Audi/Porsche/Mercedes Hybrids

[JerzyPriusDriver]

http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/aud...nter_1530.shtml

Information on the Audi hybrid

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=107234

Information on the Porsche hybrid

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/051..._diesel_hybrid/

Information on the Mercedes diesel hybrid

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Now, one thing that kinda irks me is, why are they hybridizing SUVs and friggin' luxobarges.

If I was the head of Volkswagen, I would focus on hybridizing the VW Golf or Jetta (gas or diesel) before I would focus on the luxury divisions, and even then, some of the lesser sized luxury cars could be hybridized. You are already paying a premium for hybrid technology, why not deal with the bread and butter brands.

And if I was the head of Mercedes, I would have the A-class, C-class, or E-class be the base for a diesel electric hybrid

[TonyPSchaefer]

Now, one thing that kinda irks me is, why are they hybridizing SUVs and friggin' luxobarges.[/b]

As stupid as it sounds, it's actually a really good thing to take a vehicle that gets 10 MPG and bump it up to 15 MPG because that's a 50% improvement in mileage. It's easier, too. To do that to a Jetta (25 city/31 highway), you would have to get it to 37c/46h and that's a tougher challenge.

In the grand scheme of things, any step in the right direction is still a step in the right direction.