Realistic MPG on the new class of hybrids.......

[scoobster999]

As someone that does about 800 miles a week I must confess that the latest breed of hybrids with 100+ mpg really do appeal as my present Alfa 147 only does 50ish. Looking at the new A3 E-Tron pencilled in for next year their claims of 188mpg really do look fantastic, likewise the VW with 200+mpg but I do have a couple of concerns unless I am missing something?

Is the MPG claim based on pootling around town in which case it doesn't really do what I need it to do. Also I'd worry about the longevity of a 1.4 Turbo petrol doing space ship mileages.

It's exciting times in car technology if they can make good on some of their promises but I am sceptical. Can anyone enlighten me on the realistic MPG's and ranges of these cars?

Thanks

[sjg]

It's based on the EU combined cycle, which doesn't spend a lot of time at motorway speeds:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_European_Driving_...

..plus the plug-in hybrids already have energy in the battery.

Diesels are better at pushing a car-shaped object through the air at 70mph. Plug-in hybrids like the A3 e-tron are great if you do more modest mileages, as the idea is you'd charge daily and do most (if not all) of your commute on electric, but still have the range of a petrol (which would get 50-60mpg at motorway speeds) if you needed to make a longer journey.

If you're just pounding up and down the motorway, a Golf Bluemotion or similar will be a much better bet.

Edited by sjg on Tuesday 22 October 17:54

[R26Andy]

Your not considering spending £25k to save £50/week in fuel are you?

Edited by R26Andy on Tuesday 22 October 21:36

[KTF]

^^

If your mileage it primarily motorway then get a diesel with cruise.

Hybrids do not deliver the numbers (promised or otherwise) unless you spend the majority of your time in stop/start conditions.

[JonnyVTEC]

Those cars you mention are plug in hybrids so its simply an average based on fuel use or MPGe which is equivalent electric energy, an A3 for example used 10 miles a day might average 2000mpg over the course of a year!