The first article was written in early March, in the era of $3/gasoline. Now that its late April in my area its now $4. This summer it is likely to spike to $4.5 and perhaps beyond. Paying an extra $2k for the hybrid diesel over a gas hybrid may result in a FE increase of 40% for a fuel price increase of 30%. That 10% differential will pay that 2,000 back fairly quickly in the era of $4 gas/$4.50 diesel.

The author of the first article is obviously not that good at math. Consider his statement "Buyers could also lose another big cost benefit: excellent resale value. Diesel engines last longer than gas engines so diesel cars are worth more after years of driving."...IMO having a higher resale value is a BENEFIT to new car buyers.

 

VW diesel-hybrid is DOA
"The word came down yesterday from Auto Motor und Sport that the Volkswagen TDI hybrid Golf concept that debuted in Geneva wouldn't make the transition to production."
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/v...hybrid-is-doa/

Ken@Japan

 

They already had one... The GM Precept got 80 mpg. in Jan. 2000 but GM decided that we didn't need it. They decided that we needed Hummers instead... When will they wake up and smell the coffee.

Check this link out. http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/1267946.html

Take notice to this: This was in the year 2000
Batteries: Proposal 1: Lithium polymer, 350-volt, 3kw-hr usable capacity in seven 50-volt modules.
Proposal 2: Nickel metal hydride, 350-volt, 3kw-hr usable capacity in 28 12-volt modules.

 

Don't forget the Ford Prodigy or the Chrysler ESX-3 diesel hybrids which hit 72 MPG. This was the end result of PNGV, but Dubya cancelled PNGV and started FreedomCar to save us all with hydrogen.

 

Why do they want to use hummers instead?? I mean, there are other diesel trucks out there right?

 

Why do they want to use hummers instead?? I mean, there are other diesel trucks out there right?

 

One problem that might present itself in developing a diesel hybrid is that diesels start with compression not spark plugs. So using an auto stop type hybrid would be difficult because a quick startup after shutting down at a stop would be hard to create in a diesel. If a hybrid diesel used a system similar to the HCH and the battery just "assisted" the already efficient diesel engine, it could be more feasible.

 

Why developing diesel hybrids?
There is no logic to make this move.
The diesel car like VW Polo Bluemotion is more fuel efficient and more cleaner than current popular hybrids like Prius and Insight. And also is a cheaper than hybrids. The other advantage of VW Bluemotion line is that is cheaper for future exploitation. I just read the article about the VW Polo Bluemotion - and it is a real hybrid killer.

 

The VW Polo diesel is not sold in this county because it does not meet the EPA NOx standards. Yes that is correct. The United States has a tougher pollution standard than the Europeans in regards to NOx. Have a good day.

 

Mercedes Benz is introducing the E300 Bluetec Hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show early next year.

http://www.rushlane.com/mercedes-ben...w-1226125.html

"E300 BlueTEC will be a 2.1 liter 4 cylinder vehicle with 201 hp and 369 lb/ft torque and will be fitted with the same motor as seen in E400. At 67.3 mpg this highly efficientvehicle will also include a stop start system with regenerative brakes and low rolling tyres. E300 can speed from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.5 seconds."

It's becoming a reality. But only in Europe in 2012--MPG is imperial so that equals 56 US mpg. I really hope it comes stateside after that.