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!

By: SteveH

SteveH — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:53:54 +0000

Will, I was refering to the looks of the Audi. I think you drive an Audi for about 30 minutes and realise it is a million years ahead of a Camry.

By: RoFlmaTiC

RoFlmaTiC — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:48:31 +0000

Car looks awesome, I’m a big fan of audis B6 and onwards.

Not sure what this car is aiming to be though, is the 30k premium worth saving a few dollars per 100kms?

By: Will

Will — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:47:59 +0000

Steve, I think if you punt an Audi around for a few weeks you will discover the Camry a little more ordinary.

By: MisterTwo

MisterTwo — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:42:08 +0000

Quote QwkEddie “Also Audi,it’s the most underpowered-The car looks so mundane!”

Dur! I think you are not getting it. If yo buy this vehicle it is for the fuel efficiancy and not to burn off the lights. Also 0-100 in under 10 seconds is more than enough to keep up with traffic and do 100kph + on the freeway. Also you have obviously never seen this in the flesh as this car is anything but mundane. One of my neighbours has one and I see it every day and admire it.

By: SteveH

SteveH — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:36:38 +0000

Quote: ‘Modern diesel technology tends to make the petrol hybrid a superseded and redundant turkey’

Drive a hybrid and a diesel in stop start city traffic and see who comes out on top. The diesel would be able to post low fuel consumption on a highway run, but it wouldn’t get anywhere near a hybrid around town. Also, I think Audi must be gunning for some of Toyota’s customers because this Audi must be the German Camry as it is so boring to look at.

By: Will

Will — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:34:16 +0000

Hi Sam,

There are a number of streams that are coming on line. Diesel electric is one. There are a number of manufacturers exploring this technology, notably Peogeot.
However I believe progress has been slowed due to the recession.

Diesel stop start technology is another, most notable is the BMW Mini. I believe this machine will be marketed here some time later this year. This technology no doubt will lend itself to diesel electric.

There are continuing advances in battery technology. Fuel cell technology, notably with Honda seems to be making leaps and bounds. It seems that Hydrogen might be a viable fuel source in the not too distant future provided they can improve synthesis and distribution.

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:51:24 +0000

Will, i tend to agree. But it really only highlights how crappy the petrol engines must be Toyota uses in its hybrids. Could this diesel A4 engine be used in a hybrid configuration to create a car with 2 litres/100km consumption capability?

By: Will

Will — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:55:34 +0000

Modern diesel technology tends to make the petrol hybrid a superseded and redundant turkey.

By: QwkEddie

QwkEddie — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:54:10 +0000

“Audi claims the A4 TDI e is the most fuel efficient standard-size sedan in the world.”

Also Audi,it’s the most underpowered-The car looks so mundane!

By: Martin

Martin — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:47:20 +0000

Wow, fantastic fuel economy.

Wonder how much more expensive than AU$56,500 it will actually be…