Audi Diesel Marathon Wrap Up: 001 Learns How Out To Lunch McCain And Obama Are On Energy

Audi Diesel Marathon Wrap Up: 001 Learns How Out To Lunch McCain And Obama Are On Energy
As you know, I had been traveling the country, testing the new Audi clean diesels at the Diesel Marathon.

I knew the event was going to rock even before I got there because Florian Urbitsch was running the show.

Audi Mileage Marathon Gallery





I know the name is not familiar to most readers but Florian was the genius behind the Mercedes-Benz Paris to Beijing Rally in 2006.

So we expected the Audi marathon to be special and it was.

The event was first class all the way.

But the highlight were the clean diesel vehicles we drove.

A4, Q5, Q7, A3.



I got to drive the A3 and the Q7 and the gas mileage, performance, safety, luxury and fun to drive factor exceeded all expectations.

Plus my driving partners (Sebastian Blanco-AutoBloggreen, Sean McCoy-Automotive Rythyms and Alex Roy-Gumball Rally) all added their special energy to the marathon. ;)

ESPECIALLY, Alex.





He's the guy that did NYC to Newport in 31.5 hours!!!!

The stories were amazing!!!!

His is a very disturbed man...we have a lot in common ;)

Back to the vehicles...

I enjoyed the A3 and the high 40's MPG didn't hurt but I was seduced more by the luxurious Q7.

I can't imagine a better long distance road tripper.



PLUS, I was rewarded with gas mileage in the high 20's.

The Q7 winners got low 30's but we were DRIVING these bad boys.

I know the goal was to try to get the best mileage but my duty to you is to report if these rides got the stuff to PERFORM.

And I say YES, in a resounding way.

All the fun, performance and torque...with NONE of the guilt.

THAT'S why you want one of these.

And my conclusion that stop and go active cruise is tied with traffic based navigation systems, satellite radio and comfort access systems as my MUST have options on any car I buy, was reinforced on this trip.

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

But the REAL eye opener at this trip that convinced me that both McCain and Obama are out to lunch when it comes to ending our dependence on foreign oil, was when Audi America chief, Johan de Nysschen threw out this statistic...

He said that if everyone in the USA dorve a clean diesel, we would decrease our consumption by 1.4 million barrels a day.

Which is EXACTLY the same amount we import daily from Saudi Arabia!

Obama says he WILL end it totally within ten years and McCain says he could significantly decrease it in ten years.

HELLO!

Here is a solution TODAY that could totally change the game.

Have you heard EITHER candidate make one mention of this?

Have you heard either one say they would roll back the $.25-.30 tax per gallon on diesel gas to encourage people to switch?

Have you heard either one say they would give incentives to USA manufacturers to start selling efficient clean diesels in the USA?

Or offer business owners (large and small) big deductions to switch over to clean diesels...like the old $100k SUV deductions?









Audi Mileage Marathon Gallery





The depressing truth that has finally sunk into my small brain is that NEITHER one of these guys will bring the REAL change we need to this country in a number of areas.

They are both excellent at producing CNN and Fox soundbytes.

Having real answers and solutions for the issues we face?

Not so much.









The Spies say if YOU want to decrease YOUR dependence on foreign oil, you need to seriously consider the new clean diesels coming to a dealership near you very soon.

The new Audi offerings are quite compelling.

Audi Mileage Marathon Gallery





And remember, the 2008 SEMA Auto Show is right around the corner!

2008 SEMA Auto Show

2009 BMW 3-Series, Diesel, X5 Diesel Photos

2008 Paris Auto Show

2009 BMW 7-Series

*Audi provided AutoSpies.com with transportation, food and lodging for the purposes of this exclusive review.


BremboBrembo - 10/22/2008 3:20:50 PM
+1 Boost
Ok!? Mr. Genius.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 10/22/2008 3:22:38 PM
+1 Boost
Good for Audi. I knew that Clean Diesel was the way to go...


Agent009Agent009 - 10/22/2008 3:39:25 PM
+3 Boost
To discount these cars is very easy until you actually drive them. Then you begin to understand the sheer genius behind the designs. No need to sacrifice performance, no need to add complex wizardry just to make acceptable mileage. Just a better way period!


budfrogS4budfrogS4 - 10/22/2008 3:55:21 PM
+1 Boost
Or add complex wizardry on top of a diesel engine...


Agent009Agent009 - 10/22/2008 4:05:40 PM
+1 Boost
I guess you could say tote around a bunch of batteries and an extra motor, or just use a more effective injection system.. you decide.


budfrogS4budfrogS4 - 10/22/2008 3:53:25 PM
+1 Boost
Saying that we can save 1.4 mbpd is one thing. Making it a reality within 10 years is what the candidates are saying. And it's not like they can mandate that every car purchased must be a clean diesel much less turn a switch at a refinery so that it produces only diesel and no gasoline. The only thing they have the power to do is to give you tax breaks if you buy a diesel - which is already happening with the Jetta TDI (and I imagine TDI's to come). Even then, you will probably get at most 10% diesel cars on the road so there have to be other measures in order to eliminate our need to import oil. It's fly off the handle remarks like that, 001, that prevents you from running for office...which isn't a bad thing; those are some nice pics from the tour!


Agent001Agent001 - 10/22/2008 4:03:53 PM
+3 Boost
Running for office? LOLOL!

I'm crazy...but not THAT crazy! ;)

001


sgtronsgtron - 10/22/2008 5:20:17 PM
0 Boost
dont understand you folks that think diesel is the way to go. i have TWO cars and BOTH will beat the mileage that i see in one of those pics (38.5) drove 363 miles in 5.25 hrs and averaged 43.11. same trip back got stuck on I65 for about an half hour going very slowly and still was above 43 mpg. and cost of gas was a hell of alot less than diesel. oh i forgot its not made in GERMANY.my other car is a hybrid and does better. AND depeciation on both cars have been minimal plus insurance is much cheaper.


MeanVulcanMeanVulcan - 10/23/2008 7:05:41 AM
+1 Boost
I somewhat agree with your points except I believe that a tax incentive to go diesel will make many more than 10% of buyers go diesel. With no loss in performance, no diesel noise as in old diesel engines, much improved mileage, significantly more torque... you can't beat that with ANY city-only hybrid system.

I don't share Agent001's simplistic solution, or at least I don't believe it to be that easy to implement for many reasons:
* some will never convert to diesel
* some will never buy foreign
* some don't like Audi
* some don't like VW
* some can't afford Audi or VW
* and most important, the gov will never provide strong incentives for diesels until American car makers can compete. If they did so, you can say good bye to GM, Chrysler and Ford. So that alone will take several years.

I do believe that if Audi and VW introduce a full TDI line up of entry level VWs and luxury performance Audi models with this kind of mileage performance they will grow past Toyota within a few years.

I have not seen the diesel competition come close to these high performing TDIs.


Agent001Agent001 - 10/22/2008 4:40:30 PM
+1 Boost
Yes, that IS Alex Roy...did you READ the article?

001


ucla95ucla95 - 10/22/2008 9:36:12 PM
+1 Boost
I spoke with Alex, he said the statute of limitations is up. Plus he's a good dude, (some) cops like him.


M35MTM35MT - 10/22/2008 4:38:59 PM
+2 Boost
I bought a new Land Rover last month and would have loved a Diesel option, oh...that sweet sweet torque.


RunamukkRunamukk - 10/22/2008 5:13:43 PM
+1 Boost
where are the clean diesel hybrids?


Agent001Agent001 - 10/22/2008 5:32:32 PM
+1 Boost
Good question.

The word is that the only diesel hybrids you will see are at the high end of the market (Mercedes S Hybrid) because the cost of including diesel and hybrid technology would raise the price too high to make economic sense in the sub 70K market.

001


SixxFiveSixxFive - 10/22/2008 6:14:47 PM
+1 Boost
Maybe you should just stick to writing articles about cars instead of writing political commentaries stating that neither presidential candidate will accomplish anything while in office.


Agent001Agent001 - 10/22/2008 6:35:37 PM
+2 Boost
Isn't it already a foregone conclusion based on the 700 billion they're both saddled with?

001


veyron1001veyron1001 - 10/22/2008 7:59:47 PM
+1 Boost
Obama wanting to end the war will lower the price of diesel but I cant say how much though. Hopefully it will equal regular unleaded. But if there is a big enough demand the govt yet again will take more of an advantage over it and use the you get more mpg with diesel excuse to tax it more.


Agent001Agent001 - 10/22/2008 9:05:52 PM
+1 Boost
A year ago he said he would end the war but in the second debate he said he would take the troops from Iraq, move them to Afghanistan and add more troops there.

His strategy has changed and very few people have picked that up.

Seems like either candidate will have lots of troops on the ground in the middle east for at least a few more years.

001


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 10/22/2008 8:04:01 PM
0 Boost
Great article, 001. Not just about Audi, but about all these diesels. They're such fantastic things. I'd love an A4 3.0TDI or 335d.


Agent001Agent001 - 10/22/2008 9:08:13 PM
+1 Boost
This was an Audi event so I was focusing on their offerings but you all know we have reported on the Mercedes and BMW diesels as well and we like them all.

001


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 10/23/2008 11:09:27 AM
+1 Boost
I was very high on the new diesel offerings as well, and I've been a big advocate of them on this site in the past. But now I'm afraid they might arrive stillborn to U.S. dealerships. I live in the Midwest, and regular gas just dropped to $2.36/gallon. Premium is $2.56. Meanwhile diesel hasn't dropped at all and is $3.69. When diesel was 10-15% more than premium fuel, I figured enough people would see the benefit to 40% better fuel economy to at least give the new BMW, MB, and Audi diesels a look. But with diesel 31% more than premium I don't know how many people are going to bother. I'd still consider an X5 xDrive 35d because it offers performance similar to the X5 xDrive 48i for a lot less money while getting roughly 50% better fuel economy (which offsets the cost of the fuel). But those numbers only work because there's a "higher" model that is more expensive and less fuel efficient to compare them to. Case in point, I'm not sure how many people would look at a 335d that offers 20-25% better fuel economy than a 328i but requires fuel that costs 31% more and costs thousands more in the first place. Sure the 335d is quicker, but how much is that worth? I see the same issues at Audi and Benz. Is Audi going to sell a lot of A4 TDI's when the 4-cylinder turbo A4 already gets good mileage, costs less, and performs similarly, all while using fuel that costs 31% less per gallon?


RupertRupert - 10/22/2008 8:45:47 PM
+1 Boost
'All the fun, performance and torque...with NONE of the guilt'.
Bollockd.
The Q7 3.0 TDI is still a polluting pig, and no diesel, no hybrid anything is going to make a 2.5 tonne SUV 'good' for the environment. You're sounding like a Lexus hybrid advert - and do you know what we do to those in Britain? We ban them.


ucla95ucla95 - 10/22/2008 9:34:56 PM
+2 Boost
Alex Roy is a very cool dude, spent a lot of time with him at the World Class Driving festival. He's got a solid documentary of his Cannonball run coming out at Sundance in 2009.


gkearns56gkearns56 - 10/23/2008 9:39:03 AM
+1 Boost
Has Audi indicated they'll be sending a diesel A4 to the USA. If so when? Just wondering.


gregsfcgregsfc - 11/8/2008 4:42:54 PM
+1 Boost
The 1.4 million barrels per day quote is incorrect.

The quote is traced back to Marge Oge (EPA spokesperson) around 2005. [paraphrased] If only 1/3 of America's light-duty fleet were diesel powered, we could save 1.4 million barrels of oil per day. This amount of petroleum is roughly what we currently import from Saudi Arabia.

So, in the article, it was mentioned that we would all have to start driving diesels to achieve these savings, but this is information is incorrect because the true market penetration is only one-third to save this amount of crude.

Also, if only 5% of our current diesel fuel supply was biodiesel in the blend, we could save enough petroleum as we currently import from Iraq.

Incidentally, we import more crude from Saudi Arabia than any other country from the middle east.

Iraq is number two.

So, if we started embracing clean, efficient diesel powered cars as one method to reduce our consumption of petroleum and we simultaneously embraced biodiesel, renewable diesel, or green diesel through sustainable feed stocks such as algae, we could soon save enough petroleum as we currently import from Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Currently, we have a regulatory environment that all but outlaws diesels that are 90% cleaner burning than diesel cars that were legal here in 2006. In other words, OEMs and fuel suppliers have found ways to reduce harmful substances from diesels cars 90% since 2006 but that 90% reduction did not keep pace with the mandates set forth by the EPA for diesel cars 2005-2009. The big sticking point is with regards to only one group of substances; nitrogen oxides. With out much fuss, OEMs could bring over diesel cars that would meet or exceed the standards for gas cars with respect to hydrocarbons, carbon monoxides, particulates of matter, sulfur dioxides, and volatile organic compounds; but since OEMs could reduce NOx by only 30-40 percent, instead of the required 90%, we can not have inexpensive diesel cars here. The diesels we will get will include an elaborate scrubbing system to reduce NOx down to .07 gram per mile. Meanwhile, it is still legal for a 1970 tractor trailer to be out on the road spewing gobs of PM and 50 grams per mile of NOx.

Go figure!
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