| Quote: | |  | |
| I've driven the ultra-efficient FSI/TFSI VAG cars as well as the Alfa/Fiat groups 1.4 multiair whilst searching for my daily commuter. The outcome was that they all just felt a little too weedy and unsatisfying, they're fine for cruising along the highway and giving reasonable figures but for hilly terrain and safely overtaking I found them lacking. Adding superchargers, turbochargers etc.. to assist a small engine still doesn't change the fundementals of engine size = power. So in the end I just went with tried and tested German diesel. | |
| | |
Yes, this is common with modern eco boxes - they work well at constant throttles, and on flat terrain. But the economy plummets as soon as you introduce some variety into your journey. My "old" Skoda Fabia with a previous generation 1.4 turbo diesel would score 65mpg (combined) with a full load and on the motorway. However, as soon as I hit Switzerland, the economy plummeted to 40mpg...
Better to go for a larger engine, with good torque figures. Torque (and kerb weight of the vehicle) are the stats to look for.