Five Diesels from Europe that will out-eco a Prius
Your Prius may be rated at 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg while
cruising the countryside, but chances are you’re not realizing those numbers the EPA obtained by strapping
Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive to a dynamometer. In Europe, where fuel economy is calculated by actually operating
an engine on the road while it’s under the hood of a vehicle, the Prius returns a more realistic 47 mpg in the city
and 56 mpg on the highway, or 5.0L/100km city and 4.2L/100km highway in the continent’s native metric.
This more realistic fuel economy rating lowers the bar enough for a handful of European small cars to beat the Prius in a game at which many Americans believe it’s indomitable. And guess what, these cars from the old world all use highly fuel-efficient diesel engines.
(All mileage numbers represent official European rating converted into miles/gallon via this conversion site)
Audi A2
1.2 TDI
city: 65.33
highway: 87.11
average: 78.4
Smart
fortwo CDI
city: 60.31
highway: 75.87
average: 69.18
Peugeot 107 Urban 1.4 HDi 54 / Citroën C1 HDi 55 SX
city: 44.38
highway: 69.18
average: 57.37)
Citroën C2 HDi 70 SensoDrive VTR
city: 48
highway: 61.9
average: 56
KIA Picanto 1.1 CRDi EX
city: 48
highway: 31.9
average: 56
If many in this country are so concerned about eking the most amount of miles from a gallon of fuel, why hasn’t the modern diesel enjoyed the same success here as the hybrid? The easy answer would be the ghost of diesel’s past, particularly a bad batch of oil burners designed by Oldsmobile in the 1980’s.
The more complicated response is that Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel hasn’t been readily available in the U.S. like it is in Europe. This special blend of diesel contains less sulfur, which reduces emissions, but also allows for better emissions control systems to be used on a diesel engine. Fortunately ULSD will be the new standard in the U.S. come this fall. Some companies, like DaimlerChrysler, are waiting in the wings with 50-state approved diesels that are powerful, clean and get grand gas mileage. Will diesels finally become the eco-peer of hybrids? Who will be the first to marry the two in an ultra-efficient diesel hybrid production car? Time will tell, but we can all breathe easier knowing more green options are sprouting up every year.
This more realistic fuel economy rating lowers the bar enough for a handful of European small cars to beat the Prius in a game at which many Americans believe it’s indomitable. And guess what, these cars from the old world all use highly fuel-efficient diesel engines.
(All mileage numbers represent official European rating converted into miles/gallon via this conversion site)
Audi A2
1.2 TDIcity: 65.33
highway: 87.11
average: 78.4
Smart
fortwo CDIcity: 60.31
highway: 75.87
average: 69.18
Peugeot 107 Urban 1.4 HDi 54 / Citroën C1 HDi 55 SX
city: 44.38
highway: 69.18
average: 57.37)
Citroën C2 HDi 70 SensoDrive VTR city: 48
highway: 61.9
average: 56
KIA Picanto 1.1 CRDi EX
city: 48
highway: 31.9
average: 56
If many in this country are so concerned about eking the most amount of miles from a gallon of fuel, why hasn’t the modern diesel enjoyed the same success here as the hybrid? The easy answer would be the ghost of diesel’s past, particularly a bad batch of oil burners designed by Oldsmobile in the 1980’s.
The more complicated response is that Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel hasn’t been readily available in the U.S. like it is in Europe. This special blend of diesel contains less sulfur, which reduces emissions, but also allows for better emissions control systems to be used on a diesel engine. Fortunately ULSD will be the new standard in the U.S. come this fall. Some companies, like DaimlerChrysler, are waiting in the wings with 50-state approved diesels that are powerful, clean and get grand gas mileage. Will diesels finally become the eco-peer of hybrids? Who will be the first to marry the two in an ultra-efficient diesel hybrid production car? Time will tell, but we can all breathe easier knowing more green options are sprouting up every year.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jeff 3:15AM (3/24/2006)
I was just about to jump on you guys, and then i read the next sentence. I thought Autoblog was joining the ranks of "Diesel is better than Hybrid!" when they don't need to be competing against each other. I'm glad you bring up the tantalizing possibility of hybrid diesels. Ford has shown us a couple concepts that run on this set up, the Meta One Mercury Freestyle type thing last year, and this year with the Reflex. I believe Citroen also has a hybrid diesel C4 in the works.
With regen braking and start stop capability, i bet that A2 could get its average mileage close to 90mpg.
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Jonathan 10:29AM (3/25/2006)
Autoblog shouldn't be focusing on subcompacts; where Americans will most appreciate diesel is with their sedans, wagons, and SUVs, which are what really need the largest gain in fuel economy. Most of what you show in this story is meant for heavy downtown driving, which is less common in North America than in Europe.
On that note, however, the Smart fortwo is capable of insane fuel efficiency if you really try. I've heard reports of 80 MPG for cautious regular drivers, and 100 MPG (!) for extended highway driving.
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K Smith 10:32AM (3/25/2006)
(To add to #1 (Jeff's comment)) ...or the diesel hybrid like this Opel Astra Concept: http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/adv_tech/100_news/astra_011005.html
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antrow 10:32AM (3/25/2006)
None of the cars look like the would qualify as mid-sized by American standards. The A2 may come close but I doubt one could be picked up for $25,600 (USD) with navagation. Cars like the smart that are no bigger then a typical office cube are not in the same league as the Prius that is comfortable for 4 real sized adult and lot of their stuff.
I still think that the Prius, while monkey but ugly, represents a great value when compared againts other cars, hybrid or non-hybrid. Many people look strickly at how long it will take you to make up savings in gas dollars to determine it's value. Considering the tax credit, insurance savings and the fact that our county and town waive the yearly car tax on hybrids ($600-$1000 year)we feel like we are making out like bandits (just not nearly as fast). Now if only they could make the Prius look at little less like an egg timer on wheels.
I would love to see/have a hybrid bio-diesel wagon sometime in the near future.
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starlightmica 10:39AM (3/25/2006)
And to complete the picture, 0-100km/h (62mph for us power-hungry Americans) stopwatch times (Googling):
Audi A2 1.2 TDI
0-100 in 14.9 seconds
Smart fortwo CDI
0-100 in 19.8 seconds
Citro? C1 HDi 55 SX / Peugeot 107 Urban 1.4 HDi 54
0-100 in 15.6 seconds
Citro? C2 HDi 70 SensoDrive VTR
0-100 in 16.5 seconds
KIA Picanto 1.1 CRDi EX
0-100 in 16.0 seconds
--
By comparison, Prius (2nd gen) accelerates at warp speed: 0-100 in 10.3 seconds. It's still the easier sell to folks coming out of their 5000lb SUV's with sub 8.0 second 0-60 times.
I'm all for extraordinarly green cars, but the traffic coming out of my subdivision flies at 40-50mph in the AM and adequate acceleration is a must for any future vehicle purchase if I don't want to be punted up the tailpipe.
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Paul 10:45AM (3/25/2006)
Are you comparing apples and oranges?
Those cars are small and noisy city cars. They release their share of deadly particle contamination and more NOx. Hopefully they will stay in Europe, where most cities are so polluted by the fumes of those cars that should never have been fitted with a diesel engine in the first place.
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Michael Karesh 10:47AM (3/25/2006)
NOne of these cars is as large of functional and a Prius, which is essentially a midsize car.
To compare prices and link to my review of the Prius:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/prius.php
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bernie 10:56AM (3/25/2006)
The biggest obstacle isn't America's emissions regulations - which are incompatible with Europe's. Once we get past that we still have the issue of this country's obsession with having 85 lb women talking on cellphones while tailgating at 80 mph in 8,000 lb. Excursions and Hummers.
It's like the weapons race - as long as rednecks keep buying these wasteful aircraft carriers, car companies are going to keep building them. That leaves folks who want to drive small cars too terrified to do so.
I would love to drive an A2. But the situation on American highways is so scary the company won't even bring it here.
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pat.welcomhom 8:46AM (10/14/2009)
Bernie
It will surprise you but here in Wynnewood, Pa. the people driving those suburbans etc are not rednecks. You will find these vehicles in the parking lot at Whole Foods, Macy`s etc. The owners tend to be wealthy and of Waspish and Jewish backgrounds. So why not be an equal opportunity disparager and amend your statement to; "rednescks, wasp, jews and others"?
Speed42 11:05AM (3/25/2006)
How I wish Audi would bring the A2 here.
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Corey W. 11:13AM (3/25/2006)
You mean the easy "wrong" answer would be the ghost of diesels past, particularly a bad batch of oil burners designed by Oldsmobile in the 1980s. The correct answer was in the sentence before, GM didn't develop that engine because they were SO concerned about getting the most fuel from a gallon. It was pressure from emissions and other automaker diesel offerings. The development was poorly planned and like most of GM's "rushed" projects... it failed. Calling those engines diesel is the equivalent of putting diesel in your own gasoline engine and saying "Taadaa, I have a diesel!!" Again, at that time, if many in the US was SO concerned about the gas mileage savings of diesel, domestics would have been developed a more reliable passenger engine.
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fuscob 11:21AM (3/25/2006)
Unfortunately, the A2 has been discontinued.
#4: You're right, you can't get an A2 with satnav for $25,600. You can get one for USD$15,600.
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Jonathan 11:37AM (3/25/2006)
Paul:
Ignorance is bliss, isn't it?
Not only is the diesel in Europe a lot cleaner than it is in North America right now, but the cars themselves are very low-emission. The Smart fortwo is actually one of the cleanest-running cars - period.
So before you make gross overgeneralizations again, please do your homework.
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Milos 11:39AM (3/25/2006)
just one little error - The picture which should represent Citroen C1 is in fact Peugeot 107.
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Hank 11:43AM (3/25/2006)
More in keeping with many American's real driving choices:
- Chrysler 300 with 3.0 V6 CRD: 26.2 city/42.8 hwy, 34.9 combined
- Chrysler minivan with 2.8 V6 CRD: 24.6 city/42.2 hwy, 33.2 combined
- Jeep Grand Cherokee with 3.0 V6 CRD: 21.6 city/32.8 hwy, 27.7 combined
- Ford Mondeo (same size as Fusion/Milan) with 2.0 TDCi & Durashift 6-speed manual: 34.9 city/58.9 hwy, 47.1 combined
That alone should drive a few sales and save a tanker or two of foreign pumped fossil debris if they're offered here.
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John B 11:49AM (3/25/2006)
A good start would be the new (in Europe anyway) Honda Civic hatchback. The diesel with manual transmission does 0-100 kph. in 8.6 sec. and gets 55 mpg on the highway. Here is a Fifth Gear road test.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=280723957717355448&q=fifth+gear
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Hank 11:53AM (3/25/2006)
Oh yeah, and the Honda Accord with a 2.2 i-CTDi gets 52.8 combined.
Batteries not included.
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Sgt. Hulka 12:38PM (3/25/2006)
WHAT A LEAD-IN CROCK OF B*LLS*IT.
Considering the fact that the majority of the American driving public wasn't born when the Olds went of out production, let's drop the "Blame GM" game for the lack of deisel interest in the USA. A-Holes...
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apollo322 12:58PM (3/25/2006)
Let's hope that in the next 10 years 10% of the population is driving cars with 40+mpg efficency. Diesels seem to be the better option here since we drive more hwy miles, but why not a diesel hybrid? The less gas used, the better off the whole world is.
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n2carz 1:02PM (3/25/2006)
#15, that car will be a runaway hit in the US, and I bet a Toyota Camry will have a similar engine too. Once again it looks like the Japanese cars could walk away with honors again using diesel technology too.
Once ULSD fuel is standard in the US, it will be a more level playing field for auto manufacturers to bring CLEAN diesel engines here.
You can't deny us these engines, look at the 3/4 ton truck market...heavy market demand for diesel engines in all brands.
Unfortunately not all people have an open mind and like to talk smack about diesels...let see how people really choose (with their money) when more are available here in the US, utilizing the ULSD fuel.
I do like the Prius, but my commute is 50 miles each way all interstate, and the fuel cost savings is not there, but if I were to live in a city with lots of stop and go, I would have one..that is where a Prius (or other hybrid) really shines.
I am glad to see there will be more options for a more economical way to drive your vehicle - be it hybrid, diesel, or small displacement gasoline engine. We just need them to be affordable to purchase and operate, it's not all about being green, it's about saving green too.
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