Hi,

just have a look:

http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=1566&fArticleId=3528666

(and, about the nickel for the batteries used in Hybrid-powered cars: http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/a...in_page_id=1770 )

IMO hybrids are BS.
If you want a car that takes less of a toll on the environment, but a diesel polo or lupo. But will the EPA ever realise this?

Hybrids are for LA celebrities who like to think they're doing something for the environment despite consuming crap at a ludicrous rate.:mr-t:

Ding ding ding!

I drive hybrids as fleet cars for work, the Prius gets horrible mileage, the Insight is a big better but not much and the Civic hybrid is probably about the same. 7-8L / 100 km is nothing too fancy. I can get 6.5 out of the Prius, but dirving the same way I get 5.0L out of my VW. I drive my 01 VW TDI like it is stolen and I cannot get under 45 mpg. It's just a scam to try and be 'enviro' until ULSD came in.

the dumb public wanted to stop buying cars. the industry being smart came up with a car that appeared green so the idiots would keep buying cars.

god forbid that we would make cars that stayed on the road for 20+ years with only normal maintenance.

bottom line...if the automotive industry is making money off of it, you can bet that the environment is not their first concern.

oh well, sucks to be a sheeple.

The funny thing is that the OEMs are pushing "End of Life Initiatives" that are supposed to ensure that automobiles do not generate toxic wastes is mismanaged at "End of Life". Looks like the Prius has the worst "End of Life" potential!

I drive hybrids as fleet cars for work, the Prius gets horrible mileage, the Insight is a big better but not much and the Civic hybrid is probably about the same. 7-8L / 100 km is nothing too fancy.

The interesting thing about the prius is the amount of effort toyota has gone to to save every last bit of fuel.
The aerodynamics have been seriously worked, it's CVT and it's got tiny wheels with special low-rolling-resistance tyres.
I'll bet if you put a VW lupo diesel engine in that you'd be using 2-3L/100km on the open road.

The interesting thing about the prius is the amount of effort toyota has gone to to save every last bit of fuel.
The aerodynamics have been seriously worked, it's CVT and it's got tiny wheels with special low-rolling-resistance tyres.
I'll bet if you put a VW lupo diesel engine in that you'd be using 2-3L/100km on the open road.

DING DING DING

why are we so afraid of small displacement common rail turbo diesels? seem like an awesome option to me.

Like the QSB3.3T cummins motor? Pulls like a six cylinder I understand. Lighter then a 4bt. I ready to do one when someone puts up the money. After I get some other projects done of course. That would be my choice iif its a common rail electronic.
Of course I prefer mechanical.

I have been saying this for awhile now....... No one ever believed me, even with proof they just follow the herd.

why are we so afraid of small displacement common rail turbo diesels? seem like an awesome option to me.

I'm considering one of these for a DD in the next few years.
http://www.ford.co.nz/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1132830627211&pagename=Page&c=DFYPage
Look for the TDCi wagon in the spec list.

Shame is the poverty pack interior. No climate control, single CD stereo, no alloy wheels, windup windows etc.

I've been doing the math and looks like my land cruiser with the 4BT and 35's will produce less greenhouse gas (CO2) on biodiesel than a Prius hybrid on gasoline/electricity. Biodiesel is about a 80% reduction in greenhouse gas making my 25 mpg cruiser the equivalent of a vehicle that gets 100 mpg. Biodiesel/diesel has more carbon (energy) per unit so there is a bigger greenhouse gas foot print but a prius even at 50 mpg doesn't touch that... I hope my math is right...