Check out this link to what I thought might be an interesting comparison of the latest VW diesel technology and the Prius. Portland 2 Portland | Green Test Drive It's a 9000 mile run from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon, designed, I guess, to prove that the VW is more fun to drive than last year's Prius. Give it a look see. Seems to me that the VW is a weak sister and the organizers have to visit VW dealers all the way to be sure the thing keeps running. They bring along the Prius to have a reliable way to get back to town when the VW breaks down. There are no consumption figures listed that I can find. Just exactly what's going on is difficult to understand. It all seems rather staged and biased toward the wonderfully "clean" VW. We don't even know what year the Prius is, certainly not the 2010 version. Could it be that the VW is being compared with the last generation Prius? I tried to enter my comments on their site and was not able to.
Here's more info... http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/greenhuman/archives/162499.asp The writer uses the word "clean" so often, the bias toward diesel is quite obvious, without even having to read this greenwashing: "FOR THE FIRST TIME - MEETS OR EXCEED ULEV STANDARDS IN ALL 50 STATES. This clean burning technology is now squarely on par with Hybrids and provides A REAL ALTERNATIVE for consumers to consider." Since some hybrids are only ULEV rated, that is true. But omitting the fact that the one the Portland run is competing against is much cleaner is definitely misleading. Of course, a mostly-highway comparison against the older model Prius is misleading anyway. .
Of course it is a staged VW event and if "the numbers" were in their favor they'd be posted. IMO it doesn't really matter if they are going against a 2009 or a 2005 Prius as they have the same mechanics. They can't run against a 2010 Prius because they don't yet exist. Three preproduction cars sitting in a building don't count. 50mpg is 50mpg regardless of how it is achieved and the more options, the better. If you want to experience a serious butt-kicking find an experienced driver in an Insight. Beware, the butt that's kicked will be your own.
Well said. The competition hates that reality. They've been selectively pushing either city or highway rating, whatever is to their favor. Along comes Toyota, which sticks to the combined value for the reveal of the 2010 Prius. .
Well they could use the "Top Gear" approach: max accelerate Prius to speed limit +5 mph ABS brake Prius to speed limit -5 mph (averages speed limit) Repeat until sufficiently low mileage is achieved Then there is the dealer preparation: 10-40 engine oil over fill, well above the "F" 28 psi tires nice, new big, fat, wide tires Don't forget to follow the Motor Trend driving tips: Use "B", not "D" Maximum defrost at all times Piece of cake. Bob Wilson
Well they are using a Google based blog and it it seems Wayne has already posted his notice. I just added mine: So the EPA is lying when their testing: City/Hwy (combined) - vehicle 30/41 (34) - 2009 Jetta diesel, manual 40/45 (42) - 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid, automatic 48/45 (46) - 2009 Prius, automatic Fuel Economy Perhaps we should use "Top Gear" who recently got 17 MPG with Prius? I suppose we could just follow the example of "no matter what anyone says" and choose whatever "truth" one wants to claim. Bob Wilson - Engineer The URL: News on the Portland to Portland Green Test Drive: What are we doing here? Enjoy! Bob Wilson
read touareg hybrid review on 4car... aperrantly, hybrids are much better than diesels when in german vehicle ;-)
At the risk of seeming like someone tossing a load of chum into a school of sharks, their commenting web interface is working and they've asked: I've taken a brief stab at #1, without mentioning the cost of diesel. But I think #2, the battery, and #5, the CNW Marketing nonsense, Sudbury, and others, need some facts and data. As for #3, I'm an engineer and the only fun thing I enjoy is having someone tailgate me into a tight turn (sometimes a mean engineer!) As for "creature comfort," XM radio, 14 hour drives, and an effective heater and AC, I'm good to go. But you know someone might quote from "The Prius That Shook The World" what their first design decision was. <grins> Have fun and take a bite on them for me. Bob Wilson
