Posted on 04/24/2006 7:15:44 PM PDT by TWohlford
This magazine marked the 20th anniversary of Earth Day in 1990 by exploring “future” technologies.
[snip]
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI 7.0 gallons of B20 biodiesel at $2.749 49.9 mpg vs. EPA highway rating of 42 mpg
Our fuel station was offering up B20 biodiesel, 20 percent veggie oil, which means that from an environmentalist’s perspective the German diesel didn’t just beat the Japanese hybrids, it trounced them. Not only that, it had more than half of its 14.5-gallon tank left at the end—it could have made the same trip again without refueling! Our example was pretty much a stripper, absent even the usual VW trip computer, so we had no instant feedback loop on our performance. Maybe if we’d had that, we could have nudged the economy from 49.9 mpg into the 50-mpg range.
[snip]
At about 11 seconds to 60 mph, the Jetta’s published road-test numbers are not as good as the Prius’ (around 10 seconds, thanks to massive electric motor torque at 0 rpm), but at highway speeds its 177 lb-ft at 1800 rpm and 100 hp at 4000 rpm feel stronger than the Toyota and smoother than the Honda. The diesel spins harder than the Vette at 80 mph, running at 2500 rpm or so, but still it is a long-legged German car with autobahn-able credentials.
For comfort, quiet and highway handling, our drivers found the TDI had significant advantages over every other car in the test. It would have been our choice, in other words, for an easy daytrip on the interstates, regardless of fuel economy. And we topped the hybrids by driving with just a little attention to fuel economy, not making it an obsession.
(Excerpt) Read more at autoweek.com ...
In addition, the expense of replacing the batteries (around $7000 right now) at some point in the future (100,000 miles?) means that the car will hit the scrap heap much quicker than its diesel-powered cousins. What are the environmental costs of a car that lasts 1/4 of the diesel?
I find it funny that "DUH!!!!" no one has matched a diesel (or turbo-diesel) internal combustion engine to a hybrid electric chassis.
Imagine a VW TDI-hybrid. 50+ MPG driven smartly.
11 seconds to 60??? Wake me when we get there...
If that's what cars are coming to, I'm going to chuck it all and get a chauffeur. If something's that lame, I should be in the back of it watching TV while someone else drives it. :p
Feh. My Fast doesn't like the smell of diesel exhaust.
I would get a VW Jetta except for one thing... its a GAY car.
OK... < /sarc >
A good review from here:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/content/1132766537744749322/index.php
Volkswagen Jetta TDI
23 November 2005
By Vinny Minchillo
For years, Volkswagen’s diesels were like cod liver oil: a worthy medicine that few American consumers could stomach. The stripped-down oil-burners hidden in the back of US forecourts seemed specifically designed for penny-pinching college professors and health food store managers. Customers who considered engine clatter, black smoke and lack of comforts (creature or otherwise) a badge of honor. When $3-a-gallon gas arrived stateside, hordes of “normal” customers suddenly joined the Euro-throngs clamoring for their daily dose of diesel. And no example was-- is-- more sought after than the VW Jetta TDI.
Obviously, the new Jetta TDI wears the same sheet metal as its petrol-powered sibling. In other words, it’s about as exciting as an all-nude Alan Greenspan revue...From the rear, the Jetta has a Jennifer Lopez thing going on. You can get a lot of junk in the trunk, but Ms. Lopez’s rear end looks better on her than a small sedan. While the new Jetta is to cutting edge car design what giraffes are to jazz, you can’t fault VW for erring on the side of conservatism; it’s what they do.
They also do interiors. The Jetta TDI's cabin is first in class, boasting build quality that redefines Toyota's Corolla as the place where budget-minded drivers have to sit for an automotive time-out...the shift knob encourages the kind of over-fondling that’s illegal in several states, and the stereo controls are space shuttle cool but Playskool easy. Diesel and destitute may never again join hands.
Once upon a time, starting a diesel engine involved holding a plastic lever until a glow-plug indicated that the powerplant was… finally… ready… to… fire. These days, it’s twist and go. Gone too are the plumes of black smoke that coughed from the tailpipe, and back bumpers that look like they been left dangling in a chimney for days. The TDI is as practical and clean as any gas engine you can name-- save those pesky particulates.
Once underway, the TDI displays a slight shudder–- a kind of subwoofer shake-- when driven under 1500 rpm in first and second gears. Once you crest 20 miles per hour, the TDI’s direct injection, turbocharged powerplant produces a wave of torque smooth enough to charm a Prius owner right out of his/her/its hemp shirt. Sloth is the only other indication you’re not having a gas. The Jetta TDI shuffles from zero to 60mph in just over 11 seconds. While the TDI’s go-times are an improvement over the old non-turbo units, you still need to be careful which minivan you take on at the stoplight drags. (Hint: go for the one with the full soccer team and the Mom on the cell.)
The payoff for the TDI’s piss-poor forward progress is, of course, high mileage and legendary engine life. We saw 40 mpg with more than a little city driving thrown into the mix. Owners of previous VW diesels take great joy in reporting (and re-reporting) an engine life span that exceeds their upholstery’s presentability, or 200,000 miles, whichever comes last...
Dealers report that the Jetta TDI is selling as fast as Toyota’s Prius AND going for sticker. It’s enough to bring the Jetta TDI to the front of the forecourt, and finally give all those impoverished college professors and alfalfa eaters a plausible reason why they didn’t buy a pricey hybrid.
As for Mr Rogers - I prefer 30 mpg in my Miata - with the roof down in sunny Arizona.
0-60 is slow but on the highway, the 177 ft-lb at 1800 makes it like having a 3.0L gas engine. It just squirts into the holes in the flow without a downshift. Blasts up hills too. It's more fun to drive than the specs show. It's a diesel so it runs out of revs fast, but on the highway it's surprising. Go drive one and see for yourself.
Try starting that pig when it's -30f.
I noticed the same issue in comparisons between hybrids and non-hybrids.
They would compare a hybrid Accord against a v-6, which have the greatest difference in gas mileage (although more similar in performance). But really, when you're looking at gas mileage as the comparison, it would be more accurate to compare the hybrid at 30k to a reasonable equipped 4 banger accord at 2/3 the price.
If it's that close to -40, one should just stay by the fire.
I bought my parents one last summer. They live in Western NY - You know, blizzards, -40F type weather in the winter.
Starts every time, very little preheating, no block heater.
I think it has a fuel preheater in the filter. My dad knows enough that when it gets really cold to use an anti-gel additive. Could be because he has ~ 5 diesel tractors and trucks.
Just tiny little one liter 3 cylinder internal combustion engine.
If my current vehicle dies, I will seriously consider a TDI Jetta. The problem of what to do with dead hybrid batteries is a real turnoff.
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