Details on the new VW TDI engine at the TDIFest

[jollyGreenGiant]

I love the product and would work for VWoA given the right opportunity. My response above simply reinforces the society we live in where 99% of companies provide the absolute minimum amount of info to their customers in an attempt to keep whatever cards they have hidden in case they need them to strengthen their game. We need a good ole homecoming back to the customer is always right values, goodwill parts and labor, parts price reductions, loyalty bonus incentive programs... I've seen VWoA and VW in general from all sides and just hope that they pull it around on the management front beause like I said, the product is fantastic.

 

[tiguando]

The product is excellent but they need to offer it here in the US not just in Europe. Unfortunately past experience has taught us not to expect much. The latest comments from Volkswagen's Winterkorn and Hallmark show us that little has changed.

 

[BanzaiRider]

As long as car reviewers and customers focus on power, so will the auto companies. Nothing new here.

Jason

How can the customer focus on something else then power when there is nothing else on the market and in publicity. Why do Europeans have a 4 cyl gaz and a 4 cyl diesel offering for the RAV4 and in North America what Toyota offers is a 4 cyl gaz and a 6 cyl gaz? If they were offering the same two engines as in Europe I'm convinced a lot of consumers would buy the 4 cyl diesel but no, instead here they come up with a 6 cyl! Same thing with the CRV, same with many Ford models, etc... It's not that the consumers focus only on power, it's that the car companies make sure the marketing and offering brainwashes the consumers in thinking that the bigger engine is what will get on smile on their face.

 

[oilhammer]

How can the customer focus on something else then power when there is nothing else on the market and in publicity. Why do Europeans have a 4 cyl gaz and a 4 cyl diesel offering for the RAV4 and in North America what Toyota offers is a 4 cyl gaz and a 6 cyl gaz? If they were offering the same two engines as in Europe I'm convinced a lot of consumers would buy the 4 cyl diesel but no, instead here they come up with a 6 cyl! Same thing with the CRV, same with many Ford models, etc... It's not that the consumers focus only on power, it's that the car companies make sure the marketing and offering brainwashes the consumers in thinking that the bigger engine is what will get on smile on their face.

And sadly that 3.5L GR series V6 in the new RAV4 is downright stupid...the thing is TOO powerful. That engine slings a Highlander/RX350 around with ease...even DEtuned in the RAV4 is is just too much.

 

[TheLongshot]

And sadly that 3.5L GR series V6 in the new RAV4 is downright stupid...the thing is TOO powerful. That engine slings a Highlander/RX350 around with ease...even DEtuned in the RAV4 is is just too much.

Yet, every time, the reviewer is probably going to select the V6.

cars.com review:

My test vehicle came loaded with an optional 263-horsepower V-6, and it sold me. If I had to make the choice between the base four-cylinder and the higher-powered and higher-priced V-6 — roughly a $2,000 price increase — I'd take the V-6.

The best thing about the V-6 engine? It's not the performance, it's the mileage. The EPA-estimated mileage is 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. That's comparable to many four-cylinder models on the market and on par with the four-cylinder RAV4, which gets 24/30 mpg.

Wow, let's celebrate the fact that it gets mediocre mileage.

Jason

 

[oilhammer]

Yep, that is just sad...really sad. A little car-based SUV/CUV, whatever, that has more HP than the famed "5-point-0" Mustang is deemed a necessity and 21/28 MPG which sounds optimistic is considered a good thing. You're right, our system and the journalists are tainting people's views.

And you know what is really scary? That 263hp is the lesser version. There is a twin-injected 306hp version of that engine in the Lexus IS350 !!

My boss just recently bought a RAV4, with the 2.4L base 4 cylinder...and even with a slushbox AND being AWD, it still gets with the program quite nicely.

 

[eli]

it's funny when people think they know what the mpg will be for a model yet-to-be-offered in USA.
almost as funny when people say "VWOA's logic is flawed".
As if some shmuck on this message board is going to be able to "do the math" better than VWOA's financial geeks.
imho, one key aspect to knowledge is to recognize that which is un-knowable.

 

[tiguando]

As if some shmuck on this message board is going to be able to "do the math" better than VWOA's financial geeks.

Remind me, when was the last time VWoA turned a profit?

 

[istewart]

it's funny when people think they know what the mpg will be for a model yet-to-be-offered in USA.
almost as funny when people say "VWOA's logic is flawed".
As if some shmuck on this message board is going to be able to "do the math" better than VWOA's financial geeks.
imho, one key aspect to knowledge is to recognize that which is un-knowable.

Financial geeks aren't infallible. Or maybe you'd like to buy some subprime mortgage-backed securities? And the marketing geeks who really run the show sure as hell aren't infallible either.