The 65mpg Ford the USA can't have

[SPIKER]

http://finance.yahoo.com/loans/article/105735/The-65-mpg-Ford-the-U.S.-Can't-Have

ford has already announced that in 2010 or sooner it will have a 50 state legal v6 direct injection available in small pickup.   I posted link to a nissan that meets exceeds all 2010 standards already going into production for sale in Japan in the bigger SUV/TRUCKS I thin k it was v6 as well.   Turbo, Direct Injection better diesels are coming so they are finally starting to pick up some better ideas.   I have been waiting but costs will be high no matter where it goes.

Mark

[John Mc]

Where are the smaller diesels in the US? It seems to me a 4 cyl would make a decent match with a small pickup (if you don't need to haul heavy loads), or even a minivan. I don't need blazing performance. If I can haul a half cord of green firewood, I'm happy. A full cord would be better, but I'd live with the half cord if it got me better mileage.

To me, the complexity of the systems in a hybrid is a problem, especially since once you move up in size from the Prius/Civic, the mileage increases over non-hybrid just aren't that impressive.

[StorminN]

Where are the smaller diesels in the US? It seems to me a 4 cyl would make a decent match with a small pickup (if you don't need to haul heavy loads), or even a minivan. I don't need blazing performance. If I can haul a half cord of green firewood, I'm happy. A full cord would be better, but I'd live with the half cord if it got me better mileage.

We've had a couple imported over the years (Isuzu/Chevy Luv, Toyota, VW Caddy), but none have caught on. Those early 80's VW Caddys still get 50mpg+.

To me, the complexity of the systems in a hybrid is a problem, especially since once you move up in size from the Prius/Civic, the mileage increases over non-hybrid just aren't that impressive.

What if it was something like this F-150 that gets 40mpg?

40mpg+ F-150 hybrid

-Norm.

[johnjbc]

This is a presentation on why diesel costs more, and what to expect in the future.
Gas may be cheaper in the long run.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/presentations/2005/dflvehicles/dflvehicles_files/frame.html

[zopi]

Watch...the new diesel Jetta and the little bomb that Mercedes is going to put out will eat their lunch..i'd imagine this car will make it to the stated sooner or later.

I have a friend who has one of the 50 mpg Jetta diesels...loves it.

[John Mc]

What if it was something like this F-150 that gets 40mpg?

40mpg+ F-150 hybrid

Impressive. That's more truck than I need, but at 40 MPG, it's a whole lot better than the small gas pickups I've been considering.

The usefulness of MPG as a measure drops a lot when you're dealing with a vehicle that runs in part on electricity generated from another source. Still, it's cheaper (and in many cases cleaner) than generating it from the vehicle's gas engine. If I ever get around to putting up a win turbine or PV, this would dovetail nicely.

John Mc

[moonhill]

I did not see the cost of the conversion for the F-150, is that known?  Tim

[SPIKER]

MANY of you are probably already a member here but this is a interesting link to some info about getting more mileage out of the car/truck with different mods ect with some interesting links ect. 
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/

there is one on page 8 talking about 100+MPG carb & how it works with links even...  it SOUNDS good but I only read about 1/3 of the link in that part.

the tractor ending conversion post. it is LONG but has some good info plus some BS politics as usual at this time of the year...


Mark M