Oh no, I'm well aware of the EPA's role in making diesels harder to import. Anyone who has ever purchased a diesel knows how expensive that option usually is, and it's not because diesels are that much harder to manufacture. It's because getting them tested and approved is so expensive. European regulations are much more reasonable about particulates.
Regardless, the hybrid hype is mostly coming out of Toyota. US manufacturers looked at hybrids back in the late 80's and determined that they just didn't offer enough of an advantage to be worthwhile. Toyota decided to use the Prius to re-shape its image, and presto! Now hybrids are all the rage.
Give me a Jetta TDI over a Prius any day.
Now if someone *cough*VW*cough* would make a hybrid diesel *cough*Golf TDI hybrid*cough*... THAT would be amazing!
I'm all for MORE alternatives to what we have at the moment although the diesel wouldn't be my choice. Somehow I'll bet the EPA had some input from somewhere that is keeping us from seeing the newest batch of diesels that are all over Europe. More choices for American consumers can only be a positive.
Also knutliott I'd have to say that most of the hybrid "hype" is actually coming from General Motors but without an actual product available for those who wish to purchase them. We had a car show here a few weeks ago and they had a large hybrid display but didn't bother to tell anyone that you couldn't purchase them locally. If I were in the market for a hybrid, I'd go with the models that are actually proven to work and that would be Toyota.
The Micro Hybrid Drive (MHD) looks like something that would be plausible addition to the smart US lineup. There are a few hybrid drive cars already on US roads and the smart would be a logical alternative IMO. Better choice to configure with the current engine (or something similiar - the EU version's is smaller displacement I think) rather than dreaming about a diesel version.
Any comments? Just pondering...
- FRED "2 MUTCH"
Is it a car? Is it a mind set? It's BOTH!
Well, I would buy one IF the stability of the design is durable. It's not that huge of a boost in MPG to compromise longevity of any engine parts...
I would research it to death regarding dependability and decide from there... I think it might be a good thing if it actually holds up...
I configured at the end of april. There was nothing listed for the MHD option. If there would have been I would have ordered it. I am sure that I will be getting an 09 model. Any thoughts on this?
Maybe in '10. Though you probably would get some additional notice and opportunity to change your configuration if the offering changes. I got a call after configuration to verify that I did not want A/C.
I would buy a mhd in an instant. It isn't just the gas savings alone, but every little bit to encourage a cleaner solution helps. The amount of gas people burn idling is crazy.
Hopefully (in my case) by the time res# 1608 comes up for configuration, the MHD will be available here. I'd like to see a few other variants available as well, like turbo, diesel, etc.
I can wait - but not forever. It kills me that Europe gets all of these cool cars, and we get Buicks and Escalades over here.
It kills me that Europe gets all of these cool cars, and we get Buicks and Escalades over here.
Jeff in Atlanta
and don't forget "jkirsch" that we've had such 'cool cars' as the AMC Matador, Pacer and Gremlin as well as more recently the Pontiac Aztec that THEY are probably screaming for over in Europe!!!!
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