If you live in the US and are still not convinced of the financial gains brought about by diesel-power, then perhaps this latest study from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) on the finer details of the problem may help you understand it.
In fact, the values and differences presented in the study really shocked us, especially the most extreme ones like the Mercedes-Benz GL, which according to the information presented, should really only be bought as a diesel.
The backing behind the creation of the study was provided by Bosch, whose interest is understandable as they make a lot of parts for diesels, like the fuel injection system – for most European diesels, the fuel squirters, adjacent piping and pumps were either made by Delphi or Bosch, full stop.
Now let’s get down to the actual numbers, and back to Mercedes-Benz and their precariously balanced GL. While the average savings recorded over three to five years ranged between $2,000 and $6,000 (data compiled and provided by the UMTRI), the full-sized SUV from Germany could save owners around $15,600 after five years if a diesel is opted for, while a VW Golf TDI keeps over $5,000 in its owners’ pocket over three years.
Depreciation was also one of the reasons pushed forth by the study, and apparently almost all of the diesels held their value better than their gasoline counterparts. Factor in the lower consumption (despite diesel being more expensive than regular unleaded), excellent torque and the more relaxed power delivery; it perfectly matches the needs of commuters, especially those with long highway portions included in their daily drives to and from work.
However, one thing which the study doesn’t mention is the increased complexity (and price of parts) of diesels, and the fact that they offer the best gains when the driver knows what he or she is doing. Sure you can get closer to the manufacturer claimed mpgs, but the driving style needs to be adapted too, and some roads favor diesels more than other cars. The argument is quite a complicated one, and you can read the abridged version of the study here, or if you want to get deeper into the matter get it in PDF format.
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: UMTRI via Autoblog-com
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