BMW 520d with a 2.0L, 177 hp four cylinder diesel
> zero to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds
> 41.9 mpg real world driving conditions
Toyota Prius
> zero to 60 mph in 11 seconds
> 40 mpg in real world driving conditions
Read more…
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03/17/toyota-prius-is-a-gas-guzzler-compared-to-the-bmw-520d/
Yes, it’s crazy we don’t have diesel here. Too bad the 5 series has such mediocre safety rating.
There is a diesel in all the great safe cars–Audi A4, A6, etc. But not in the USA. Very, very strange.
And how about let’s say a Cadillac CTS diesel, or a Ford Taurus? Lots of duh going on here.
My opinion is that the Big 3 US automakers deserve all the bad they get as they have been in lock step with Big Oil for decades and havn’t offered diesel alternatives, and are still way behind the curve in gearing up for what is so obvious. I think my next family car may very well be the BMW 520d, and I have no regrets about buying a foregin car from a company that seems to know what is going on.
I keep hearing that many European automakers are reluctant to bring diesels into the US market because of difficulties clearing emmission standards. Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t the emission standards in most W. European countries stiffer than those in the US?
Yes, they are, but they are also more sensible. In Europe, emissions regulations are about clean air, in the United States (especially eco-fanatic California) emissions regulations are about political posturing.
No, emissions standards here in Europe are a lot lower than they are in the US, especially when it comes to soot from diesels. The Euro V standards are due in late 2009 clean things up a bit (on new vehicles only) and the Euro VI standards in 2014 are almost the same as the US.
The problem with diesel is that the soot is very bad for human health. It is with good reason that it’s banned in California. I would ban it here too, if I could.
” in the United States (especially eco-fanatic California) emissions regulations are about political posturing.”
Steve- if it wasn’t for those ‘eco-fanatics’ back in the 60′s, the Clean Air Act might never have passed, and you’d be looking at skylines in the US similar through air like that choking the athletes in Beijing this summer.
Steve,
I guess I’m one of those eco-fanatics you complain about. We’ve only got one planet earth and if we foul it sufficiently life will get a lot tougher real soon. It seems that the market place, i.e., the price of gas and diesel is only one of the factors that can spur positive change and innovation. Sometimes government, we the people, in order to care for “the commons”, need to make some behavior illegal, like black and white restrooms or housing or sexual preference discrimination.
Why does the Prius get special status and so much hype if the 5- series is more “green”
I think that the fact that most diesels like my Audi A4 1.9TDI get 55mpg shows that the Prius is just an ego trip
the prius is better, is quieter and more layers to be an EV
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