With the ability to drive nearly 50 miles on a single tank of gasoline, that's a huge improvement over every other car out there, even the standard Corollas or Civics. Or is it?
Urban legend has it that Europe has certain diesel cars able to go 80 or more miles on a single gallon of diesel. But let's be honest, those are myths, mostly from wishful diesel enthusiasts who want nothing more than a complete fundamental change in the automotive world.
However, there is no question that diesel fuel is more efficient and, in the case of new biodiesels, more eco-friendly than gasoline. Current hybrid systems use the inferior gasoline engine combined with an electric motor. But what if we put a diesel engine with an electric motor, wouldn't that be even better than the infamous Prius? Hold on to your socks. It's expected that certain TDI (turbo diesel) Hybrids can, and will, acheive around 70 mpg, and that's only with the first generation. By comparison, the first generation of Prius to hit the US market had a combined fuel economy rating of 41. Now, less than ten years later, fuel economy has increased 20% to 50 mpg.
With European automakers planning to bring more diesels to the United States, it only makes sense that a Diesel Hybrid is inevitable. It's time for Americans to demand that diesel cars make it to our shores. With at least 60 mpg (and that's probably a conservative figure), there's reason for manufacturers to push Diesel Hybrids.
Volvo is already working on their own Diesel Hybrid, and by the looks of the picture, it appears that Volkswagen is too. Stay tuned, America.
Thanks for reading.
-Biggs
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