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August 24, 2005
Mercedes MS 320 CDI beats Lexus Rx400Hybrid
I have been saying all along that the hybrid numbers are funny. They are based on flat track driving. Not real world driving. When you add hills, the mileage goes WAY down because you are dragging around an extra motor and battery pack. This recent cross country test: Green Car Congress: Diesel Bests Hybrid in Cross-Country Fuel Consumption Test shows that a diesel SUV was 10% better mileage than the hybrid. Further proof of my assumption that in heavier vehicles the diesel, especially biodiesel, will be MUCH better than a hybrid. Go Mercedes!
Posted by Martin at August 24, 2005 10:05 AM
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I wonder if this was adjusted for (volumetric) energy density, which is about 12% higher in diesel versus gasoline.
What's interesting how hybrid technology raises gasoline efficiency to the level of diesels. At that point both engines are running more or less unthrottled under lean-burn conditions.
The advantages for diesels is that it's a mature technology, and the electronics, magnetics, and batteries are smaller/lighter. But an equivalent diesel engine will be heavier pound-for-pound than a gasoline engine without the hybrid bits.
The advantages for hybrids is that emission control technology is more mature and the transmission (in the Toyota system) is much simpler (just a single planetary gearset), especially in an all-wheel-drive vehicle.
In any case, I suspect you're right that it's inherently superior for heavier vehicles.
Posted by: frank.dawg 
at August 25, 2005 2:52 PM
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