the Amorak?
Posted on 01/19/2014 7:58:40 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Are you thinking about buying a new fuel efficient car but are wary of hybrid technology? Fear not! There are dozens of cars on the market today that deliver great fuel economy without resorting to heavy and expensive battery packs. While most of these vehicles are designed to run on petroleum products (either conventional gasoline or diesel fuel), the Ford Focus SFE is a FlexFuel vehicle that can run on 100% domestic E85 ethanol fuel as well as conventional unleaded gasoline.
2014 Ford Focus five-door E85 holds a significant price advantage over regular unleaded gas in some parts of the country. It comes as no surprise that the top of the list is dominated by Volkswagen TDI models, as clean diesels are renown for their excellent highway MPGs. While this list is primarily 2013 models, we’ve included the remarkable 2014 Chevy Cruze Diesel … (continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at mpgomatic.com ...
Very interested in his economics.
He claims to underprice most motorcycles of similar powertrain with an actual car.
When the USA mandated ultra low sulfur (15ppm) the refining cost went up quite a bit.
But fear not, the EPA is mandating ultra low sulfur gasoline (10ppm) for 2017 so the price of gasoline will go up equivalently.
Thanks. I am looking for a 2dr coupe in order to have a back seat area to stow my folding WC. A three door hatchback would do ...
I own a 2009 Focus and average 37MPG. Not bad!
Well, yes.
Most people would in fact be much better off with a $10-15k used car that got less mpg.
That’s the electric/hybrid/diesel problem exactly. Miles really have to pile up fast to make them worth the extra cost.
Upscale vehicles bring better technology that quickly makes it way downscale. And who doesn’t like a little more personality in their drive?
That’s the Tesla scam; hope that the extra money brings the overall technology cost down. It’s just never seemed to work that way with electrics, but the results with internal combustion and overall drivability have been spectacular.
I saw a VW truck last week. I thought they had all turned to rust. It was parked, so I don’t know if it was running.
Many V6 engine problems.
However the local contingent of illegals seem to have developed (based on conversations @ Pick A Part) specific skills in rebuilding these.
So know what you're getting into.
> the Ford Focus SFE is a FlexFuel vehicle that can run on 100% domestic E85 ethanol fuel as well as conventional unleaded gasoline.
A coworker has one of these. E85 is a buck cheaper at the pump, but the fuel economy is a bit lower. He gets about 35 to the gallon, not bad, better than my 2004, but not like a hybrid. Thanks 2ndDivisionVet.
the Amorak?
I too spend sometime in auto and support, for a bit. I was told in the late 70's and the Diesel Rabbit showing up in the Michigan Marketplace, Diesel prices missttterriousllly went up quite a bit... Hmmm what a cowinkadink...
BTW IMHO Smart money is on CNG.
Do some research on the recent DOE type project, of going the next step with our current CNG infrastructure, i.e. natural gas to our homes. A low-cost low pressure pump and a normally shaped tank that holds 30% more than it is supposed too via nano-tech and other lung type internal absorbent materials @ a lower pressure is the goal. If they do it IMHO it is a game changer...
go here: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2012/07/move-20120712.html
We had a 1978 diesel Chevette AUTOMATIC that got 44 mpg. Best mileage car I ever drove. It helped me buy a lot more pizza in high school. Wasn’t the quietest ride, though.
Too bad the EPA criminalized high mileage cars like that. I have a 2007 manual Corolla that doesn’t come close.
Sonata is really good.
Nissan Altima is probably better.
The home fueling deal is currently the major issue I see.
I’d buy a nat gas Honda (made here in Indiana) but the compressors are currently expensive and unreliable.
But that has to be a solvable engineering problem.
VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI
That’s what I’m going to acquire this year.
My 08 F-250 gets 9.2mpg, sits on 37” tire and a 6” left. I have no problems with the MPG and would rather have the room to move then be constrained in a death trap.
These little shit boxes may get great MPG and good in a city environment but otherwise useless.
I have a degree in mechanical engineering, and the design in post #21 is a no- brainer. A trike with two in- line seats cuts WAY down on drag.
I imagine that the traditional objection has been human-factors. Its hard to talk to your passenger.
But this is really a second or third car and commuting vehicle. It makes perfect sense at that price point.
The 25 Highest MPG Non-Hybrids of 2013
That’s the idea of Flex-Fuel. Figure real world mpg on ethanol vs. gas and buy one or the other depending on the price difference.
Out here in the middle of Iowa, E85 is frequently cheaper mpg-wise, at least in some pickups and SUVs. A loaded Suburban or minivan might get only a 2 mpg hit on E85 vs. regular.
Right now, with regular under $3.00 most places, E85 isn’t worth it, but that can change fast when prices spike suddenly.
The diesel starts at 26.5k and a diesel automatic at 27.6k.
http://www.vw.com/portal/en/configurator?Context=Header#10306
Your regular automatic transmission with a lockup torque converter will probably be more efficient than a variable hydraulic one.
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