Diesel Cars

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

DebbySi — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:47:16 GMT

Hands down, the hybrids will be more popular. People are buying these cars like they are as trendy as Starbucks coffee or thick-framed glasses (yes, they've made a comeback).

I suspect the trend is here to stay, and gas guzzling cars like the Jaguar XKE, whether they are diesel or not, will be a dying breed.

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

baffledu2 — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:37:48 GMT

If (IF) this great nation gets smart and desperate enough in ten years there won't by either a hybrid (gas or diesel + electric) or a pure diesel vehicle on the road. Hybrids are only a way to stretch oil and diesel is oil. Plug-ins will only increase the 20% of nat gas we already import. The hydrogen economy is coming and is the only true viable solution to energy independence and cleaner air that can replace 100% of oil fuels, totally eliminate transport pollutants, and can be a wholly domestic industry.

No other fad fix, cobbled togeather method solves the original problem.

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

green-dieselist — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:25:35 GMT

GreenLantern, good point. Diesel is easier to produce, and costs less to manufacture. Even if people are turned off at the price tag on diesel, they should look at the fact that in most places diesel is approximately 20 cents more per gallon. And most diesel cars such as the jetta tdi get almost 41mpg vs their gas sisters at 29mpg. That's only 70% as efficient as the diesel engine. So, pay 5% more per gallong and get a 30% increase in mileage. Hmmmm.. Auto manufacturers need to start helping people do the math. :-)

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

green-dieselist — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:16:43 GMT

I truly think that green diesel is the way to go. With Newzealand now producing in mass their green crude from waste water plants, I think there is a new era coming to fruition. We too have this technology, if only the US government would spend money on the research. I have actually just returned from europe where my rental car was a very spacious mid sized sedan made by peugeot (peugeot 407). It was amazing that during my trip of over 5000 km I was able to get over 17 km/liter That's approximately 44mpg. Even the asthetically unpleasing miniature versions of what we can call an eco-car hybrid barely reach that with a driver taking every caution to maximize output. Most of my trip was spent hurdling down the autobahn at 170-190km/h (approx. 105-120mph). I don't think that any US automotive company can top that. That and the fact that our manufacturers GM, crystler, etc all make similar versions of american cars for the European consumer that absolutely kill our fuel economy standards. Why won't they sell these cars in the US? Should we start a business of re-importing them for US consumer use.

Note: Vauxhall and Opel are GM product lines for the EU, and the EU versions of Volkswagen kill the fuel economy of most US vehicles of the same model. Amazing how this works.

Here's a link from the UK for our comparison.. http://www.whatdiesel.co.uk

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

RicanBeetle — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:52:10 GMT

Why isn't there diesel-electric hybrids? Diesel-Electric vehicles combine the efficiency of a hybrid with a commonly available high energy content basic fuel, diesel. Yes diesel is more expensive than gasoline, but in miles per dollar spent, diesel is still a cheaper alternative to gasoline. Just look at the MPG rating of most straight diesel powered cars like my 2 diesel VW Beetles. There is a reason why train companies converted to diesel-electric power for their locomotives many decades ago. To keep their fuel costs as low as possible in a highly competitive market their locomotives became the first hybrids. Diesel-electric not gasoline-electric. I just don't understand why a diesel-electric hybrid car hasn't appeared, yet.

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

KBB ANALYST — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:59:53 GMT

Diesel vehicles have softened a bit in the market due to rising prices. Consumers need to be aware of the models available to them, and the dramatic increase in fuel mileage compared to conventional gas cars. Take a test drive!!

Aside from pickup trucks, our only exposure to diesel vehicles is someone who's 1984 Mercedes 300D with 350k miles on it, that hasn't been put out to pasture. We see it holding up the fast lane as it smokes it's way down the freeway beltching out plumes of black smoke....or burnt french fries.

Honestly, most drivers are not car savy....They have no idea if they have been behind a 2008 Mercedes Bluetec diesel, a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD, a VW Beetle TDI etc. The general public has no idea that they could be potential consumers of a fuel efficient diesel. Vehicles are seen as a Mercedes, Beetle or Jeep. Being that the diesel vehicles now a days blend with all of the other vehicles on the road, consumers will not even think twice unless the manufacturers market their products. Very little emissions...no slowing down for steep grades....consumers will not even notice unless manufacturers place rather bold badging on the vehicles to engage talk amongst owners and potential consumers. It's working for Toyota and Ford.

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

me@you — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:28:31 GMT

You forgot the Solar Panels

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

A Hacker — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:27:11 GMT

Hybird Bio-Diesel with plug-in capability.

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

jay campbell — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:49:37 GMT

Totally agree that diesel has a bad rap in the American collective psyche, connoting thick blue-black smoke, a racket of engine noise and the pickup of a moped. This is, as many know, no longer true. Overcoming these perceptions won't be easy, but the good news is that some of the strongest brands are working on it. If anyone can pull it off...

Check out: http://www.kbb.com/kbb/green-cars/articles.aspx?BlogPostId=354

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

Volt Dreamer — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:05:08 GMT

I think that diesel needs to be reborn in the American lexicon. Diesel right now conjures up images of old german diesels from the 70's and 80's that were loud, smelly and usually had a trail of visible exhaust behind them. Manufacturers need to launch campaigns to combat and reform American opinions of diesels. The media will take whatever is given to them and regurgetate what's getting the most buzz. If manufacturers create a buzz, the media will pick it up and diesel could become the latest fad (as if it hasn't been around all this time).

I think VW, Benz and BMW need to step it up and start working on changing the American car-buying public's minds. Otherwise diesels will remain hard to find cars that are relegated only to the coasts.

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

DONTBNS — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:22:27 GMT

Maybe the bio-diesel should be an additional thread. how about bio-diesel vs. diesel??

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

DONTBNS — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:20:54 GMT

Although i will say that the media does report on bio-diesel.

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

LuvMyNewCar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:57:16 GMT

Very smart observation, DONTBNS. Well said!

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

DONTBNS — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:39:13 GMT

I think the media will determine the final outcome. all they talk about is hybrid so thats all people know, watch what happens if you get the media talking about diesel.

Re: Diesel or hybrid?

GreenLantern — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:40:50 GMT

Some great diesel cars are coming up in the race like the VW jetta TD. I think that they will have a great shot at making a new mark in the industry if we can get the price of Diesel fuel down where it belongs. Question, does anyone know why diesel fuel cost more that gasoline? It comes from the bottom of the barrel and cost less to refine.