It's official, the Prius is bad for the environment........(c=

[IcePickFreak]

And have large, roomy cars.

I'm sure if I brought my "large" Fusion over to Europe with it's gas-guzzling, 26 MPG, 3.0L, 221 HP V6, I'd get laughed at. Similarly, if someone from Europe brought over their tiny <insert car name here> with it's fuel-sipping, 38 MPG, 1.0L, 82 HP I4 (all stats made up), it'd get laughed at too.

We tend to like larger cars that go relatively fast and get mediocre fuel economy. They tend to like smaller cars where the goal is MPG, not acceleration.

What's the last time you were "stuck" behind someone accelerating somewhat slow from a stop light and got irritated? I know I do it all the time, and it's because I'm too accustomed to revving to 2.5-3k in first to keep up with or get ahead of traffic. There's really no need for it, but I do it anyway... It's just habit. I actually spent a day a while back purposely keeping my foot out of it, accelerating very cautiously from stops, etc. I averaged 28-29 MPG solid over an ~80 mile trip, on moderately hilly terrain with about 60% city driving. I should drive like that more often, but it would drive me batty (plus Connecticut drivers are the second biggest assholes of the states I've driven in, Massachusetts being the worst).

There's a guy on one of the G8 boards that had to move to Wales for work, figures he'll be there 3 years minimum. He had his G8 GT shipped over on a boat and still uses it as an everyday driver. He said he gets lots of looks and questions, but there's actually quite a few guys close by with Vauxhall's that are essentially the same thing since it too is just a rebadged Holden Commodore, but you can get them with superchargers as well. There's even a drag strip near where he's at he's been to a few times and said there's quite a few people there.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Why just VW? There are TONS of other engine options available in Europe for all cars that do better than their American counterparts.

The problem is, people here want to go fast-ish, and get good mileage

You should see how the 2.0L CR TDI engine does on freeway passing. Its about the same as my old GTI if I drop down a gear to 5th.

This thing is definitely no slouch for what it is, I averaged 44 MPG going 77 MPH from OC to Davis, CA last month.

 

[coxmaster]

You should see how the 2.0L CR TDI engine does on freeway passing. Its about the same as my old GTI if I drop down a gear to 5th.

This thing is definitely no slouch for what it is, I averaged 44 MPG going 77 MPH from OC to Davis, CA last month.

Oh yeah, i know. Ive driven a TDI (both 6MT and DSG) and its very impressive.

There are even better VW offerings though! Just not here

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Oh yeah, i know. Ive driven a TDI (both 6MT and DSG) and its very impressive.

There are even better VW offerings though! Just not here

Oh yes of course, but emissions laws and etc put a damper on all of that fun. VWoA needs to take their head out of their asses or they're going to lose market share.

Improve reliability concerns, bring over a TDI engine for every model, lower prices a bit, Euro delivery program, GTI-R, etc.

 

[Evadman]

I have a hybrid. A parallel hybrid. It burns gas and rubber at the same time.

I support this.

 

[zerocool84]

Why just VW? There are TONS of other engine options available in Europe for all cars that do better than their American counterparts.

The problem is, people here want to go fast-ish, and get good mileage

Umm no

People always seem to forget, emission and safety laws and infinitely different in Europe than America. We get less power and MPG for the same type of car because of the stricter emission and safety laws we have. Also for a new diesel to be 50 state compliant in the States, they have to have some VERY expensive technology to make it emission legal here which drives up the costs of cars. There's monetary reasons why we don't get many cool cars that others do around the world.

 

[mmntech]

Umm no

People always seem to forget, emission and safety laws and infinitely different in Europe than America. We get less power and MPG for the same type of car because of the stricter emission and safety laws we have. Also for a new diesel to be 50 state compliant in the States, they have to have some VERY expensive technology to make it emission legal here which drives up the costs of cars. There's monetary reasons why we don't get many cool cars that others do around the world.

The base model Jetta TDI is already $4000 more than it's gasoline counterpart. People just aren't willing to pay the price. Largely because diesel cars are not as "sexy" as hybrids.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

The base model Jetta TDI is already $4000 more than it's gasoline counterpart. People just aren't willing to pay the price. Largely because diesel cars are not as "sexy" as hybrids.

The emissions system is about 2k in itself in parts alone over the regular model.

 

[coxmaster]

Umm no

People always seem to forget, emission and safety laws and infinitely different in Europe than America. We get less power and MPG for the same type of car because of the stricter emission and safety laws we have. Also for a new diesel to be 50 state compliant in the States, they have to have some VERY expensive technology to make it emission legal here which drives up the costs of cars. There's monetary reasons why we don't get many cool cars that others do around the world.

I never said they would be easy to bring here. Im just pointing out that there are better alternatives. Obviously yes, you are correct, getting them to meet emissions here would be a giant pain in the ass, which would also cut the mileage.

 

[/b/tard]

The emissions system is about 2k in itself in parts alone over the regular model.

(rhetorical question) So why exactly would it make more sense to buy this vehicle with $2k worth of emissions equipment when you can buy a Prius that is already inherently clean? Also, that article points out to the fact that the Prius is dirty because of the HC emissions.. well what if you don't give a shit about that and your concern is with your monthly gas bill and with fighting global warming? Prius may not be the cleanest vehicle period due to manufacturing processes, but it's certainly the most fuel efficient, practical vehicle being sold today.

 

[PricklyPete]

(rhetorical question) So why exactly would it make more sense to buy this vehicle with $2k worth of emissions equipment when you can buy a Prius that is already inherently clean? Also, that article points out to the fact that the Prius is dirty because of the HC emissions.. well what if you don't give a shit about that and your concern is with your monthly gas bill and with fighting global warming? Prius may not be the cleanest vehicle period due to manufacturing processes, but it's certainly the most fuel efficient, practical vehicle being sold today.

Drive both and you will quickly realize that the TDI is a LOT more fun to drive. I actually have not driven the latest VW TDI (the "clean" one), but I have driven the previous TDI's and a crap ton of different diesels all over Europe and they are infinitely more fun than the Prius appliance. The new CRZ from Honda might be as fun as the TDI's...but then you'd be getting worse gas mileage and less practicality. I'd happily pay that $4k if driving pleasure was in the equation. If all you want is an A to B appliance... I would certainly agree the Prius is the car for you...and it performs exceptionally at doing so.

 

[/b/tard]

Drive both and you will quickly realize that the TDI is a LOT more fun to drive. I actually have not driven the latest VW TDI (the "clean" one), but I have driven the previous TDI's and a crap ton of different diesels all over Europe and they are infinitely more fun than the Prius appliance. The new CRZ from Honda might be as fun as the TDI's...but then you'd be getting worse gas mileage and less practicality. I'd happily pay that $4k if driving pleasure was in the equation. If all you want is an A to B appliance... I would certainly agree the Prius is the car for you...and it performs exceptionally at doing so.

But why even go the step of getting the TDI with its worse mileage than the Prius and just get a Fiesta Instead? It gets the same MPG but actually emits less pollution thanks to the usage of gasoline over diesel.

 

[PricklyPete]

But why even go the step of getting the TDI with its worse mileage than the Prius and just get a Fiesta Instead? It gets the same MPG but actually emits less pollution thanks to the usage of gasoline over diesel.

I'd have to test drive both of them to tell you (have not driven the new Fiesta yet)... I'm in no way a diesel fanatic (actually I really don't like them compared to gas engines)... but if you compare the TDI to a Prius...I'd buy the TDI everyday of the week even if I have to pay a bit more.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

But why even go the step of getting the TDI with its worse mileage than the Prius and just get a Fiesta Instead? It gets the same MPG but actually emits less pollution thanks to the usage of gasoline over diesel.

My TDI sits 4 full size adults comfortably, has a huge trunk, handles pretty damn well (I've been able to keep up with a lot of things you wouldn't expect on curvy roads)

I doubt the Fiesta/Cruze will get 40 MPGs without a lot of "ideal driving". I can pull 45 constantly at 75 MPG easily, if I slowed to 65 or 60 I could easily get into the 50s. People can get 700+ miles out of a 14 gallon tank of diesel.

Emissions system is warranted till 100k miles, I will probably have to replace the DPF around 200k miles or so, but I don't plan on keeping it that long. That one part is the main expense of the system, but it is also only currently available through VW, im sure aftermarket ones will be cheaper with time.

 

[zerocool84]

But why even go the step of getting the TDI with its worse mileage than the Prius and just get a Fiesta Instead? It gets the same MPG but actually emits less pollution thanks to the usage of gasoline over diesel.

Because if you're really hardcore you can make your own diesel which is more eco friendly than even a Prius.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Because if you're really hardcore you can make your own diesel which is more eco friendly than even a Prius.

For the old ALH/BRM/PD diesel engine VWs yeah. If you try to run homebrew biodiesel in any common rain engine you'll end up with a 10k repair bill.

 

[zerocool84]

For the old ALH/BRM/PD diesel engine VWs yeah. If you try to run homebrew biodiesel in any common rain engine you'll end up with a 10k repair bill.

lol well I didn't know that you couldn't do it with the new diesels. Oh well

 

[PhoKingGuy]

lol well I didn't know that you couldn't do it with the new diesels. Oh well

You can run a B5 blend from a diesel station though and it runs a lot better with it. Problem is that its ridiculously hard to find in SoCal 🙁

 

[Monster_Munch]

I'm sure if I brought my "large" Fusion over to Europe with it's gas-guzzling, 26 MPG, 3.0L, 221 HP V6, I'd get laughed at.

I don't think that's true, plenty of people here in England still drive Range Rovers or Jaguars with 4 litre V8s but they're definitely dying out because of the crazy fuel prices we have. I'm paying about £1.16 a litre at the moment which is roughly translated to $7.20 per gallon.