Hi MGBGT:
___Let us look at the performance:
Mercedes ML 320 CDI 0 - 62: 8.6 seconds
Lexus RXh 0 - 60: 7.2 seconds
___Then the FE:
Mercedes ML 320 CDI:
EC Combined:
24.0 mpg US gallons
EC Extra Urban: 29.42 mpg US gallons
EC Urban: 18.25 mpg US gallons
Lexus RX 400h:
EPA Combined:
29 mpg US gallons
EPA City: 31 mpg US gallons
EPA Highway: 27 mpg US gallons
___The last time I looked, the EU combined specs were similar to the EPA’s combined. As an example, the Prius II has the following in both US EPA and EU’s EU4 mileage specs.
EPA City/Highway combined: 55.5 mpg US gallons
vs.
EU Combined: 54.7 mpg US gallons
___So how does the ML CDI driven by “
the testers” (MB “
testers” maybe
) receive 31 mpg over the entire 5,200 Km when its rated at just 24.0 mpg per the EU combined and the Lexus only receive 27.7 mpg US when it rated for 29 mpg per the EPA combined?
___Secondly, comparing an ultra clean Hybrid with higher city then highway to a non-US compliant diesel with a higher highway then city in a mostly highway test proves what?
___Lets look at those city numbers that “
the tester’s” received again …
24.56 mpg for the RXh vs. 24.12 mpg for the ML320. The RXh is rated far higher then that per the EPA City (24.56 mpg received vs. 31 mpg estimated). The MB ML320 CDI is rated far lower then this in the EU’s Urban testing (24.12 mpg actual vs. 18.25 mpg US estimated per the EU Urban cycle)?
___Sounds a bit fishy that a lower performance, far worse emissions, diesel SUV is achieving 32% better FE then the EU Urban numbers suggest and the higher performance, far cleaner hybrid is receiving just 79% of the EPA city expected … I know there are some apples to orange comparisons here but some of this can be correlated given the Prius numbers posted above.
___This goes along with another conclusion I have come to understand in regards to a straight diesel vs. hybrid. Name a single mass-produced 0 - 60 in 10.5 second or less diesel available anywhere on the planet that has achieved > 109 mpg sustained for an entire tank? I know of 1 Insight and 1 Prius that have done exactly that!
___Finally, a late model diesel is supposedly ~ 3 - 5% more efficient then the Prius I or II’s Atkinsonized ICE but in the real world, I am not seeing any FE advantage? This includes just straight highway FE where the diesel should really own the road so to speak. A quick look at the FE threads over at WVortex or TDI club should be all you need to confirm by comparison to what the members here are receiving in their Insight’s, HCH’s, and Prius II’s on a daily basis? Not that I would love to own a TSX based Accord CDTi over my K24 equipped PZEV non-hybrid Accord but the diesel’s underperforming FE numbers vs. the hybrids speak for themselves …
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___
Waynegerdes@earthlink.net
German test pits diesel MB against Lexus rx400h
