TopGear.com America high mpg project (regeared, aeromodded diesel Rabbit)

[ChrstphrR]

Why would anyone think this project was aimed exclusively at Prius owners?

Not everyone has, or more importantly, wants to spend $22k on a new Prius, or $22-25k on a 2009 TDI, for that matter.

I paid less than half (okay, as of this writing *two* more payments and I own it outright) that amount for my 2000 TDI.

One of my friends paid, total, about $3k for his '86 diesel Rabbit, which costs him nothing but insurance, fuel, and maintenance each month. He didn't send 2200 lbs of metal and plastics to scrapheap, nor chuck it away like a 2-4 year old used tissue like those that lease their rides.

He'd actually be the sort that would consider restoring his car, but swap in a TDI engine at $3-4k keep his little miser going, when the original 1.6L eventually (if ever?) kicks the bucket.

His car, and to a lesser degree, newer-ish cars like my almost decade old one, are part of that majority of cars on the road -- only 8-10% of the cars on the road are replaced with newer ones each year.

Not everyone is interested in the fool's errand of buying new throwaway cars and taking the depreciative financial hit for the sake of slightly F/E gains or eco-statement snobbery.

And yes... as you might tell, I'm not participating here for bragging rights ... I'm doing it for frugality firstmost. Spending $1000 a month* on higher car payments, higher insurance, to save relatively few dollars on fuel cost isn't sound thinking, in my view.

* Thinking of the costs of financing fully a 22k car + insurance ... yes, you would be nearing that amount...

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by ChrstphrR

. . .
Not everyone has, or more importantly, wants to spend $22k on a new Prius, or $22-25k on a 2009 TDI, for that matter. . . .

Hybrid electric vehicles have been sold in the USA since 2000 and there is an active market of used hybrids. The situation is even stranger overseas where the NHW10, the true first generation, Japanese language only, Prius have shown up in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. There is a growing pool of used hybrids ranging from the insanely efficient but small Insight through some pretty large ones. In 2005, I bought a 2003 Prius for $17.3k and have never looked back, 58,000 miles later and 52.2 MPG.

I have no problem if someone wants a particular engine, transmission, or body style. It is their money and by golly, I wish them well. But fair is fair, look at Ebay and there are plenty of used hybrids being bought and sold.

Now I can appreciate the effort it takes to rework an ordinary car into something that gets better mileage. But folks also have the option of buying a used hybrid and building on that base ... kinda like what I'm doing with mine. It is not rocket science, just different.

Bob Wilson

[Deezler]

Originally Posted by Clev

The TGA project car uses a recent TDi engine. If it achieves its goals in a 1,900 pound Rabbit, VW (and presumably others) should also be able to achieve it in a safer 2,200 pound Polo-sized car, perhaps at 8 or 9 seconds to 60 (still very good for the size/price class.)

I refer you to VWs new Golf GTD. 44.4 mpg and 0-60 in 8.1 sec, fully emissions compliant. This is one clean burning sports car. I want.

New Volkswagen Golf GTD

[Cd]

Is this project dead ?
I was looking forward to seeing the aero mods.

[Frank Lee]

I saw 'em on their site.

[Cd]

Hats off to these guys - they did it !!
Eighty three miles per gallon, and nought to sixty in 7 seconds.

Now ... about that 'sexy Italian styling " ............Hmmm.

( It needs work )

I saw that they did some quick duct taped wheel skirts for the back, and rounded the grille area a bit, but where are any other aero mods such as a Kammback ?

[Cd]

I'm not seeing a link to the video where they talk to the professor about the aerodynamics of the car.

[roflwaffle]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

Now I can appreciate the effort it takes to rework an ordinary car into something that gets better mileage. But folks also have the option of buying a used hybrid and building on that base ... kinda like what I'm doing with mine. It is not rocket science, just different.

To be fair, for a DIY'er, it's cheaper to mod an older car to get better mileage than it is to mod a hybrid. They're just too new. If we fast forward ten years, then I think the cost of a hybrid may be comparable, maybe better, but as of now even the wrecked ones go for too much IMO. Someone (would wasn't pimping products from all sorts of different companies and was budget minded) could likely build a high mpg older compact that could do 0-60mph in whatever time w/ a lot less cash than it would cost to do the same thing w/ a hybrid, more or less because hybrids are newer and because of that cost more.

[bwilson4web]

Hi,

I just learned Top Gear USA was 'canned' (explains why I could not find it on cable) ... apparently early this year. Stuff happens but I'm wondering what happened to the team? And the project car?

Just curious,
Bob Wilson

[SVOboy]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

Hi,

I just learned Top Gear USA was 'canned' (explains why I could not find it on cable) ... apparently early this year. Stuff happens but I'm wondering what happened to the team? And the project car?

Just curious,
Bob Wilson

Good question, would be a neat car to have running around.