Lousy MPG with new TDIs?
OP: The sticker estimates have to be taken with a grain of salt (or a pound of it).
The reason I say this is because of what you are trying to do with the fuel that is being bought (and the variations)
There is Variation in the Cetane levels in Diesel Fuels, some are better (more cetane), some are worse.
There is Variation in Driving Style. Your own Fuely record for "The Red Car" shows the last fill up in January 2014. At that time "The Red Car" was getting approx 30 MPGs.....
There is Variation in Locale, Ambient air temperature of 0C/32F makes a difference to the fuel to air to give a 'hot' burn, yes it gets boosted by the turbo, (and it does have a Higher Density of O2 when colder), but that [the ambient temp] also slows the reaction time of the ignition.
Now, the mandate to Ultra-Low Sulphur fuel has increased the fuel consumption by 5%. (or conversely a 5% hit on the MPGs), from the 2003 Model year to the next Decade.
So, while the sticker shock is still there, it has moved from the Price Column over to the MPG column.....
You are buying
LESS of a performer (By MPGs) than you were before, But you have not measured how 'Clean' that the Fuel / Air etc., is contributing to CO2 gasses with the '
New and Improved' model that you can purchase today.
PS, I was looking at a
New TDI 2 and a half years ago. I
Chose an older '99 as my return to VW, instead of the '
New and Improved' model at that time. I upgraded to an '01 and sold the '99. Same (almost) engine, better styling and 2 years newer.
[For Comparison - this is what was written at '
WallStCheatSheet.com'
http://wallstcheatsheet.com/automob...diesel-cars-for-2014-and-2015.html/?a=viewall ]
According to Hertz, A small Ford Fiesta has a rating of 107 CO2 Emissions, and has a mileage rating of 20 km/Litre RUG. (This is equal to 5 L / 100 km) or what I am getting today with my '01 TDI. Edit: The '01 Average for CO2 emissions in Europe was ~179 g/Km ;
http://www.auto123.com/en/news/new-study-on-co2-emissions-shows-growing-problem?artid=143463 . This implies that the air is now 40% less full of C02 per Km travelled. That is a significant improvement. The Cost in performance is offset by the actual Total-Cost of Ownership.
The secondary market for an auto is a good indicator of what it is worth after 3 years. IMHO
Conclusion: The MPGs are less, but the air is cleaner, and in smog challenged atmospheres such as the fish-bowl of Southern CA, every Fuel-burning car removed from the roads, makes the air cleaner. (The CARB effect)