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The VolkswagenPolo -- a vehicle unavailable in the United States -- was named World Car of the Year today. The announcement at the 2010 New York International Auto Show comes at a time when car makers are shifting their emphasis to small, fuel-efficient cars.
I remember reading, a couple years ago, about the TDI versions of the VW Polo and Lupo. Both were extensively road tested in (I think) Australia.
One got 77 mpg, the other got over 90 mpg.
So why does the US Government allow The Smart Car to be sold here, but not the VW Lupo and Polo? If our government was serious about economy and the environment, these cars would be driving on American roads.
Who said it was the US govt preventing these cars from being imported? None among BMW, Mercedes and Audi/VW bring over their most efficient (and smallest) engines here.
Neither do Ford (of Europe) and Opel/Vauxhall (GM) who sell plenty similar 1.2-2.0 liter diesels over there.
Among the German brands this is partly to preserve their carefully crafted upmarket image over here. But in general there's no conviction that these will sell in enough nbers to justify the expense of certifying these cars. Before the 07-08 gas spike, there were virtually no diesels sold here, because no one wanted them. Fit and Fiesta sized cars weren't sold here either. If the golf tdi sells well enough, you might see the polo tdi here.
Those diesels are amongst the cleanest in the business.
I do find it an odd that BMW and Mercedes don't bring their efficient diesels over, getting a model certified costs less than Mercedes spend on development in one day, so I doubt that's what's stopping them.
Those diesels are amongst the cleanest in the business.
I do find it an odd that BMW and Mercedes don't bring their efficient diesels over, getting a model certified costs less than Mercedes spend on development in one day, so I doubt that's what's stopping them.
1. doesn't Mercedes make the Smart car?
2. Does the european version of the Smart car come with the Mercedes diesel?
3. If yes, why the heck didn't they bring it here?
1. doesn't Mercedes make the Smart car?
2. Does the european version of the Smart car come with the Mercedes diesel?
3. If yes, why the heck didn't they bring it here?
They do make it, I don't think it comes with a diesel, and frankly, I don't think anyone buys it anymore, so it wouldn't be relevant.
They do have some fairly good diesels though, and BMW have some that are even better, 2.0L 170hp, and amazing fuel economy, I have no idea why it wouldn't sell in the US.
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