Recent Comments:
Wagoner: GM didn't build hybrids because nobody wanted them {Autoblog Green}
Jul 11th 2008 10:38PM I should have sold all of my stock in this company years ago. Totally clueless and destined for failure.
Vintage Diesel: Gray Eagles developing a turbodiesel Harley {Autoblog}
Feb 17th 2008 8:38PM Sign me up for one!
It's Friday: Politically incorrect reasons for the Prius' popularity {Autoblog Green}
Feb 15th 2008 1:48PM I support zero terrorism as well! I too use B100. Hell, if we had some diesel cars available in the USA we could all support zero terrorism. But we would rather bitch and moan and do nothing to change our gas guzzling ways. We like to support OPEC.
BREAKING: Venezuela stops selling oil to Exxon {Autoblog Green}
Feb 13th 2008 7:24AM I agree with BlackBirdHighway.
Mahindra Appalachian diesel pickup arrives in US next year, diesel hybrid version by 2010 {Autoblog}
Feb 11th 2008 6:18PM I'll have you note I have an 06 Golf TDI. This is the best car I've ever owned and I can reliably get 45mpg on the highway with it and 38 in the city. I regularly run B20 biodiesel in it, and B100 when I can get it. And I hate to tell you this, but diesels are a stepping stone to oil independence in this country. Not a solution, but a step in the right direction. An instant 30% increase in efficiency when compared to an equivalently powerful gas engine. E85 is not available in Oklahoma City, where I live. I have used E85 when the two pumps where in town that I could get it out of, and the only thing I can tell about it is the 1/3 decrease in mileage per tankful I would get. As far as diesels and performance, I have an 04 Dodge Cummins 2wd regular cab auto. It has a few performance enhancements. I drive it everyday and it gets 16mpg in town and 20 on the highway. With slicks, it will run a 12.99 at 105mph in the quarter. Not bad, eh? My Golf TDI recently spanked a brand new Mini Cooper S on a steep high speed run between Springfield Mo., and Branson. We raced along the way where I would let the Mini pass me going downhill and I would leave him in my smoke going uphill. I pulled over in Branson to eat and the fellow pulled in to talk. He could not believe the difference in performance. My car was loaded with my wife, our nephew and a weeks worth of baggage. He was empty. Sorry, diesel rules.
Mahindra Appalachian diesel pickup arrives in US next year, diesel hybrid version by 2010 {Autoblog}
Feb 11th 2008 8:38AM It's got nothing to do with being patriotic. I'm sure my Grandfather would roll over in his grave if he knew the TV I owned was made by the Japanese. Oh wait, the Chinese. No, maybe it's made in the Philippines. Anyway, the big 3 are asleep at the wheel. They need to do what is right for our future generations. In my opinion, this is to eliminate our dependency on any oil imports, period. This is patriotic. This vehicle is simply a stepping stone to allow this. If someone else produces a vehicle with similar capabilities any time soon, then I'll consider it as well. I'm not seeing it though. Am I missing something?
Mahindra Appalachian diesel pickup arrives in US next year, diesel hybrid version by 2010 {Autoblog}
Feb 11th 2008 7:58AM Finally! I'll take a 4x4 please! All you manufacturers out there better wake up, this is what I, and many others have been waiting for! Good luck Mahindra, bring it on our shores, I'll buy it!
New car buyers amazingly wary of diesel {Autoblog Green}
Jan 28th 2008 11:54PM I had a 2006 VW TDI Golf. I made a huge mistake and sold it because my wife thought it was to low to the ground and would not drive it. I loved it. It was an automatic. It would get over 43 mpg on the highway and 32 in the city, consistently. We were traveling on an interstate in the Ozarks and I raced a Mini Cooper S. I would race him to the top of the steep hills gapping him badly, then I'd slow down going downhill to allow him to pass. Then I'd pass him again going up another steep grade. He was flabbergasted at the difference in performance. I had my wife, my nephew, all our gear for a weeks fishing and sightseeing vacation on board. We pulled over down the road at a restaurant and the guy pulls in wanting to know what was under the hood. He didn't like it when I said a diesel. He claimed he had the supercharged Mini pegged the entire time. The 1.9 liter turbo diesel by VW was, and is, a great performer. I wish they'd bring it back. My wife now likes the looks of the things and wishes I wouldn't have sold it. Maybe I should not listen to her next time. Bring us a Golf diesel please VW!
Chevy looking to sell a pickup smaller than Colorado? {Autoblog}
Jan 10th 2008 6:19AM This sounds like an option. In the USA we have no options. The first manufacturer to bring a small diesel, with selectable four wheel drive, a true frame, and not a unibody, in both standard and automatic transmission configurations will have a winner on their hands. In fact I'd be willing to bet they'd sell the sell out out them. Problem is, we currently don't have a company on our shores that understands this, including GM.
