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Diesels in the News

8133 messages,  Last post on Nov 09, 2009 at 9:32 AM

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#6938 of 8133
Re: Uh-Oh [ruking1] by kdhspyder
Sep 25, 2008 (2:18 pm)
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Replying to: ruking1 (Sep 25, 2008 1:31 pm)

Essentially the diesel Tundra was going to be debuted at the end of 2009 or 2010. It was all but finished in development and the space was set aside in San Antonio to build the vehicle.
 
It's now on hold indefinitely.
 
The A-BAT (code name) unibody truck will get the attention and the development monies if the sourcing quotes make sense. If fuel continues the way its going Toyota's view then there may be no rebound in BOF trucks.
 
We were wined and dined, but only after listening to a parade of top scientists and researchers tell us, in unsparing detail, how the planet is running out of oil and water; how the biofuels we look to as potential replacements for oil aren't worth the power and water it takes to make 'em, and how we now are consuming 40 percent more resources each year than the planet can sustain.
 
A new smaller highly-fuel-efficient I4 gasser with a hybrid option may gain more sales ( profits ) than pursuing a more efficient huge BOF monster.
#6939 of 8133
Re: Uh-Oh [kdhspyder] by larsb
Sep 25, 2008 (2:25 pm)
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Sep 25, 2008 2:18 pm)

There will ALWAYS be a market for powerful heavy duty diesel work trucks and duallies.
 
Toyota ought to just get them one or two heavy duty diesel Tundras and leave the gasser trucks to other folks.
#6940 of 8133
Re: Prius loses again [kdhspyder] by ruking1
Sep 25, 2008 (2:27 pm)
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Sep 25, 2008 2:05 pm)

In many respects the Prius/Jetta TDI is an apples to oranges comparison. This is NOT to say a comparo can not be made!
 
Indeed for example, the closer comparos would be Jettas TDI/gasser . Civic gasser/hybrid/TDI. Prius' gasser/hybrid. . Toyota has wisely stayed away from Prius' direct gasser/hybrid comparo's as the premium is really not worth the so called "advantages".
 
So for example between a Toyota Corolla TDI/gasser- a no brainer is the TDI! Civic gasser/hybrid comparos, history says the Civic Hybrid BOMBED !!! This is despite the fact it is a very good hybrid! and car. Lots of reasons, but the major one is Civic had a gasser to compare it against. Prius as I have indicated did/does NOT.
 
Given your 30,000 to 50,000 miles per year would you rather get 38 mpg or 56 mpg with a (1,000) premium ? The BE is easily less than the first year (given your mileage) It is 1,316 gals vs 893 gals= 423 gals x 4=$1,692.
 
The 03 Jetta TDI premium over the 1.8T was $246. as I remembered. The fuel mileage was 50 mpg vs 30 mpg. Over 25,000 miles for 4 years consumption was 1000 gals vs 3333 gals. I would guess in your cost effectiveness thinking, burning 3333 gals when 2,000 gals will do; makes economic sense. To boot the 1.8T requires premium.
#6941 of 8133
Re: Prius loses again [ruking1] by larsb
Sep 25, 2008 (2:46 pm)
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Replying to: ruking1 (Sep 25, 2008 2:27 pm)

Actually, it's a very useful comparison.
 
It's comparing the "highest mileage diesel 5-passenger sedan" to the "highest mileage hybrid 5-passenger sedan" and in that regard, it is right on the money to compare them.
#6942 of 8133
Re: Prius loses again [larsb] by ruking1
Sep 25, 2008 (2:51 pm)
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Replying to: larsb (Sep 25, 2008 2:46 pm)

It again gets back to what I have been saying all along: that the highest mileage diesels are not let into the country. Digging deeper into the background of the gen IV (03 Jetta TDI) world Jetta TDI's got 52 mpg vs the 50 mph we get on a daily basis. The world Jetta comes with a 6 speed manual vs a 5 speed manual and bigger injectors! ? How oxymoronic is that? As good as 50 mpg is, math indicates 52 is better!!? (4%) This is also true about the highest mileage gassers !!! A gasser for example is the 40 mpg so called "Smart Car"!? This has been available in the world markets for a while. If high fuel prices and so called less dependency on foreign oil is a real priority, why didnt it hit the US markets as soon as it hit the worlds? Now it really has not much appeal to me, but at the same time its meager 40 mpg is a BIG improvement over the 27 mpg standard, defacto 22 mpg and beats by 5 mpg the 2012 35 mpg standard.
 
As an aside, the Honda Civic gasser gets 38-42 mpg and holds 4/5 folks. I'd be ungrateful if I didn't say I was happy with it. But I got to tell you, I would be tickled pink with a Honda Civic TDI with 52-56 mpg!
#6943 of 8133
Re: Prius loses again [ruking1] by kdhspyder
Sep 25, 2008 (3:52 pm)
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Replying to: ruking1 (Sep 25, 2008 2:27 pm)

The non-hybrid Prius is the Corolla Matrix/Pontiac Vibe. With the same equipment the two are exactly $4000 apart in price. That's not unintentional. $20300 vs $24300. Both are 4 cyl 5 door hatchback with similar room and similar performance. A subject for a different forum however.
 
In the comparo between the Civic gasser and the Civic hybrid - with similar equipment - the hybrid wins easily... but that's a subject for a different forum.
 
Now looking at the Jetta TDI vs Civic gasser vs Corolla gasser, sedans all? That huge differential in the price of the diesel vehicle and the higher price of the fuel requires a lot of driving annually. I probably do drive that much so the TDI may be more cost effective. Let's see.
 
Using 'reported' results rather than the more conservative EPA values
2009 Corolla 39 Hwy
2008 Civic 38 Hwy
2009 Jetta TDI 43 Hwy ( 40 Edmunds / 45 PopMech )
 
Fuel usage/Cost based on 36000 miles annually
2009 Corolla..925 gal RUG 3.40......$3145
2008 Civic.....950 gal RUG 3.40......$3230
2009 TDI.......835 gal DF 3.90.........$3250
These all seem about equal since it's 36000 mi/yr. It's a nominal difference.
 
The only difference then would be in the prices of the underlying vehicles and the relative resale values. However these are three of the best vehicles for holding value.
 
Again it looks like a tossup based solely on preference not money.
#6944 of 8133
Re: Prius loses again [kdhspyder] by ruking1
Sep 25, 2008 (3:59 pm)
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Sep 25, 2008 3:52 pm)

..."Again it looks like a tossup based solely on preference not money. "...
 
One one level I do agree with this take, but on the other hand it is hard to realize your preference/s when the preference/s is/are hardly available. Again I cite 3% diesel passenger vehicle fleet. The majority of those diesels are on platforms that I do not have a current use for. Another is why do I really want to get a MB 320 TDI when what I really NEED a Civic TDI for everyday commuting? Or why do you want to commute in a FORD F250 when a Ford Fiesta does just fine solely because both are gassers? You would think it so preposterous if it were a a choice between a gasser MB 320 and a Civic !
 
And thanks for further illustrating my point about the so called "Prius" gasser only equivalents. Toyota really downplays the reality in this. So yes, my Prius alternative is the Civic. While it is true I do not routinely get 45 mpg in the Civic (as the Prius) , it does get 38-42 and costs app 13,000 LESS.
#6945 of 8133
Re: Prius loses again [kdhspyder] by 104wb
Sep 25, 2008 (5:45 pm)
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Sep 25, 2008 3:52 pm)

Mmmm. I couldn't go with the Corolla or Civic. TFC/IW isn't high enough on those two, so I don't fulfill my personal obligation to be fuel efficient. TFC/IW is a measure of efficiency, unlike 'mpg'.
 
2009 Corolla, 2745# + 300# test weight = 3045# likewise,
2008 Civic, 2630+300=2930#
2009 TDI, 3230+300=3530#
2009 Prius 2932+300 = 3232#
 
2009 Corolla, TFC/IW = 1/(39*3045)= 0.842e-5 gal/mi/pound
2008 Civic, TFC/IW = 1/(38*2930)= 0.898e-5 gal/mi/pound
2009 TDI, TFC/IW = 1/(43*3530)= 0.659e-5 gal/mi/pound
2009 Prius TFC/IW = 1/(44*3232)= 0.703e-5 gal/mi/pound
 
Smaller number is better. TDI and Prius are really the same efficiency since there is 10% more energy in diesel fuel. Factor that out, they're the same. The gassers need 20-28% (call it 25%) more fuel energy to do the same amount of work as the diesel and the hybrid. Inefficient. Hey, I have a furnace with 92% heat-to-energy efficiency, and compact flourescent bulbs that are four times as efficient at converting energy to light as incandescent, why should I not also be concerned with the work-to-energy efficiency of my vehicle? 25% is a big difference. Civic and Corolla are out of consideration.
#6946 of 8133
Re: Prius loses again [104wb] by cdnpinhead
Sep 26, 2008 (4:49 am)
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Replying to: 104wb (Sep 25, 2008 5:45 pm)

I have clearly been out-pinheaded. Wow, I had no idea.
 
Looks like the hot ticket is to drive a fully-loaded class 8 truck (80,000 lbs) that gets 7 mpg. That'd be roughly 3.7 times better than the TDI.
 
Next stop -- freight trains.
#6947 of 8133
Re: Prius loses again [ruking1] by kdhspyder
Sep 26, 2008 (5:19 am)
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Replying to: ruking1 (Sep 25, 2008 3:59 pm)

I ruled out all the compact sedans. The Corolla, Civic, Jetta, TDI, Mazda3, et al were all too small; i.e. they did not offer enough utility and fuel economy.
 
At that time I looked only at the hatchbacks. Under similar circumstances today only the Prius and the SportWagon would be under consideration.
 
However being basically cheap in regards to transportation if I was in the market today I'd look first to find a good USED hatchback like a $14000 - $15000 Prius for the best combo of utility and fuel economy.

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