with the price of gas and the mpg rating of our ML, hopefully we'll see the hybrid model in the near future...the Toyota Harrier (Lexus RX400h) and Kluger (Highlander) will soon be selling in April..read on please...
And diesel fuel economy is better: The E320 CDI gets 38 MPG on the highway, the RX400h only 26 MPG.
Yeah, but the RX400h has a 0-60 of 7.2 seconds; the ML320CDI is 2 seconds slower. The RX is not designed to optimize economy, obviously. Hybrids that are can achieve better than diesel economy, expecially in the City. Even the RX is rated at 30 mpg City.
There are diesel hybrids, too, of course, if you want the ultimate.
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<B>Greg</B> Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
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<B>2006 ML350</b> - Pewter/Charcoal Alcantara/Aluminum; Packages: Comfort, Lighting, Entertainment, Appearance, Airmatic, Sunroof; Options: Nav, Sirius, hitch, heated seats, power liftgate, roof rack; Mods: ML500 skid plates, ML63 20" wheels.
<B>2001 BMW M3 Coupe</B> (5/01 prod.) - Titanium/Cinnamon w/ many mods.
RE: wishing for a hybrid ML - maybe sooner than we think!
What about a ML164 diesel hybrid! That would be the ticket. Since DC bought the technology license from Toyota just before Christmas, it may happen sooner than we think.
Apparently, there is a S class diesel hybrid running around already.... http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/01/mercedes_sclass.html that gets 34 mpg!!
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Mercedes-Benz S-Class “Hybrid� develops a maximum power of 241 kW/340 hp – a new record for cars with hybrid drive systems. The V8 CDI diesel engine develops 191 kW/260 hp and 560 Nm of torque. The two electric motors, which have a combined output of 50 kW/70 hp,
FYI, my partner's 2004 Prius is simply amazing - very good power, seats 4 easily and handles the mountain highways very well. The various software algorithms they wrote into this thing area amazing. Back and forth to Whistler from Vancouver, it gets 5.2L/100 going uphill to Whistler and down to 2.8L/100 on the way back!
Hybrid cars… Lets see… with the initial higher cost and following maintenance cost (replacing very expensive battery cells, and likely some electrical parts) you will have to use this car for 59 years just to get cost even with the conventional car. (compared Honda LX and Honda Hybrid, read in MotorTrend magazine)
Also, there are some safety and environmental issues being raised now. Such as 1. in the race for fuel efficiency these cars getting lighter and lighter (more plastics) 2. in case of accident/fire electro acid cell fumes are very harmful. 3. recycling of battery cells is harmful for the environment.
Therefore, my vote will be for ‘Diesel’ if situation changes here in US. So far Diesel cars cost more, and diesel fuel cost more then a premium gas! In Europe situation is complete opposite.
Hybrid cars… Lets see… with the initial higher cost and following maintenance cost (replacing very expensive battery cells, and likely some electrical parts) you will have to use this car for 59 years just to get cost even with the conventional car. (compared Honda LX and Honda Hybrid, read in MotorTrend magazine)
Also, there are some safety and environmental issues being raised now. Such as 1. in the race for fuel efficiency these cars getting lighter and lighter (more plastics) 2. in case of accident/fire electro acid cell fumes are very harmful. 3. recycling of battery cells is harmful for the environment.
Therefore, my vote will be for ‘Diesel’ if situation changes here in US. So far Diesel cars cost more, and diesel fuel cost more then a premium gas! In Europe situation is complete opposite.
You raise good questions about hybrids. At this point it may be more about "doing the right thing" than an economic choice, but the situation should improve as hybrid costs come down and fuel prices go up. Lexus claims their batteries are good for the life of the car. They use lithium ion, which are safer and less risky for the environment, than lead acid.
GregW / Oregon - 3/25/2005 4:03 PM
Yeah, but the RX400h has a 0-60 of 7.2 seconds; the ML320CDI is 2 seconds slower.
Greg, Lexus gives 7.3 seconds for the 0-60. The ML320 CDI is 8.6 0-100 km/h, and should be a little less for the 0-60, so it's probably closer than a two seconds difference. City fuel economy is probably better in the Lexus, but on the highway the ML320 CDI has the advantage.
RE: wishing for a hybrid ML - maybe sooner than we think!
Quote:
jangr320 - 3/25/2005 4:35 PM
Since DC bought the technology license from Toyota just before Christmas..
Jangr320, do you have a quote/source for this? As far as I know DaimlerChrysler partnered with GM to develop P1/2 hybrids using Allison transmission hybrids already running in a fleet of city hybrid buses. I've heard claims the buses saved more fuel so far than Toyota's Priuses, but I haven't checked that out yet.
<a href="http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/edu_k-12/5-8/fc_energy/allison_drives_poster.pdf"> Allison Electric drives (pdf)</a>
You raise good questions about hybrids. At this point it may be more about "doing the right thing" than an economic choice, but the situation should improve as hybrid costs come down and fuel prices go up. Lexus claims their batteries are good for the life of the car. They use lithium ion, which are safer and less risky for the environment, than lead acid.[/quote]
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You are right, but unfortunately "doing the right thing" will not do much progress here. (unless of course they’ll start ‘doing the right thing’ and pay me MORE at my job [:)])
However, government incentives to the car manufactures and owners will. Japan is a good example. Producing and owning polluting cars will cost you some serious JPY’s
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