Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion

[bigu]

QUOTE

Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion, the second generation of this trendsetter, with a combined fuel consumption of just 3.3 litres diesel (equivalent to 87 g/km CO2!) per 100 kilometres, is aiming to become the "3-litre fuel economy car" of the modern era and the most economical five-seater in the world. Its 45 litre fuel tank enables a theoretical driving range of 1,363 kilometres! This makes the commute to work, driving holiday or long weekend affordable again. A person driving from Hanover - the site of the press presentation for the new Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion - to Venice can cover the 1,148 kilometre journey for just 40 Euros in fuel costs. That is because 100 kilometres cost just 3.50 Euros in the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion. Another measure of cost effectiveness: according to the German Federal Bureau of Statistics, the average German car driver covers a total of 11,000 kilometres per year. For VW Polo BlueMotion owners this means that they only require eight fill-ups per year at a fuel cost of 385 Euros.

"BlueMotion" is the best known German automotive environmental label. It debuted in 2006 with the first generation of the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion, and its combined fuel con sumption figure of just 3.9 litres per 100 kilometres was the best in the world for a five-seat car. At the same time, this Volkswagen Polo represented the beginning of a product offensive being conducted today under the "BlueMotion-Technologies" umbrella brand, which is as unique as it is successful.[/b]

[LapisLazuli6]

I would totally pick that over a Yaris!

[jd42]

QUOTE (LapisLazuli6 @ Oct 27 2009, 01:21 PM)

I would totally pick that over a Yaris![/b]

Me too.

Unfortunately, most overseas diesel offerings never come to North America. Too bad so many people in the U.S. think that diesels are evil and kill babies. Although, with the low sulfur diesel fuel now on the market here, perhaps less people will be all up in arms over "emissions".

[LapisLazuli6]

QUOTE (jd42 @ Oct 27 2009, 01:32 PM)

Me too.

Unfortunately, most overseas diesel offerings never come to North America. Too bad so many people in the U.S. think that diesels are evil and kill babies. Although, with the low sulfur diesel fuel now on the market here, perhaps less people will be all up in arms over "emissions".[/b]

IMO alot of it stems from ppl not driving diesels correctly, as well as their starting issues in the winter in colder climates. It doesn't help that diesel fuel is more expensive than comparable gasoline either.

[jd42]

QUOTE (LapisLazuli6 @ Oct 27 2009, 02:11 PM)

... as well as their starting issues in the winter in colder climates.[/b]

Modern diesels aren't any more difficult to start in the cold than gasoline engines. My father's diesel tractor always starts by the 3rd crank in even sub-zero weather.

QUOTE (LapisLazuli6 @ Oct 27 2009, 02:11 PM)

It doesn't help that diesel fuel is more expensive than comparable gasoline either.[/b]

With some exceptions over the last couple of years when all fuel prices were wildly fluctuating, diesel generally runs around the same as mid-grade or premium gasoline. An additional 20 or 30 cents per gallon (versus regular gas) is still a net savings when you are getting 50+ mpg. If this Polo can achieve VW's claim of 70mpg, the fuel cost savings are a no-brainer.

[GoBackToSleep]

I would easily choose this car over our American offerings in terms of fuel-efficiency. It's a shame that most people in the United States don't even know how to drive a proper car in the first place. We're stuck with pointless hybrids like the Toyota Prius and excessively bland subcompacts. Diesel-powered cars pretty much achieve the fuel-efficiency of a hybrid, and, some even have much better performance numbers and so forth. A Toyota Prius, for example, starts off its boredom quest with a CVT transmission and it's then contrasted by its obnoxious exterior design. Then, Toyota throws in a small four-cylinder motor and combines it with an electric motor which will obviously increase weight and affect peak fuel-efficiency in itself. Under the back-seat lies a gargantuan battery weighing several hundred pounds and it happens to only last for about five years or so. Replacement is costly. All in all, you have yourself an overweight, underpowered piece of trash.

I rambled a bit, but, I can safely say I'm a strong proponent of diesel energy in terms of achieving a desired fuel-efficiency. Hybrids are an engineering nightmare.

[jd42]

QUOTE (GoBackToSleep @ Oct 27 2009, 04:38 PM)

All in all, you have yourself an overweight, underpowered piece of trash.[/b]

I agree. I think the concept of converting braking energy into useful electricity rather than waste heat is great. The problem is doing so without all sorts of complexity, weight, and expensive-to-replace components. I keep hearing about Prius models failing to achieve the high mileage targets Toyota claims they can. Only when hybrids can match the real-world fuel economy, performance, and long-term maintenance costs of diesels will I become interested.

QUOTE (GoBackToSleep @ Oct 27 2009, 04:38 PM)

I rambled a bit, but, I can safely say I'm a strong proponent of diesel energy in terms of achieving a desired fuel-efficiency.[/b]

Diesels are a perfect match for forced induction, which means nice potential performance gains without significant fuel economy sacrifices.

I still think renewable bio-diesel production is the way to go on this continent. Take all those farmers being paid by the federal government not to grow certain crops, and pay them to grow soybeans or other high-energy plants. North America has some of the best farmland in the world. Let's buy renewable fuel from ourselves rather than giving our money to people in the Middle East that hate us.

[LapisLazuli6]

I work for a fleet company, we have a ton of Prius' in our fleets. They are EXPENSIVE to repair when they're involved in accidents. I don't think I've had an estimate under $5k for any of them that was more than a parking lot bump.

Diesel engines also are durability tested to 1 million miles, without the complexity of the Prius and other hybrids. They also have more power than these vehicles.

So far as cold starting, diesels don't heat up as quickly, so their heaters will take a bit longer to heat up vs. a comparable gasoline engine. In addition, you have to know how to start them and wait for the glow plugs to warm up, you can't just crank and crank them like a gas engine or you will kill the battery. Our roadside assistance division sends PLENTY of jump starts out to our diesel trucks because of this...

[jd42]

QUOTE (LapisLazuli6 @ Oct 28 2009, 11:27 AM)

Diesel engines also are durability tested to 1 million miles, without the complexity of the Prius and other hybrids. They also have more power than these vehicles.[/b]

Some well-maintained long-haul trucks achieve a lot more than 1 million miles of service. And you are right that as far as torque is concerned, diesels are king!

QUOTE (LapisLazuli6 @ Oct 28 2009, 11:27 AM)

In addition, you have to know how to start them and wait for the glow plugs to warm up, you can't just crank and crank them like a gas engine or you will kill the battery.[/b]

The tractor I mentioned above calls for switching on the glow plugs for 15~20 seconds when cold. Absolutely perfect starting every time. This is more an issue getting people to read the frickin' owner's manuals, which is a lot harder than it seems. (Just look at how many posts we get regarding power windows not working after a battery disconnection.)

[LapisLazuli6]

QUOTE (jd42 @ Oct 28 2009, 11:39 AM)

The tractor I mentioned above calls for switching on the glow plugs for 15~20 seconds when cold. Absolutely perfect starting every time. This is more an issue getting people to read the frickin' owner's manuals, which is a lot harder than it seems. (Just look at how many posts we get regarding power windows not working after a battery disconnection.)[/b]

But the point I'm trying to make is the smell, the cold starting, and the pollution are 3 reasons I think Americans don't give diesels a chance. They also don't have that 'snap' like gasoline engines do. You don't get anything by revving a diesel engine over 3k rpm DUH! But your average American driver doesn't know that.