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Yeah, I really don't get the whole hybrid thing.... like mentioned...just get a TDI Jetta.... 40+ Mpg...and you don't have to worry about batteries. I really don't think lots of Americans don't know small diesel cars get great gas mileage...granted it diesel costs a lil more...but the efficiency can offset that.
I appreciate the hybrid concept of recapturing braking energy that would otherwise simply be wasted as heat energy and then releasing it as motion energy, but I don't think the hybrid is long for this world as the way to accomplish that task. Right now GM is close to market-testing a mechanical hydraulic setup that performs the same basic function. Another benefit to the hybrid is engine shutoff while idle. BMW is close to bringing an auto-shutoff and restart system to a conventional non-hybrid driveline courtesy of a trick flywheel. Hybrids are just way too complex, plus they pose environmental issues of their own, such as the extra energy needed to mine the rare metals used in their construction and what to do with all those hugely toxic battery packs once they've reached the end of their life cycle.
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Originally Posted by 8 SNAKE
Yep, you can get the diesel in the Jetta, Passat, Bug and Toureg (maybe more models, too). VW stopped importing the TDI Toureg for a bit, but it's back now.
Not anymore, except on the used-car market. VW couldn't figure out a cost-effective method to make their diesels meet the new passenger-car emissions standards. So no more diesel cars from VW in the States until they sort that out, which they say will be by next spring. Right now the only company selling diesel cars in the U.S. is Mercedes, courtesy of their Blutec engine.
We bought a 2007 accord hybrid just a week before it was announced that they were to be discontinued due to lack of sales. It is a fine car, luxuriously appointed with leather and wood trim, 6 disc cd and more. The engine is the standard 3.0 V6 with an electric motor to assist with horse power and mpg's. It has 263 horses, goes from zero to sixty in 6.2 seconds, has variable cylinder shutoff and gets 28 city and a supposed tops of 38 highway. So far we have got close to the 28 city and yet to take it on a really long highway drive to test the highway mpg's. It is amazingly fast, comfortable and smooth, extremely quiet and is an ATPZEV ( advanced technology partial zero emmissions vehicle ) it uses regenerative braking and a similar technology with the transmission to recharge the batteries that power the electric assist motor. It is Hondas highest priced sedan and the most luxurious of the accords. We will get half the amount paid over the standard top of the line accord back in a tax deduction and we figured that the difference was worth it for the extra horse power, appointments and that it is an almost zero polluter. Everything we wanted in one package and who knows maybe a collectors item in the future.
My dads prius averaged 48,and his camry hybrid got 44.we figured that it really wasnt worth it for the extra cost.i would check out a yaris with the cvt,my nephew gets 40 or so.curious i didnt think you could get vw diesels in the usa?the prius really did work good and had no problems,very fast actually.
I drive a VW diesel. I bought it in MN. 53 mpg last tank of fuel. Simple engine, long vehicle life, and no 6K battery to replace. Don't understand the hype about hybrids.
I'm not sure I'd call any turbocharged engine "simple." Nor one that implements direct injection of precisely metered quantities of fuel at 20,000 psi. There's been a whole lot of R&D and sophisticated tweaks to make that "simple" engine practical and reliable for everyday use without it being an absolutely filthy pollutant-belching machine.
Not anymore, except on the used-car market. VW couldn't figure out a cost-effective method to make their diesels meet the new passenger-car emissions standards. So no more diesel cars from VW in the States until they sort that out, which they say will be by next spring. Right now the only company selling diesel cars in the U.S. is Mercedes, courtesy of their Blutec engine.
You are correct. Thank you for the info, I did not realized that VW had suspended diesels in the US.
I'm not sure I'd call any turbocharged engine "simple." Nor one that implements direct injection of precisely metered quantities of fuel at 20,000 psi. There's been a whole lot of R&D and sophisticated tweaks to make that "simple" engine practical and reliable for everyday use without it being an absolutely filthy pollutant-belching machine.
You know that filthy diesel technology was good enough to deliver your gallon of milk to the supermarket Maybe they can find some way to make a hybrid semi truck that can haul 50,000 lbs...
If there is ONE thing I like about hybrids...all of the hype is forcing car manufactures to look at higher efficiency power plants. They can't ignore it anymore. Which is a good thing. So hey...looks like hybrids are a step in the right direction.
Now if every compact car could get a diesel that is pushing 50mpg+...hey that would be nice to
I am fairly sure they don't make a diesels anymore to send to the US. Our govt says they can't (just when gas prices hit their highest - conspiracy/coincidence?). They should have the new diesel in the jetta only in 2008 - no word on a tdi rabbit yet alas - they are anxiously awaited.
We bought the final year passat diesel and love it.
BUT they are going to come out with some honda, and toyota and nissan diesel engines I guess.
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Maybe they can find some way to make a hybrid semi truck that can haul 50,000 lbs...
