Forget hybrids, America; diesels will provide economy, performanceAn interesting look at some very cool technology. Hybrids have their place but it will be interesting to hear from their owners in a couple years when the battery packs start needing replacement...
Technology allows diesels to meet toughest upcoming emissions rules; automakers' hybrid alliances show lack of belief in gas-electric future
Peugeot of France doesn't sell its cars in the U.S., but its new 407 Coupe is powered by an engine that will induce a warm glow in Americans.
The engine is a diesel, and it means that Americans forced by high gas prices to seek alternatives to fuel-guzzling motors can do so without making sacrifices.
The new car, launched here in October, is powered by a 2.7 litre V-6 diesel which is quieter than a gasoline engine, has so much torque that its acceleration is blistering and instantaneous, does an average 27.6 miles per U.S. gallon, and most important of all, the engine is made by Ford and is already used in top-of-the-line Jaguars and Range Rovers. This is no smokey, under-powered, bag-o-nails old diesel rattlebox. It is creamy smooth, quiet, sophisticated, and environmentally friendly.
To be fair, Ford makes this latest technology common rail diesel engine in a joint venture with Peugeot. But the capability of the engines like these in terms of economy and refined performance makes Europeans wonder why Americans are making such a fuss about hybrid engines.
Despite all the hullabaloo about hybrids, experts predict that by 2012 Americans will be buying roughly twice as many diesels as hybrids. By then, diesels will also be able to match the toughest emission regulations set by California.
Expensive Hybrids
The runaway price of gasoline has forced Americans to look for more economical fuel. Sure, the gas-electric hybrid engines powering the Toyota Prius and Lexus RX400h are breathtaking technological achievements. But they are heavy and expensive. And claims by Toyota that the Prius will average 54.7 miles per U.S. gallon have not been borne out in Europe, where you can expect around 42 mpg (35 miles per U.S. gallon). Diesel-powered cars like the VW Passat can easily better that, and can combine frugality with much better performance than the Prius.
You would expect leaders of big European manufacturers to echo this idea, and they do, describing hybrids as an expensive blind alley.
"Despite the big public debate right now, it (hybrids) will just be a niche technology," German luxury car maker BMW AG chief executive Helmut Panke told Reuters at the Tokyo car show.
"They (hybrids) do not have long-term economic prospects because they are a lot more expensive to produce (than diesels) with the same results," said Jean-Martin Folz, chief executive of French mass car manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroen.
Experts like Peter Schmidt, editor of the pan-European bi-weekly newsletter Automotive Industry Data, reckon that Toyota's hybrid venture, although an impressive engineering program, was more of a public relations exercise.
"Toyota lacks one fundamental element -- image - unlike BMW or Mercedes. Toyota cleverly used the environmental theme to boost this," said Schmidt.
Schmidt agrees that diesels are at least the match for hybrids in terms of economy and performance at a cheaper price, but says the crucial element in diesel success in America will be its ability to match tough new laws curbing emissions of soot or particulates, and dangerous nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Alternative to Hybrid Automobiles
Hybrids are great for slow traffic and lots of short trips but when you are doing more than 20-30 miles, the advantage wears off and you are back to "normal" gas mileage.
The Detroit News Auto Insider has an interesting article on the new technologies available for Diesel and why they will give Hybrids a good run for their money:
I had a 2002 Prius until a wreck totaled it. (43 mpg overall average, Seattle driving)
When I went over the warranty on the bare-bones, stock $21,000 model, it was indicated that there's one major 'battery replacement' expected in the first 6 years of life. And that that one is covered under warranty.
The newer models have a different type of battery, and I haven't followed if the warranty changed at all.
Of course, (anecdotally) looking around at the people that have bought, I'll note that there's a larger percentage of government/fleet vehicles, and a lot of others where the 'other' vehicle is... pricey. A $1000 60,000 mile checkup for a Land Rover vs a $2000 60,000 mile complete battery replacement.... Shrug.
So... I'm interested in hearing how this shakes down too.