OT Euro Diesels, Amazed by a Ford Focus Options

[Nick]

Just got back from a month long R&R in Italy and France and I must say I was amazed by the quality of our econo box rental car and a little annoyed that the Europeans seem to get much better products from Ford than we do in the small car category. We were driving around in a Ford focus diesel that was so refined that you couldn’t tell it was a diesel at idle or cruise. Very torque fast car with 4 people and there luggage. Handled great on the twisty roads of Tuscany and was rock solid at 160 KPH + that Italians cruise down the highway at. Returned over 50 mpg over the entire trip. For daily driver a nice diesel Ford like this would be great. Shame they are not available in the US it really was eye opening how good diesels have become. Why have the complexity of a hybrid when a simple diesel gets great MPG is fast comfortable etc. Maybe the US will get over its diesel phobia.

Nick

[yenningComity]

Eh, I think it is a bit less interesting a reason as that. Europe has a cleaner burning diesel. It costs more to make in the first place and also requires more modern refiners. The reason europe has it, is because their emissions laws have mandated it. That engine may not burn clean enough here for it to be viable. Another reason is that diesels just do not sell. My family has owned 2 vw jetta tdi's, 2 passat tdi's, and even a 330 diesel sport *while in england*. VW stopped making the passat tdi here because it just won't sell. My sister still has a TDI Jetta and Diesel costs more than gas right now. Once you figure in the cost of the extra maintenance they require the savings is moot. Sadly, mechanics charge through the nose to work on the cars with little reason, for example oil changes cost her double what a gas engine would.