While I am not an eco-hippy or hardcore environmentalist, I am a person who might consider buying a daily car and letting my M3 sit in my garage a bit more. I love driving the car but I always find myself parking far away from other cars, worrying about scraping my bumper and often do not go to a certain place (you couldn't pay me enough to park in a mall lot) because of my car.

So, I've been looking at normal cars that are reasonably easy on fuel, like the Mercedes E320 BlueTec and BMW 335D. I wouldn't mind a hybrid but I will never consider a Prius or any other 'flashy' hybrid. This brings me to my main question, why do we not see any diesel-electric hybrids? I've read a few articles I feel like this engine combination makes for the perfect city car.

According to this website, BMW presented an X5 Diesel Hybrid, which gets an estimated 36 mpg, in 2008. The car uses a 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engine and an electric motor that produce a combined 224hp and 449 lb-ft of torque. If they fitted this engine into the 3- and 5-series, I guarantee they would have a huge hit.

 

jetta TDI....47 miles per gallon....just sayin'

 

Cat 797's are diesel electric. Get one of those.

 

Good call with VW. I'm looking at a brand new Mark 6 Golf TDI with navigation, sunroof and DSG for under $27,000. That would be one hell of a car to lease.

Quick question, is it really 47mpg? VW rates the Golf TDI at 30mpg city, 42mpg highway

 

kind of pointless I believe

first of all, hybrids are pretty much only purchased in America. Second of all getting American people to wrap their heads around diesel is a hard feat to accomplish. No one has asked for it and nor do I believe it will take off

Here in the U.S. we would need cars like the Polo TDi that gets 70mpg but people won't by diesels

 

I make 42 mpg in my daily driver 2009 2.0 diesel BMW. I think it is a nice number from a cool DD car.

 

Because diesel is icky-poo and you can't sell it to morons. People who know better just buy a normal diesel.

 

yes and mine was 26k every option included lease was 16k for 3 years at 15k miles a year...

 

I was comparing a diesel-hybrid to a gasoline-hybrid. Diesels already get better fuel economy and are better suited for city driving than gasoline engines so it seems like a natural fit.

997carrera, thanks for the help. I will definitely be looking into the Jetta and Golf TDI. It's a shame that Europe gets so many more engine choices. I would probably drive a 120d (180hp, 280tq, 55mpg+ freeway) if they offered it. My M3 would have also been a lower option coupe.