Fuel-sipping diesel European minivans - is one right for you?
It's back to school season and, since buses aren't available everywhere, for some people it's time to drive the kids to their classes. With all those important soccer football
[Source: Auto News]
| Model | Engine size (cm3) | Horsepower | l/100 km (mpg U.S.) | Seats | MRSP Price (Germany) |
| Honda FR-V 2.2i-CTDi Comfort | 2,204 | 140 | 6.3 (37.3) | 6 | €26,350 |
| Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCi Trend | 1,997 | 116 | 6.2 (37.9) | 7 | €31,000 |
| Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi Trend | 1,997 | 116 | 6.2 (37.9) | 5 | €29,250 |
| Mazda 5 2.0 CD Comfort | 1,998 | 110 | 6.1 (38.6) | 5 | €22,500 |
| Kia Carens 2.0 CRDi | 1,991 | 140 | 6.1 (38.6) | 5 | €22,110 |
| VW Sharan BlueMotion Trendline | 1,968 | 140 | 6.0 (39.2) | 5 | €32,550 |
| Citroën C4 Grand Picasso HDi 110 FAP Style | 1,560 | 109 | 5.9 (39.9) | 7 | €25,000 |
| Opel Zafira 1.7 CDTI ecoFlex | 1,686 | 110 | 5.7 (41.3) | 7 | €24,290 |
| Ford C-Max 2.0 TDCi Ghia | 1,997 | 136 | 5.7 (41.3) | 5 | €25,500 |
| Citroën C4 Picasso HDi 110 FAP Style EGS6 | 1,560 | 109 | 5.7 (41.3) | 5 | €24,600 |
| VW Touran BlueMotion Conceptline | 1,896 | 105 | 5.4 (43.6) | 5 | €24,250 |
| Seat Altea XL 1.9 TDI Reference | 1,896 | 105 | 5.4 (43.6) | 5 | €21,790 |
| Renault Scénic 1.5 dCi FAP Avantage | 1,461 | 103 | 5.2 (45.2) | 5 | €23,360 |
| Citroën Xsara Picasso HDi 110 FAP Style | 1,560/td> | 109 | 5.7 (41.3) | 5 | €23,250 |
| Ford C-Max 1.6 TDCi Ambiente | 1,560 | 90 | 4.8 (49) | 5 | €20,750 |
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ccweems 9:21AM (9/09/2008)
The S-Max gets better mileage than what is listed. It gets better than 45 mpg (US) at 80 mph with 3 on board.
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anaknipedro 9:27AM (9/09/2008)
Sounds great, now how do we get one of these to the U.S.?
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VW JUNKY 10:06AM (9/09/2008)
Yes this is what I want, killer milage in a van! We won't give up our 06 Town and Country (paid for) till we can get one of these honneys! And unitill something can beat my 01 Jetta TDI by a massive number I don't see getting rid of it either.
So AMerican Car Dealers listen up, Get some real MPG cars here as soon as possible!
now back to your local forcast.
E
Hilary Green 10:13AM (9/09/2008)
you don't =(
Hilary Green
http://www.carsforgirls.com
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VW Junky 10:59AM (9/09/2008)
Yea, we want one, the van is for my wife a girl. People put down the mini van but with 2 kids and one on the way I would not do without. very nice ride, my 4ft 11ich wife says it is the only vehicle she can see out of ever. Vans are usefull, If you have 2 kids or less or are single then get a Smart.
Other wise I need a big van and want one that gets great milage. We get 25 on the highway now with the big Chrysler.
not too bad but 45 mpg would be killer.
later
E
Phil L. 10:25AM (9/09/2008)
The problem: I don't believe any of these diesel engines can meet US T2B5 emissions. Anyone know how similar European VW diesels are to their now-50-state-approved TDI?
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ccweems 12:03PM (9/09/2008)
While they forced refiners to get the sulfur out of our diesel our cetane (same as octane in gas) is way below what is used in Europe. Imagine how hard it would be to meet US emission standards with kerosene or white gas? That is sort of the challenge European car makers have with certifying diesels in the US.
The US government could do us a favor (for a change) by establishing a cetane requirement for diesel. While they are at it why not just adopt European emission and safety (maybe kill the pedestrian part) standards so that cars could freely crisscross the Atlantic?
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Noz 12:04PM (9/09/2008)
You don't.
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Michael Hippenhammer 3:00PM (9/09/2008)
Drilling for more oil is stupid and short sighted unless you cut consumption first or at least at the same time. In two years we could significantly reduce consuption by allowing the American diesels bound for Europe . We can deal with the emissions over time. We just don't have time to wait for the drilling of new oil to come in 10 years. In ten years gas will be about $10 a gallon. The price of oil has come down because we are driving less, efficiency will do the same thing.
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Jeff H in TX 5:55PM (6/04/2009)
All the windyfoggery about emissions standards is shorthand for "we're in bed with Big Oil USA and don't want Americans to have fuel efficient cars".
Bank on it...the standards are NOT THAT different, not really.
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