Could the perfect ski CAR be coming to the states???

Phil, stop torturing yourself.

Jeep promised a 'better than 50/50 chance' of the Gladiator pickup concept (in diesel, no less).  Nope.  Mazda said they would give us the CX-5 in diesel (although they still might, albeit a year or more later).  You can get the new and improved/lovely GC in diesel in Europe, but not here.  The list goes on.

I bought my current car (used Honda Element manual AWD) as a stopgap vehicle, hoping for the light at the end of the tunnel, a non-premium-brand diesel ski country car.  Looks like i will be keeping that running for some time to come.

The promise of diesel is seductive (10% more expensive fuel in the U.S. but 20-30% more efficient plus altitude-friendly turbo), but we just don't get it here on this side of the pond.  Hell, France is subsidizing diesel at the pump by something like a euro per gallon vs. petrol, who would have thought France would lead the charge on anything involving logic?

Besides, if you are dreaming, you need a better dream than the tall Passat:  BMW M550d.  Boom.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/bmw/5-series/road-test/m550d-xdrive-driven

That would be a solid addition

Did you see the new Land Rover Defender (DC100 concept) at NYC? That one's a go for the US too (after like 15 or 20 years of no Defender). So far, they're really messing up the style though, imo. Wouldn't hold my breath for a diesel, either.

The Jeep pickup is still a rumor, FWIW. MOPAR launched a conversion kit last year that turns the Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup, and I think they're gauging sales for a possible production pickup.

You'd think diesel would be gaining steam here, what with gas prices/environmental concerns

Sporty wagons are great for skiing ... and biking and family trips and commuting and you name it.  But Americans just don't get it. They'd rather drive gas guzzling SUVs that handle worse and have no more space.  This car won't make it in the USA.  Very sad.

For a few x-tra bucks I'd take the New A4 allroad!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeUT 

Did you see the new Land Rover Defender (DC100 concept) at NYC?

Good god that's the ugliest thing I've ever seen. To put the "Defender" tag on it, travesty...

Quote:

Originally Posted by hirustler 

Sporty wagons are great for skiing ... and biking and family trips and commuting and you name it.  But Americans just don't get it. They'd rather drive gas guzzling SUVs that handle worse and have no more space.  This car won't make it in the USA.  Very sad.

Eh..that was true 10 - 15 years ago, but not anymore. One of the big reasons for GM and Chrysler having to government-grovel their way to solvency was that they were still building big SUVs and people were buying smaller, more efficient cars. So they were buying Japanese and European. A big part of those companies' resurgence is in small cars.

The entire class of crossovers/CUVs was created pretty recently to simultaneously solve the demand for all-wheel drive utility and better fuel economy. I think they tend to be a little taller and shorter than wagons, but same idea without the negative image of the wagon.

Maybe they'll do an A4 allroad TDI here!

Too many years to recover the cost differential of diesel over gas, particiulary since I am not driving a lot of miles per year now and it is split

between my car and motorcycle.

Diesels are still pretty slow 0-60. No doubt great for long haul and towing. tons of torque.
 

And too many cheap-o little plastic parts break on VW interiors.   As nice as the newer VW's can be, they are not an Audi which are a big step above in quality fit & finish. ( of course my view may be slightly skewed since my last 2 have been "S" cars)

I drove a new Q7 TDI the other day. Really nice!!

VW Warranty:

WARRANTY: 12-year/unlimited mileage limited warranty against corrosion perforation; 5-year/60,000-mile (whichever occurs first) powertrain limited warranty; 3-year/36,000-mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty; 3-year/36,000-mile (whichever occurs first) ^††

 ^{The Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Program covers the vehicle’s scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first on all 2009 or newer models. Coverage during the term of the new vehicle limited warranty at no additional charge. Some limitations apply. See dealer or vehicle maintenance program booklet for details.}

Audi Warranty:

Plus you can buy 4 year/50K Carefree maintainance on the Audi. if you lease the car and buy it it riases the residual enough to cover he cost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philpug 

Why? Choose a gas motor over a diesel? 

Not in my neck of the woods. Pickups and SUV's as far as the eye can see, even with gas north of $4 a gallon.

The Audi A8 is already a suitable "ski car".  Nothing new is required.

With Quattro AWD, winter package heated seats, steering wheel. mirrors, etc.  an ample "boot" to hold gear for all, and the pass through ski bag, or fitted for a roof rack,

a gentleman, family and friends can travel and arrive in comfort.

Plus!   25+ mpg! on mid grade petrol

Now why  reinvent the wheel?  ;-)

cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeUT 

 

Eh..that was true 10 - 15 years ago, but not anymore. One of the big reasons for GM and Chrysler having to government-grovel their way to solvency was that they were still building big SUVs and people were buying smaller, more efficient cars. So they were buying Japanese and European. A big part of those companies' resurgence is in small cars.

 

The entire class of crossovers/CUVs was created pretty recently to simultaneously solve the demand for all-wheel drive utility and better fuel economy. I think they tend to be a little taller and shorter than wagons, but same idea without the negative image of the wagon.

This may be true but these sporty crossovers get worse mileage than most wagons.  They also handle like crossovers, while wagons basically handle like sedans.  Why there are so few wagons on the road has always been a mystery to me.  I suppose it's marketing more than anything. The car companies could solve their mileage issues more easily if they pushed wagons instead of crossovers.

I think you're more likely to see a hybrid powertrain on it than diesel. Just because that is what has been sold as "green" to the US auto-buying public. I asked the Audi guys why we don't get diesels here and they said it's because Audi is supposed to have a sporty-image. I was like then there's an obvious disconnect if you can't make the leap from the R18TDI to an A7 TDI.

Gratuitous R18 picture:

Quote:

Originally Posted by hirustler 

This may be true but these sporty crossovers get worse mileage than most wagons.  They also handle like crossovers, while wagons basically handle like sedans.  Why there are so few wagons on the road has always been a mystery to me.  I suppose it's marketing more than anything. The car companies could solve their mileage issues more easily if they pushed wagons instead of crossovers.

 

I don't see how a wagon has a negative image. To me Crossover is more poseur than anything else, kinda like just couldn't go all the way to a minivan or an SUV. If they still made an S4 Avant, I would have chosen that over the sedan.

Sometimes I swear there's some kind of conspiracy that all auto manufacturers have consorted to block the one car all outdoors enthusiast seem to want and drool over.  Its pretty amazing when you think about it.  Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jeep, Subaru, Mazda, ford (and more) all have proven vehicles that could be substantial sellers here but they just don't bring them in.  People will continue to buy big SUVs because quite frankly there aren't any vehicles that offer decided benefits over the proven monsters. Some people need space and like the look and drive. the larger SUVs still are more practical for off-road (save the Jeep wrangler but not much different than  large SUV). Lager SUV's don't get that much less MPG than smaller less capable wagons for the most part (not counting a FWD drive car like a jetta) and they really don't cost anymore.  hell, a jeep grand cherokee is 2-3K more than a subie equipped with more features and more room and comfort; and the same mileage basically.  I got over 20 mpg in A new ford Explorer in town driving. BTW- that's a very nice vehicle except for the my touch...  

Interesting article. I was wondering if it was on the US or Euro platform. BTW - 2.0 TDI plus DSG is supposedly a horrible combo.

Anyone have a view on or experience with the Honda Crosstour  ?  AWD and seemingly ample cargo space might make it a good ski car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philpug 

Why? Choose a gas motor over a diesel? 

POWER

While the TDI is a nice engine for many things, it does run out of breath. For more sporting pursuits, I'll take turbo gas in the mountains.

And I won't touch a DSG....

I currently have a Jetta TDI wagon with DSG.....and this car is awesome. The torque is just amazing and I think the only thing better would be to have AWD. Nothing like the 42-45 mpg highway. Love this car and would for sure consider the new Passat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cgrandy 

The Audi A8 is already a suitable "ski car".  Nothing new is required.

 

With Quattro AWD, winter package heated seats, steering wheel. mirrors, etc.  an ample "boot" to hold gear for all, and the pass through ski bag, or fitted for a roof rack,

a gentleman, family and friends can travel and arrive in comfort.

 

Plus!   25+ mpg! on mid grade petrol

 

Now why  reinvent the wheel?  ;-)

 

cheers

Just the money from a bank robbery to pay for it...

It's also just TOO BIG for my needs....

Why do car vendors always put those freakin' side bar racks on instead of adjustable cross bar racks?  Last time I bought a car, three fourths of the cars on the lot were ruled out instantly by me simply because I refused to pick one that required additional after market cross bars to add my ski box and bike racks.   And, I actually have the Thule cross bars that go with my box stashed in  the shed, came with it.  I just prefer less mickey mouse rigging/alterations where possible with a new vehicle.   Really, what good are side bars for anyway compared to factory adjustable cross bars on top? 

The "perfect ski car" comes with something more like this:

I prefer the side bars. I want to be able to chose how long my crossbars are, and besides, the weight-limit on the factory bars is usually pretty small. I wouldn't trust them to keep 4 downhill bikes on the top of my car at 80 MPH.

I am sure anyone driving behind you would agree with your concerns.... 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by epic 

I prefer the side bars. I want to be able to chose how long my crossbars are, and besides, the weight-limit on the factory bars is usually pretty small. I wouldn't trust them to keep 4 downhill bikes on the top of my car at 80 MPH.

Could you take European delivery of the VW and then import,  without further federalization?

Are TDIs legal in Cali? With so many states adopting Cali emissions, maybe that's got something to do with it as well.

technically, yes as long as it conforms to all us regulations and IF VW will agree. Chances are that they don't make a US (steering wheel on left) version and it won't conform to US regulations. otherwise it would be here..... the cost to convert is prohibitive.