Slashdot Mirror

https://www.theguardian.com/bu...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/c...

It's not my magic way. It's VW's magic way. You do know they admitted to this don't you?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/...

http://www.bbc.com/news/busine...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/v...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-n...

So far, the US government has launched a massive campaign against VW, looting billions of dollars and severely damaging the company's until recently almost spotless reputation. However, there is plenty of evidence that most other car manufacturers, including the 2.5 US domestic majors, have been pulling similar tricks for years. Except from a few stern words from the German transportation minister and a few 'voluntary' recalls, there have been exactly zero consequences. No suits, no fines, no withdrawals, no buybacks, no criminal prosecution, no exaggerated claims from government officials, no media outcry. Nothing.

The other manufacturers seem to get away with it scott-free, even though the cheating is often relatively easy to detect and the NOx emissions are in many cases several times larger than from the VW EA189. The simply continue to deny even after getting caught, or they attempt to cover it up, and government authorities let it pass, or even help covering it up. Meanwhile, they all get to steal sales from the scapegoat, the only manufacturer that actually admitted and recalled the affected vehicles (except in the US, where the authorities are dragging their feet) and, ironically, makes the cars with the lowest real-world NOx emissions.

The anti-VW campaign has nothing to do with the environment and everything with economic interests. The Americans found something and exploited it to the maximum extent in every possible way, just like they did with Toyota's 'sudden unintended acceleration'.

It isn't US only issue, they've messed things up in other countries as well.
3.6m european cars need hardware fix:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/v...

Before that, there was (mostly unnoticed) "oscar scandal" with ADAC rigging votes in favour of VW Golf:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/774a...

VW is rather "known" in German auto industry for having cars that perform on par (e.g. VW Sharan vs Ford S-Max) yet are regarded as way better cars by many journalists "for some reason".

> This is unlike Germany, where the only quality level is "high", and you pay for German manufacture. German manufacturers won't provide you with a lower cost-tier and a lesser-duty-cycle product.

German cars have recently had lousy reliability and miserably high repair costs. It's an incredibly poisonous combination. The only way I'd own one is via a lease. As soon as the warranty is up you are in for a world of pain.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/c...

You're right.

The answer to better MPG than the pitiful excuse that currently flies in the US, however, is far cheaper available. It's called "import", and it's available from just about any country that isn't the US.
Anecdote: I drove about 1300 km this weekend (800 miles), and I averaged at 5.1 l/100km. That's 46 MPG right of the bat. (and that's measured, in the magic world of fuel efficiency numbers it gets over 65 mpg...)

I think if the US can close a 20MPG gap in one day (by importing that car), then 13 years of improvement ought to suffice for the remaining 9 MPG.
Or we can settle for the magical numbers made up by the fuel efficiency measuring fairies, in which case all you need to do is get that car and you're there.

"The Mini Cooper is an example of a brand redone, but bettered, by BMW."

Rubbish, The "Mini Cooper" as reimagined by BMW is a fat slug designed for Bavarians and the US market.

Compared with the Issigonis Mini, its an appaling 21st century lump, with the style and visual appeal of a road accident. Like the current "Fiat 500" its an insult to the vehicle it allegedly draws its inspiration from. Here's a thought for you. I followed a BMW "Mini" yesterday. Between it and me was an original, 44 year old Mini. If the BMW had stopped suddenly, its odds on that the Mini following it could have ended up INSIDE the BMW without any problems. Ok a bit farfetched for a BMW "Cooper", but someone DID fit a Mini bodyshell inside the most bloated BMW "Mini" of all, the Mini Countryman.

Mini comparison: BMW vs Morris

It really does make you weep.

Seat ibiza gets 97.4mpg and it's a real car:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/237415/seat_ibiza_ecomotive.html

Ferrari and Bentley have ruled diesels out, but you could consider preordering a Lamborghini diesel, assuming they go through with it.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/202144/electric_elise_is_a_socket_rocket.html

Much cheaper (in a couple of years), better performance, better range.

Hmm,

At least in Europe I have a VW Polo Blue Motion cost around 4k less, so 8k USD, less than a Prius. Produces less CO2 per 100km without the need for the pesky batteries.

Worst case we are seeing 56 US mpg in and around town and 66 US mpg along the motor way. (66 / 80 UK miles per gallon)

Mind you my next car will hopefully be a desiel hybrid which will happily do 100 UK MPG.

And a few others I failed to mention earlier: Renault Grand Scenic or Espace, Citroen Xsara Picasso or the new C4 Picasso, Citroen C8,Peugot 807, Fiat Ulysse, Lancia Phedra, Mazda 5, Mercedes B Class. All powered by clean turbo diesel engines (they all meet _and_ exceed EURO-IV emission standards).

they come in plenty different sizes these days.
Ford
Renault
VW
Skoda

Hear me out on this. The new boom will be automation.

Cars that drive themselves, house hold robots, robotic lawnmowers, expert systems, and better search engines etc etc.

Put your stocks into these areas... Its the next big hype because VCs will see these things and be mystified and start hurling wads of cash at the next roomba.

If that's the problem, then BMW may have solved it: they used a capacitor to power the electric motor of this hybrid prototype.
This should be easier to implement, require fewer parts, etc. than adding an air engine.