Comments on: Audi A4 2.0 TDI e fuel figures released

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:19:11 +0000

Half empty, even…

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:15:04 +0000

QwkEddie, your glass is half full. The car’s an achievement! Wider tyres and alloys will increase aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance and fuel consumption!

If a buyer wants schmick alloys and more excitement in general, there are other choices within the A4 range.

By: Alan

Alan — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:43:08 +0000

Alex, i know it’s not all that green, and the exact affect hybrid has on the environment throughout its entire life from production to disposal is still debetable, but for countries like USA and Japan where diesel cars are scarce, hybrid is the only choice for people wanting a fuel efficient car and something green (at least what the marketing people tells them)

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:41:03 +0000

Cupid’s right. This is aimed at Europe and with good reason. We have to pay tax on our cars depending on how much Co2 is puts out. This car probably puts you down a grade. It might be relevant in Australia in another few years, I’m sure you’ll eventually get the same taxes.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:37:44 +0000

Steve H, fair enough but I know that my Mondeo-Man friend gets 42MPG with an automatic 2.0 diesel in town. The Mondeo’s bigger than the Prius. I also know from experience that a diesel is more likely to keep the same economy in the same conditions over and over again. A hybrid can be a little more up and down.

Alan, we write off petrol hybrid because they are not really very green at all. The batteries take an awful lot to make and when you’re done with them, well it gets worse.

By: SteveH

SteveH — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:50:49 +0000

Alex, I will take your word for it in regards to the Mini vs Prius in traffic, but look at the size of the two cars. A mini is tiny compared to a Prius so you are comparing cars in two completely differnt classes

By: Cupid Stunt

Cupid Stunt — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:46:51 +0000

Think you’ll find this is pretty much aimed fairly and squarely at the Euro market and not considered for the petrol gas guzzling markets like Australia.
Pretty much the norm now to have an “efficient” range withi a range of car. VW’s is bluemotion, Volvo is iDrive, Ford’s Econetic. Nothing new really.
Oooh how I’d like a Camry in preference to this!!

By: Alan

Alan — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:40:07 +0000

Sam, I doubt a diesel hybrid will yield a much better fuel efficiency than a regualr diesel. Petrol hybrid works well because the eletric motor makes up for the lack of low down torque of a petrol engine during initial acceleration, a diesel engine already has good low down torque so you can accelerate with less fuel and less rev, doubt bolting an eletric motor to a diesel engine will improve the fuel economy much.
Despite these diesel engines achieving excellent economy, don’t write off petrol hybrid yet. Diesel is not widely available in all countries in the world, that’s why petrol hybrid has sold well in USA and Asian market, though doing poorly in europe where diesel engine is the more dominant. Also diesel engine has excellent fuel economy on the highway, but putting a hybrid and a diesel through daily traffic jam, the hybrid will come out as the winner.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:15:29 +0000

SteveH, your wrong actually. I know people who have Priuses (who doesn’t) and they get about 45-50 MPG in London traffic. Not bad but not as good as my diesel Mini. The Mini’s nicer to drive in town as well.

Nice car but I think a 320d is only about 1 litre per 100kms more than that and it would be a better drive and a better all rounder. Still, impressive stuff that put’s hybrids to shame.

By: RoFlmaTiC

RoFlmaTiC — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:05:12 +0000

Sorry I retract my last post, I spose its unfair to compare this car to 30k sedans. It’s only a 4k premium over the 1.8 petrol version and in that respect its a pretty good buy!