VAG - Diesels are a no go in small cars

[pologti18t]

Buyers shun diesel in cars; SUVs still strong

VAG is retreating in offering diesel models in smaller cars in Aus

No diesel polo
No diesel rapid

Diesels sales in Golf range down to 18%.

[Dutch77]

A lot of consumers I suspect were buying on the headline fuel consumption figures.

The latest VAGs are so damn economical, at least as officially listed, that those buyers aren't seeing much benefit to the diesels. Especially as there is little difference in pricing a lot of the time these days between the two fuels.

Some fuel pricing info available here:

Motorists as Consumers - Australian Automobile Association

[kamold]

I would agree Dutch77. I hired a Mk7 Golf over the past 2 days and drove around 300kms around Melbourne and surrounds. Averaged 5.7L/100 which is about what I get in the vRS TDI.

So when fuel consumption is the primary reason most consumers opt for a diesel they'll naturally choose a cheaper petrol model when those headline figures are comparable.

[Eaglehawk]

I just buy whatever model has the 6 speed DSG...wish I could have stretched it to a GTI though

[nightphotographer]

This sucks - I still maintain the best car I've owned to this day is a MK1 Fabia VRS 1.9TDI tuned to 181bhp atw. No matter how hard you drove it, still averaged at 60mpg (4.5l/100). And that TDI torque is just addictive!

[THE_EGG]

I'm not surprised tbh. It is pretty rare to see a diesel powered Polo or Cooper D or other diesel cars that size. My diesel polo 6R TDI DSG had pretty awful economy though when I had it. About 10-11L/100km average (about 8L/100km on highways I seem to remember) and it was also as slow as a slug. My DS3 with a 1.6T petrol (cooper S engine) averages ~7L/100km even when I'm driving the socks off it (~5.5L/100km highway). ~16L/100km at max though on a track.

[kaanage]

MK1 Fabia VRS 1.9TDI

This is the magic combination - big(gish) torquey diesel in a little car. It doesn't look so economical on the specs but it the real world, they are terrific to drive and sip fuel (I can get 1200km from 55l in suburban driving). It's just too bad that the current Polo has to make do with the smaller 1.6 which is further hampered by the DPF.

If my Polo got destroyed, I'd find another 1.9 9N3 Tdi. And if I couldn't find one, I wouldn't buy one if the new Polo Tdi's

[Jarred]

I'm not surprised new golf diesel sales are down, considering they're only available in the highline model. Alot of people don't want to pay 36K+ for a 'standard hatchback'. It's like they don't even want to push them..

[tye722]

Also aren't diesels more expensive to service?


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[singlespeed]

Also aren't diesels more expensive to service?


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After the capped price servicing ends they're a bit more expensive but not by much. I bought the 110TDI for the torque, it makes driving the Golf a great experience. I find 4 cylinder petrol cars boring, with no 6 cylinder Golf option any more the TDI is a great choice. I only wish the GTD would have been a option.


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