lot of freeway mileage.
The VW diesel's 100-hp output might seem low, but we suggest that you compare it to our 2007 Honda Fit. The Honda makes 109 hp, but the engine's torque peaks at 105 lb-ft at a comparatively scorching 4,800 rpm. The VW's engine's 177 lb-ft of torque so low in the rpm range gives the Jetta TDI a seat-of-the-pants thrill. Of course, the test numbers hotly contradict this impression, as this car feels much faster than it really is.
But judging by the results:
..."Current Odometer: 52,829
Best Fuel Economy: 43.8 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 36.5 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 40.0 mpg"...
They were not able to convert the (mpg) concept to reality. Lucky the answer is pretty easy once one really understands....a quick search in WWW.TDICLUB.com can provide the answers.
LONDON (Reuters) - Nuts picked from Amazon rainforests helped fuel the world's first commercial airline flight partly powered by renewable energy on Sunday.
A Virgin Atlantic jumbo jet flew from London to Amsterdam with one of its fuel tanks filled with a bio-jet blend including babassu oil and coconut oil. A Virgin Atlantic statement said the biofuel mix provided 25 percent of the fuel for the test flight.
The biofuels blend on the Virgin flight contained 20 percent neat biofuel and 80 percent conventional jet fuel. Virgin founder Richard Branson said tests had shown it was possible to fly with a 40 percent blend.
British billionaire Branson said it was unlikely the nut of the wild growing babassu palm would play a key role as airlines turn to renewable fuel sources to cut the industry's greenhouse gas emissions.
"We did not want to use biofuels such as corn oil which were competing with staple food sources," he said, adding he believed algae produced in places like sewage treatment farms were the most likely future source of renewable fuel for the airline industry.
I was reading in passing (forgot where) that some guy was selling app 50,000 gals of bio diesel made from pigs fat. The sulfur content was certified and independent lab tested @ app 9.8 ppm. As a comparison RUG to PUG is @ 30 ppm., ULSD is at 15 ppm.
BMW launches the 335d, a 3 Series equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel inline-6.
By Matt DeLorenzo • Photos by John Lamm
January 2008
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=6343