I think BMW produces the best engines but with this new one Audi has come up trumps. Some specs 211PS at 4,300 to 6000 rpm, 350Nm at 1,500 to 4,200rpm (more even than the 3.2 V6 FSI unit also powering A5 models), It enables the front-wheel drive A5 2.0T FSI with 6-speed manual transmission to cover the 0-62mph sprint in 6.9 seconds, reach a top speed of 155 mph and return up to 42.8 mpg according to the combined cycle test. And despite doing full justice in performance terms to the purposeful styling of the A5, it also shows restraint where emissions are concerned, with an output of 154g/km for the front-wheel drive version. Surely with this much torque and fuel economy nobody can justify a diesel.
For comparisons sake, my diesel has similar power/0-60/top speed etc (albeit a different car) and the quoted combined mpg is 50mpg. My best ever tankful was 560 miles from 50 litres (its a 52 litre tank) which equates back to 50mpg, so I believe it to be a fair representation.
If that Audi can really manage the 42mpg, then my diesel is just 19% better. Fuel costs here are £1.30 for diesel and £1.17 for petrol, per litre, diesel is 11% more expensive.
100 miles in the petrol would cost £12.54. 100 miles in the diesel would cost £11.70 - 7% less than the petrol.
Ignoring the initial purchase prices of a car the economy arguement for diesel sure is narrow!
Well argued! A nice grown-up post in the eternal "Diesel v Petrol" debate.
Let's face it, the economic case for or against diesel is totally dependent on how the Government sets the fuel duty. If diesel was the same price as petrol, then the economic argument for it would be extremely strong.
Who knows? maybe the EU will force some sort of harmonization of tax rates across member countries, In which case, I believe, then things would skew in diesels favour.
Of course that only addresses the economic argument. It doesn't address the questions of which is the vest engine in terms of acceleration, fun to drive, sound etc.
---------------------------------------------------- "mad-g" is the display name of "mad-git"
Originally posted by mad-g: Let's face it, the economic case for or against diesel is totally dependent on how the Government sets the fuel duty. If diesel was the same price as petrol, then the economic argument for it would be extremely strong.
It's not totally dependent on duty. Manufacturers often charge more for their diesels than equivalent petrols, sometimes as much as £1K.
The real-world performance has to be taken into account, too. In ever more congested areas, theoretical performance is taking a seat further back as time goes on.
