I wouldn't buy one of these models, or a Tesla either, but is this kind of thing going to be available in the future?

http://www.thestreet.com/story/12760020/1/audi-15-a8-is-a-868-mile-range-tesla-killer-and-diesel-is-the-secret.html

I am inclined to be attracted to the virtues of:

Top end German luxury (flogged a rented '12 Audi A6 2.0 turbo diesel up and down the Autobahn in 2012 and loved the experience - 130-160 mph every day -- it was safe and legal and LOTS of ground was covered).

Camel like range was appreciated -

Diesel engines now are quiet and very BRISK

I'd LIKE the idea of an AWD as I travel very high yearly miles and back and forth over the Sierra mountains quite often, in winter too and hate tire chains, I have to use on my Mercedes Benz.

At the moment for new, the BMW 5er's are my preference for the bulk of my driving and I prefer the German approach to automotive engineering, and have come to terms with teutomic "austere" luxury and the handling and performance and safety emphasis..

What do *YOU* think about this?

It could be an indicator of the possible direction of future automotive technology and fossil fuel usage of our cars.

VERY interesting discussion and comments, many points of view here. Be sure and check the comments too.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Diesel car engine is dead both here and in Europe.
Diesel dominance threatened by EU emissions rules | Autocar
With EURO 6 and EURO 7 emissions (similar to current US emissions) diesel engine will be more expensive than most hybrid systems.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Hopefully they won't pass the rules. This being said, hybrid AND diesel would be the best of both worlds, assuming it's not all electric.

Doubt it will happen in the USA.

The trucking industry lobby would fight like a tiger against it in the USA.

Plus, "If you got it, a truck brought it", as they say.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I don't think that the average Grey Poupon enthusiast wants to track smelly diesel fuel from leaky, greasy self serve pumps onto those pricey Audi floormats.

Given the elite nature of the Tesla owner group, I don't see anything with an ICE "killing" it.

The average Grey Poupon enthusiast pays 10 cents extra per gallon for some pimply-faced kid to pump the diesel.

The euro emissions rules are already on the books. Euro 6 starts sept 2014, euro 7 a couple of years after that. Some of the cheapest cars in Europe like the VW UP have already dropped the diesel engine option completely. The cost of emissions controls make it uneconomical. Instead they're selling an EV option.
Too late, they already lost that battle.
On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles (In-Use) Regulation
The diesel engine will be economical in heavy trucks for a long time to come even with the additional cost of compliance. New passenger vehicles on the other hand, not so much.

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During the normal lifespan of these cars diesel will probably be available at whatever the inflated value happens to be.

It could even run on hydrogen. Remember the hydrogen economy? Ha. Whatever BS sells at the moment.

Do they still have full service gas stations outside of NJ and OR? I haven't seen one in decades.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Meh I'd rather have a Tesla, the P85 model will spank it as well. If you get an A8 the V8 is the motor to get.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

2014 Audi A8

Luxury vehicle

MSRP: From $75,100

MPG: Up to 24 city, 36 highway

Horsepower: 240 HP to 500 HP

Engine size: 3.0L, 4.0L, 6.3L

~~


Got to agree with you there, though even the midsized 2012 Audi A6 turbo diesel I had rented in Germany got me satisfactorily through western Europe (France, Italy, Lichtenstein, Austria and Switzerl and Bavaria) faster than any tour bus ever could have.

I did not know how quick it ran the Autobahnen until I got back to the USA and checked the mph/kph speedo when I got home to California.

130-160 mph daily in that thing was quiet and relaxing as taking a bath.

Not too shabby for a 2.0 motor.



in Kientzheim, Alsace (France):

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Something about an all aluminum body attracts me like a moth to a flame. And then there's the rest of the car to drool over.

Beautiful picture, I hope your schedule allowed you to enjoy that time.