Monday, June 22, 2009

2010 Audi A3 TDI

I had predicted a while back that the German automobile manufacturers would start exporting diesels to the United States. Presently, sixty percent of the automobiles sold in Europe are diesels....in some countries that number goes to eighty percent of the vehicles are diesels. The price of petrol in Europe is much higher due to taxes imposed on fuels.

Audi is introducing the A3 TDI as an option in the A3 family of cars. The A3 TDI is equipped with the TDI 2.0 clean diesel engine. This is the same motor that is used in the
Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The motor produces 140 hp. and 236 ft pounds of torque.

The A3 TDI is equipped with an S tronic tranmission....which is a direct shift gearbox that combines the advantages of a six speed manual with the abilities of a automatic.

Audi estimates that the A3 TDI should get about 29 city and 40 highway mpg. Pricing has not been formally announced!

SUMMARY:

The Germans have not really been impressed by the Japanese hybrids that have come out. When they compare the hybrid cost versus the diesels that the Germans are producing....they think that their cars are better choices.

There is some merit to their position....many of the driving dynamics of hybrids are second rate. The new German diesels have better acceleration and handling than many of the hybrids. The cost is also more reasonable for a diesel than a hybrid. Also, gone are many of the problems with the smoke, acceleration, and noise of the old diesel motors.

I am of the opinion that we will see a flood of diesels from Europe. So, we will see which technology prevails....in the short term we will probably see both technologies on the roads as the U.S. becomes more energy efficient.

6 comments:

  1. Peter, It depends on if diesel prices get to be as high or higher than last year. The truckers where loosing their shirts. If it get to be that high these car will not sell very well then. Gas was high, but diesel was higher. It all comes down to the price of the fuels.
    Dan and Deanna "Marketing Unscrambled"

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  2. Hi Dan & Deanna,

    Thank you for bringing up this great issue with diesel! Yes there are fluctuation in the price between gas and diesel. Diesel vehicles get much better gas overall...so many times that overcomes the price differential.

    I am anticipating that gas and diesel will go up substantially in the next year to eighteen months. Currently, here in Southern California diesel is about ten cents a gallon cheaper.

    The best solution to avoid any high gas or diesel prices is to buy an electric car. There are not any available now but within two years you will see a number of them.

    Typically electric rates do no fluctuate like fuels...in addition in some areas you can use windmill technology to generate electricity.

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

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  3. Hi Pete .. yes cheaper cars to drive is the essential to the common man .. with whatever is the cheaper fuel ..

    The costs of production are the question, like the cost of windmill technology - how much does it cost to clear the land, what about the space useage, the noise from the windmill and the electricity to power the conversion of wind to electrity .. I know we have to try things! but people (conveniently) forget the cost to produce!

    Technology improvements will abound ..

    as you say we'll see!! Go well -
    Hilary Melton-Butcher
    Positive Letters

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  4. Hi Hilary,

    The writing is on the wall so to speak....green is in. You point regarding the cost is a super point....that will always impact the outcome.

    I like the idea of being self sufficient in energy! That way your not subject to the market swings.

    That is why I am looking at an electric car as my next choice....not only are they green but I can recharge them at the house. With escalating fuel prices....it seems to be a good choice.

    Thanks for your comment!

    Peter Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online
    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

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  5. Peter, solar energy is another way to get that energy for the electric car. Even if that is the only thing that it powers at your home that would be a great improvement to gas prices. Thank you for answering the diesel thing. It is better to self sufficient in as many ways as you can be. Gardens for food, solar or wind power for electricity are a few way that we can be at least a little more self sufficient. Thank you Peter, you keep us up to date.
    Dan and Deanna "Marketing Unscrambled"

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  6. Hi Dan & Deanna,

    Thank you for bringing up solar power! Yes, solar panels for automobiles and the home would be a great method to save energy.

    Developement in solar is going to be huge....they are developing films to apply to cars...this might even be in the paint. So, the future will be very interesting!

    Thank you for your super comment!

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast

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