I'm finally seeing the light on diesel engines and the US auto makers
#1
Posted 06 June 2010 - 06:43 AM
So this is a sad state of affairs and I find myself thinking about how I arrived here. Conclusion: our vehicle choices here in the US suck. Our big diesel engine trucks offer a 3-4 mpg advantage but at 5-7k in increased cost up front, this is a completely irrelevant advantage. The conclusion is obvious: we need better engines in this country. We all know that turbo diesel engines have been available around the world for some time and they provide fuel economy at least twice that of our full sized trucks here. Some might cite our emission standards here as the reason for the lack of diesel engine availability, but we have had a great turbo diesel engine here for years: the Mercedes found in the Sprinter vans. So it can be done.
The Ford F150 was supposed to have a diesel engine this year but it was scrapped. Consumers want these engines. At this point I am forced to conclude that the lack of availability of these engines is a conspiracy between the automotive and oil companies. Nothing else makes sense. And I'm sick of it.
So despite the fact that I believe a strong US-based manufacturing sector is vital to the recovery of this nation, and despite the fact that I go out of my way to buy American whenever possible, I have made the following conclusion:
Mahindra, bring your truck, and I will buy it.
#2
Posted 06 June 2010 - 04:15 PM
Fuel costs are the biggest reason I don't make more trips.
I was fascinated to see the price of diesel fluctuate so wildly on my trip to nevada. Fuel in nevada was generally about fifteen cents cheaper than Californina. Even then I saw the price go from $2.85 to $3.35. Why such a huge spread? I was very thankful that I have decent range in my truck. I was able to avoid fueling in many small towns and wait until I came to a town with decent prices.
I'm really curious to see how successful the Mahindra is, assuming it ever makes it here.
Craig K6JGV_________________________ 2004 2500 CTD 4X4 FWC HAWK 1960 CJ5
#3
Posted 06 June 2010 - 06:58 PM
#4
Posted 06 June 2010 - 07:08 PM
i dont agree with your mileage advantage or 3-4. where did you get that?
Well big gassers are getting 12-14 and diesels are getting 14-18 at best (average over a trip hauling a camper, off road etc).
#5
Posted 06 June 2010 - 07:28 PM
#6
Posted 06 June 2010 - 07:32 PM
My 03 7.3 gets about 18mpg unloaded, with 8000# behind it and the camper on the truck I still can get 16mpg. If you loaded a big block gasser that way you would see less than 10mpg for sure, I think you also have to take into account that a well taken care of oil burner will last at least twice as long as a gasser, especially if you work the gas motor as hard as the diesel, the new Ford motor is getting a solid 20 mpg and it's as quiet as any gas motor I've ever heard, I want one.
Well I certainly see the advantage of the US made diesel engines if you are towing some large items. However, for backcountry camping and hauling around something like a FWC, I don't think these engines are very practical at all.
#7
Posted 07 June 2010 - 05:14 PM
#8
Posted 07 June 2010 - 06:15 PM
All we have to do is look back at the last big spike in fuel prices. At that time you could hardly give away a big truck or SUV. Commercial interests still needed them, but the vast number of big pickups and SUVs owned by Joe Sixpack and Sally Soccermom were never used anywhere close to their full potential and the reality of it got them thinking about the practicality of better mileage efficient vehicles. Too bad we have such short memories.
#9
Posted 07 June 2010 - 07:30 PM
I have driven the small turbo diesels in Europe. They are installed in small cars with 6 speed manual transmissions. Recently, we rented a neat little Mercedes on one of our trips. On the autobahn we usually drove 120 to 140 K per hour. I never checked the fuel mileage closely but I guess it was around 35 mpg. The engine ran more like a gasoline engine than a diesel. However, those little diesels are in relatively small cars. I don't believe the engines have as much power as the typical engine in the US, all things being equal.
#10
Posted 07 June 2010 - 08:49 PM
When some of the truck mfg's had to resort to burning more fuel to clean up the emissions I have to wonder what the real goal is.
Where does that road go?
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