Well, with the eco-crazy around here, cars (and especially leased ones) have to be environmental friendly and efficient, first and foremost. Which is a PITA if you want to lease a sporty one. Who cares about stupid stuff like a Toyota Prius, which is financed for more than half through taxes by now. And, while very interesting technically, the focus is on slow and efficiency. Although the next model will have a bigger ICE, but still no diesel...
Anyway, VAG (Volkswagen) really got it this time. They introduced some sleek engines, like the 1.8 TSI: 160 hp, 250 Nm, from 1500 up to 6200 rpm it delivers. That's pretty good and sporty, to European standards. Or the 1.4 TSI 118kw: 150 hp, 240 Nm, and it doesn't only have a turbocompressor, but a mechanical compressor as well. Now that's the ticket! Small, low emissions, efficent and high power.
And how about the DSG automatic transmission: it's like having two gearboxes, the first one with shifts 1, 3 and 5, and the other with 2, 4, and 6. Both with their own clutch, and all computer controlled. So, if you start in first gear, the second gearbox is already in second, but not yet engaged. If it becomes time to shift, just slam the second coupling down, while tearing the plates of the first apart. Not only much more sporty than a regular automatic, but even better than a manual, and more efficient than both to boost.
I'm pretty impressed by the Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI DSG. It's a great, sporty car, low emissions, efficient, yada, yada. Great value for money. Except, it only offers AWD on the combi (5-door) model (bah).
And even the 1.4 TSI 118pk, while very efficent and even having a "most efficent" label, doesn't beat the average turbo-diesle on efficiency or emissions. The car gets that label when below 140 g/km for petrol, while you need to get below 90 g/km for diesel, which will carry you more miles on that liter at the same time. Even with the required exhaust-cleaners for the diesel. Pretty stupid, if you ask me. What is behind making rules like that?
With all-electric (Tesla Model S) still out in the future, and our governments demanding we only buy and lease very small, cheap, efficent and especially hybrid cars, you get those hybrid cars almost for free when leasing one, while you pay more for the efficient turbo petrol and diesel ones. They're more efficient, cheaper, lighter, greener and all that, but you'll still pay more. Really.
Ah, well, I guess no politicians and only a small percentage of the public knows or cares about what's underneath, looks and hype are everything.
Anyway, VAG (Volkswagen) really got it this time. They introduced some sleek engines, like the 1.8 TSI: 160 hp, 250 Nm, from 1500 up to 6200 rpm it delivers. That's pretty good and sporty, to European standards. Or the 1.4 TSI 118kw: 150 hp, 240 Nm, and it doesn't only have a turbocompressor, but a mechanical compressor as well. Now that's the ticket! Small, low emissions, efficent and high power.
And how about the DSG automatic transmission: it's like having two gearboxes, the first one with shifts 1, 3 and 5, and the other with 2, 4, and 6. Both with their own clutch, and all computer controlled. So, if you start in first gear, the second gearbox is already in second, but not yet engaged. If it becomes time to shift, just slam the second coupling down, while tearing the plates of the first apart. Not only much more sporty than a regular automatic, but even better than a manual, and more efficient than both to boost.
I'm pretty impressed by the Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI DSG. It's a great, sporty car, low emissions, efficient, yada, yada. Great value for money. Except, it only offers AWD on the combi (5-door) model (bah).
And even the 1.4 TSI 118pk, while very efficent and even having a "most efficent" label, doesn't beat the average turbo-diesle on efficiency or emissions. The car gets that label when below 140 g/km for petrol, while you need to get below 90 g/km for diesel, which will carry you more miles on that liter at the same time. Even with the required exhaust-cleaners for the diesel. Pretty stupid, if you ask me. What is behind making rules like that?
With all-electric (Tesla Model S) still out in the future, and our governments demanding we only buy and lease very small, cheap, efficent and especially hybrid cars, you get those hybrid cars almost for free when leasing one, while you pay more for the efficient turbo petrol and diesel ones. They're more efficient, cheaper, lighter, greener and all that, but you'll still pay more. Really.
Ah, well, I guess no politicians and only a small percentage of the public knows or cares about what's underneath, looks and hype are everything.