What would you pay for a 100mpg Diesel electric Hybrid?

[GreenHornet]

Hey everyone,

I am curious as to what people would be willing to pay for a high mileage diesel electric hybrid?

I suppose some general specs need to be assumed first before one can make a good informed decision. So here goes some rough specs and feel free to add to them.

#1. 100/130 mpg City/Highway Combined mpg = 115mpg
#2. 100mph Top Speed
#3. Fuel Capacity 12 gal diesel tank for 1,200 mi Range or better
#4. Electric only range = 30-40 mi
#5. 0-60mph = 12 sec
#6. Seats 2 side by side


Based on this data I would most likely be willing to pay in the $25,000 - $28,000 USD range. While these are pretty ambitious specs the XL1 from VW shares some of them.

The VW XL1 is similar with a Top speed of just under 100mph and 0-60 @ 11.9sec. It also seats 2 side by side but claims an Imperial mpg of 261 or 217 US MPG basically 1 liter fuel consumption. It also gives you a 22mi electric only range from 4.5kwh battery pack. I am wondering what VW will price this at. Most likely it will be up over $50,000 USD I would be very surprised if it was under this mark.

[Frank Lee]

About $700.

[razor02097]

I see what you are asking but there is a lot one would have to assume...

Assuming the ride quality is only acceptable
Assuming the fit and finish as well as materials is only acceptable
Assuming there is a manual gearbox option
Assuming the manufacturer warranty is comparable to similar vehicles in its class.
Assuming it is large enough to fit at least some cargo
Assuming it is a plug in type hybrid (would have to be to get those numbers!)

I wouldn't pay more than $25k for it. Honda proved with the first gen insight a 2 seater hybrid despite the incredible fuel economy isn't going to sell very well due to it's inability to fit most American family's needs.

[Piwoslaw]

Will I get a discount if I'm willing to settle for only 80 mph top speed and 0-60 in more than 15 sec?

[Gealii]

as far as the OP i heard the xl1 was going to be anywhere from 40-60k usd with a limited run to see how well it would do but then again its 250mpg

[GreenHornet]

Originally Posted by razor02097

I see what you are asking but there is a lot one would have to assume...

Assuming the ride quality is only acceptable
Assuming the fit and finish as well as materials is only acceptable
Assuming there is a manual gearbox option
Assuming the manufacturer warranty is comparable to similar vehicles in its class.
Assuming it is large enough to fit at least some cargo
Assuming it is a plug in type hybrid (would have to be to get those numbers!)

I wouldn't pay more than $25k for it. Honda proved with the first gen insight a 2 seater hybrid despite the incredible fuel economy isn't going to sell very well due to it's inability to fit most American family's needs.

My thought was something similar to the XL1 in materials, style and quality.

Good point about the plug in feature!

I have seen the insights but do not know to much about them. They are pretty compact and I thought the fuel economy was around 55-60mpg But not sure to be honest. From my experiences anything with less than 5 seats does not sale near as well in the USA. When I worked for GM/Chevy many people would often comment on how it sucked the Volt could only seat 4 vs the Prius having the 5th seat. Seating and cargo here in the US definitely makes a big difference in peoples decisions.

[GreenHornet]

Originally Posted by Gealii

as far as the OP i heard the xl1 was going to be anywhere from 40-60k usd with a limited run to see how well it would do but then again its 250mpg

Ya I figured it would be around there but I am leaning more with the top end of your figure. I am sure it will sale no matter what the price is really. With that kind of fuel economy and performance there is nothing like it so they can pretty much set the bar.

[Cobb]

My budget for a new car is 17 grand unless I get one hell of a job. Id settle for a yaris, fit, scion, carolla, etc.

[ksa8907]

If you add 2 more doors and a rear bench, id say 35k wouldn't be bad. It would have to be competitive quality wise.

Wouldn't that just be a chevy volt?

[GreenHornet]

The Chevy Volt is a gas electric hybrid and it does get 38 miles on electric only. However it only gets 38mpg with its 1.4L gas engine on the freeway and around 32 city I believe. So the Volt is definitely not even close to the fuel economy of what I am talking about. The Volt also can seat 4 and I originally had the diesel hybrid as a 2 seater. I do not believe there is a 4-5 seater that has even close to 100mpg fuel economy but I could be wrong.