Originally posted by Syntax Error: ...as I am not mechanically or technically minded when it comes to automobiles.
- Nothing technical about those questions.....
1) Why are there no diesel hybrids?
- because diesel drivers are too cheap to fork out the purchase premium.
2) Why don't they have manual gearboxes?
- because the kind of eco-mentalists who buy hybrids hate driving but need a car to get to their local authority diversity awareness meetings. They also find their sandals get caught up in the clutch pedal.
3) Why won't Toyota do a hybrid version of one of their existing models, rather the odd looking stand-alone Prius?
- Because a hybrid that looked like a normal car wouldn't afford its owner the required level of smug satisfaction in the car park at the aforementioned diversity awareness meeting.
4) Why is the Honda Civic only offered in dull saloon format?
- because it's a dull car. It would break the trade descriptions Act to supply one in the body shape with the interesting, spacerocket-shaped door handles. People would sue and it would get messy.
_________________________ "Forward", he cried, from the rear, and the front rank died. And the General sat, and the lines on the map moved from side to side.
lack of diesel hybrids is due to main market for hybrids being USA -- where sales of diesel cars has been low, but is now increasing
diesel hybrids are coming along very soon for european market - in the next couple of years
-------------------------------------------- Two junior particle physicists were dismissed today after using the Large Hadron Collider to smash conkers into each other at near-light speed.
right now diesels are cheaper to own & don't have lots of batteries that'll need replacing & that take up space --- will need a significant rise in derv prices to make derv-hybrids worth spending the extra imo.
-------------------------------------------- Two junior particle physicists were dismissed today after using the Large Hadron Collider to smash conkers into each other at near-light speed.
GM have made a diesel hybrid, though not in production yet, as i said on Timesonline re the Prius when many (American) people were trying to defend it:
"The defence of the Prius is very commendable, but why produce something that is more complicated, costs more in emmissions to manufacture and has higher final disposal cost - when the supposed "gain" in emmissions is neglegable at best and probably non-existent in real life driving?"
Originally posted by beach: have you seen the price of the honda fcx though. its only for premium car buyers. hybrid technology will come to the supermini buyers much quicker.
I think that £290 per month on a lease deal is not at all bad.
I'm a bit clueless about the technical side of things.
I thought I was onto something when I thought, 'WHY NOT HAVE A DIESEL HYBRID WITH A MANUAL GEARBOX BASED UPON A POPULAR EXISTING MODEL& NOT A DULL SALOON OR ODD-BALL HATCH?'
Its a fair idea, but basing it on existing models you have the problem of where to put the batteries - remember the LPG powered cars - either no boot space, or no spare wheel, or neither!
Originally posted by Syntax Error: Thanks for your help chaps.
I'm a bit clueless about the technical side of things.
I thought I was onto something when I thought, 'WHY NOT HAVE A DIESEL HYBRID WITH A MANUAL GEARBOX BASED UPON A POPULAR EXISTING MODEL& NOT A DULL SALOON OR ODD-BALL HATCH?'
To answer a few questions. All hybrids so far are designed for the US market (hence only petrols), that's why they're saloons/SUVs or frumpy hatches.
PSA are to launch Diesel Hybrids in the next couple of years, I believe the 308 is the first to get the motorisation, as they say. Renault, VW and GM are to launch similar vehicles over the next three years using existing model boddies. In fact, the new Koleos, will be the first of the Renaults to get the Diesel/Hybrid treatment.
The main problem with diesel Hybrids is the significant weight gain of a Diesel block(in conjunction with the batteries and extra motors), however, they do tend to be more economical.
The europeans are quickly catching up, and are probably going to offer a more succinct offer.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sebro99: To answer a few questions. All hybrids so far are designed for the US market (hence only petrols), that's why they're saloons/SUVs or frumpy hatches.
It's odd that they have been developed for the US market as fuel is far cheaper over there.
Air Medic - Mobile Automotive Air Conditioning Service
Originally posted by petrol_blue: [QUOTE]Originally posted by Sebro99: To answer a few questions. All hybrids so far are designed for the US market (hence only petrols), that's why they're saloons/SUVs or frumpy hatches. ]
It's odd that they have been developed for the US market as fuel is far cheaper over there.
Think you'll find its all about emmissions, PB, and the American thing that they want to "look" as if they are doing something about them ,even if they aren't!
Originally posted by Sebro99: PSA are to launch Diesel Hybrids in the next couple of years, I believe the 308 is the first to get the motorisation,
The main problem with diesel Hybrids is the significant weight gain of a Diesel block(in conjunction with the batteries and extra motors), however, they do tend to be more economical.
Is that a "b"308 or "Puegot" 308, I wonder?!
Re the weight of the engines, its not that much difference between petrol and diesel these days and any extra weight is more than compensated for by the superior torque of the diesel, so I can't see engine weight as being any problem...
are diesel engines all alloy these days? if they are then the extra weight they have is perhaps from simply being bigger in capacity than the petrol equivalents. a 1.9 TDI is comparable to a 1.4T petrol both can go from about 130bhp to 200bhp.
....... There's got to be a hundred reasons why i should listen to diesel owners, but right now, i can't think of any.
Originally posted by beach: a 1.9 TDI is comparable to a 1.4T petrol both can go from about 130bhp to 200bhp.
Not quite as simple as that - "drivability" wise as opposed to 0-60 a 1.9 TDi (even a decent 1.4 TDi) is far easier than a 1.4 petrol in everyday use... You're consumed with this need for speed thing again, which is pretty well useless out on the real roads of the UK!
I'm not sure re engine construction - I think that some are all alloy, but I'm sure the VAG stuff is not....
The point I was making before is that the weight difference is negligable and would not create any problems in a hybrid car, its just that as said by someone else the market for Hybrids at the moment is the US where they didn't have any ecconomical and clean cars like we have in Europe so they need all the help they can get.....
Originally posted by beach: the main difference is that diesel is more polluting so probably petrol is preferred. bearing in mind that CO2 is not a harmful pollutant.
