Comments on: Audi to launch TT TDI

By: Veda

Veda — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:45:49 +0000

Ronan: I just came back from Europe and it’s true that diesel has become a fashion there.

CA36GTP: I actually enjoy the new TT a lot. How is it crap? Compared to what?

By: CA36GTP

CA36GTP — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:00:45 +0000

Put any engine you want in it. The TT is still crap.

By: Ronan

Ronan — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:39:03 +0000

And yes, diesel motors are very technological today. It’s the only way they can be usable. If the money spent on this tech had been spent on gasoline motors, there would be no match. And this technicality has a price : fragility. The days when a diesel could make miles and miles are over, turbos are fragile, aluminium motors are less strong, etc. We don’t make it to last anymore.

By: Ronan

Ronan — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:32:06 +0000

I’m French, living in the suburbs of Paris. Believe me, you don’t want the dieselisation of your automotive park. If you don’t have diesel today, it’s because it produces toxic particles. We are dying because of these in here, especially in cities, but everybody look the other way. What you should buy, is reasonable cars. Forget about the V8 and the four, five liters motors or more : that’s your problem. Forget about buying a 3 tons SUV when you just go to work with it. Diesel is not a solution.

And for those who fantasize about the R10, if it wins it’s because of the regulations in Le Mans Series. If gas and diesel motors had the same rule (wich would only be fair), the R10 would just be ridiculous. The same is happening in WTCC series, then it will be WRC, and one day even Formula 1.

Diesel is fashion in here, poor us, so all is done to make it look better.

By: Syrax

Syrax — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:51:07 +0000

the R10 is not a production car…it could have 10,000HP, but it wouldn’t matter. the fact that the R10 kicks ass (cause it does) does not means the TT will.

By: Syrax

Syrax — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:47:40 +0000

TTTDI sounds like the name of an union ot an IT company.

By: fan

fan — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:40:41 +0000

selling diesels in sportscars IS hard – not because they dont perform, but because people still got the “diesel are slow stinky trucks and tractors” thin in mind.
guess why porsche doesnt even thonk about using diesels.. they would if they saw a chance of making people buy them, but they DONT.

pity, though… diesel technology as of today is way more advanced than the gastech… (and yes, the R10 KICKS ass, but people still dont find it to be sporty… for whatever reason… maybe people are just dumb…)

By: AU_354

AU_354 — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:36:49 +0000

swamprat…. you obviously are uneducated… as I said above… The Audi R10 Lemans Race Car has a diesel engine!!! Find me a car that can beat it! That car is kicking ass and is undefeated!!!

The A4, A6, Q5, Q7 are planned for the U.S. within the next two years.

By: swamprat

swamprat — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:08:55 +0000

That’s pretty dumb. Diesels don’t belong in sports cars. Why not in an A4 or an A6? Of course, we won’t get it here!!!

By: golf4me

golf4me — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:28:34 +0000

Of course, we won’t get it here.

There was a great article today on the cost-effectiveness of Hype-rids. It wasn’t pretty, AND it didn’t even include the eventual cost of replacing those batteries. I’ll take a diesel ANY day over current hype-rids. A lot less complexity, no stupid & heavy battery packs taking up space either. God, I hope people realize how stupid they were 20 years from now. Like those people who had vans with shag carpeting back in the 70’s!

By: autonut

autonut — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:35:49 +0000

I am not sure that VW or Audi have the best diesel. As of last year 60% of all BMWs are shipped with diesels (everywhere but US). Benz always had great diesel technology. In 2004 or 2005 the best 4 cyl engine in Europe was made by Honda. Diesels are hot.
The argument that price difference between diesel and Otto engine is hard to justify in US is bogus one. Diesel cost about the same as premium gas (10-12% premium over regular) but engine 25-30% more economical Of course you will need some mileage to payoff the difference in original cost only if vehicle with diesel depreciate faster then with gasoline engine. In reality diesel (not GM made ones in 80s) depreciate less then gasoline engines. Second buyer of diesel realizes inherent quality of the engine just like the original one. Benz cost 5K more with diesel on second hand market then with gasoline engine, yet original price difference in only 1K. VW jetta was 3 K more on the secondary market, the price of diesel $2,200. Same holds true for diesel trucks (not Fords with problems). The net effect: diesel is far more cost effective.

By: LP640

LP640 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:42:40 +0000

^he got you on that meanpants the R10 is kicking ass in LM

By: AU_354

AU_354 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:30:49 +0000

Meanpants555…
Diesel sportscar?… find me a car that can beat the R10 TDI LeMans racecar then we’ll talk! This car kicks ass big time!

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:14:52 +0000

How’s this any surprise? Volkswagen has always had diesels, and Audi has always used Volkswagen engines.

By: meanpants555

meanpants555 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:52:35 +0000

Something ’sexy’ to spearhead Audi’s foray into selling diesels to us Yanks.

It’s a tough sell, a diesel sports car…

By: LP640

LP640 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:31:13 +0000

Audi make the best diesels, Period.

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:29:04 +0000

The premium for the motor over the gas motor is what kills U.S. sales.
The difference is that diesel is cheaper then gas in Europe(gov’t taxes on gas is much higher). While in U.S. they are so evenly priced it is hard to justify extra initial cost at purchase.
Some mag had an article that calculated the cost of purchase vs mpg and how long it would take to recoup extra money spent on diesel. It was for a full size GMC 2500, they figured about 175,00 to 220,000 miles.
I would like to see same compaison done an a VW Jetta or similar size car.

By: hbcbob3

hbcbob3 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:53:14 +0000

the damn europas should be sending diesels this way…they get great mileage and they get faster and more common every year. the difference between my ‘07 duramax and my dad’s old ‘97 6.5L gmc diesel is night and day. there is just oodles and oodles of torque to be had from the new diesels being made today and horsepower ratings are always on the rise too.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:42:31 +0000

Hard to argue with Audi when it comes to diesel technology. One day we’ll see cars like this over here.

By: 441Zuke

441Zuke — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:40:52 +0000

but is it quick