Most economical car at autobahn speed
Discussion
Hi,
I'm moving to Germany and am looking to change from my Boxster to a car for ze autobahn. I will regularly be doing long distances, and like the idea of doing this as fast as safe, without getting absolutely terrible MPG.
I would predict I'll be spending a lot of my time at 110-130mph. What kind of car do we think would be most efficient at this speed, without being right on the limiter?
I was thinking a 330D. Not sure which gearbox.
Perhaps a 320D ED would suffice?
There isn't much online about how economy looks at this kind of speed, any advice welcome. Thanks.
I'm moving to Germany and am looking to change from my Boxster to a car for ze autobahn. I will regularly be doing long distances, and like the idea of doing this as fast as safe, without getting absolutely terrible MPG.
I would predict I'll be spending a lot of my time at 110-130mph. What kind of car do we think would be most efficient at this speed, without being right on the limiter?
I was thinking a 330D. Not sure which gearbox.
Perhaps a 320D ED would suffice?
There isn't much online about how economy looks at this kind of speed, any advice welcome. Thanks.
You'll be lucky the amount of times you'll see the unrestricted signs will be limited in the day time, you'll be travelling at similar speeds as you do now.
It all depends on how much you want to spend but I'd go with these.
E400d AMG Line Premium Plus:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211111...
Alpina D3 BiTurbo:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211241...
It all depends on how much you want to spend but I'd go with these.
E400d AMG Line Premium Plus:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211111...
Alpina D3 BiTurbo:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211241...
A Passat 2.0tdi will cruise quietly at 120mph… and be fairly efficient.
I drive a Golf Bluemotion 1.6tdi fairly often on the autobahn, I set the cruise at 110mph… it’s comfortable, quiet & stable… and the economy is good.
I‘ve noticed that the latest gen of fast(ish) petrol and diesel executive cars are also significantly more efficient than the previous generation.
I drive a Golf Bluemotion 1.6tdi fairly often on the autobahn, I set the cruise at 110mph… it’s comfortable, quiet & stable… and the economy is good.
I‘ve noticed that the latest gen of fast(ish) petrol and diesel executive cars are also significantly more efficient than the previous generation.
Previous discussion https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... yielded these graphs from an Auto Bild test some time ago, sadly the test itself no longer seems available online
I think a BMW diesel is probably a good call. The six-pots will obviously sustain a higher speed than the four-pots; I think the advantage of a smaller engine declines as it nears its top speed.
I think the auto gearboxes have more gears and thus a higher top gear which will be more efficient. A Touring may also be slightly better due to the longer roof.
The other option is to try and go for something with minimum cross-sectional area (low and narrow), however you lose diesel efficiency with such cars, as they're mostly petrol. I don't know how well a TT or Scirocco TDI does at 130mph or so.
I think a BMW diesel is probably a good call. The six-pots will obviously sustain a higher speed than the four-pots; I think the advantage of a smaller engine declines as it nears its top speed.
I think the auto gearboxes have more gears and thus a higher top gear which will be more efficient. A Touring may also be slightly better due to the longer roof.
The other option is to try and go for something with minimum cross-sectional area (low and narrow), however you lose diesel efficiency with such cars, as they're mostly petrol. I don't know how well a TT or Scirocco TDI does at 130mph or so.
If you want to be cruising at those speeds and literally living in the fast lane, make sure you are in a motor that can do it comfortably.
Ie as well as mpg, I’d be looking at something that can do 150+ to ease the stress of pulling in and out to let folk past and to get back into that lane safely.
Ie as well as mpg, I’d be looking at something that can do 150+ to ease the stress of pulling in and out to let folk past and to get back into that lane safely.
Where in Germany are you moving to, will you be using the same autobahns regularly? I ask because I live near Stuttgart and drive on two different sections of two different autobahns everyday. Neither is unrestricted and even if they were the sheer amount of traffic means that the average speed is probably closer to 50mph than 150mph. The idea that every autobahn is a drag strip isn't remotely true. Your location and average commute is much more relevant to deciding on a car. Diesel prices are generally higher than petrol prices here, and second hand values are much higher than the UK.
Are you looking at new or used, what's the budget? Forget looking at autotrader, you need mobile.de (set it to english if it helps).
Edit: According to your profile you have a Porsche 997.2 GT3 RS, Caterham R400, Porsche 964 RS and Ferrari FF, do you really need to worry about economy?
Are you looking at new or used, what's the budget? Forget looking at autotrader, you need mobile.de (set it to english if it helps).
Edit: According to your profile you have a Porsche 997.2 GT3 RS, Caterham R400, Porsche 964 RS and Ferrari FF, do you really need to worry about economy?
Edited by RedWhiteMonkey on Tuesday 29th November 08:13
RedWhiteMonkey said:
Where in Germany are you moving to, will you be using the same autobahns regularly? I ask because I live near Stuttgart and drive on two different sections of two different autobahns everyday. Neither is unrestricted and even if they were the sheer amount of traffic means that the average speed is probably closer to 50mph than 150mph. The idea that every autobahn is a drag strip isn't remotely true. Your location and average commute is much more relevant to deciding on a car. Diesel prices are generally higher than petrol prices here, and second hand values are much higher than the UK.
Are you looking at new or used, what's the budget? Forget looking at autotrader, you need mobile.de (set it to english if it helps).
Edit: According to your profile you have a Porsche 997.2 GT3 RS, Caterham R400, Porsche 964 RS and Ferrari FF, do you really need to worry about economy?
Good postAre you looking at new or used, what's the budget? Forget looking at autotrader, you need mobile.de (set it to english if it helps).
Edit: According to your profile you have a Porsche 997.2 GT3 RS, Caterham R400, Porsche 964 RS and Ferrari FF, do you really need to worry about economy?
You could have a play on spritmonitor.de. Narrow it down to a specific engine using fuel type (kraftstoffart) and horsepower (motorleistung).
I'd say a 150ps 2.0 TDI Golf or 163hp 320d ED will make for top MPG and allow you to keep up with most, but is it really worth the sacrifice in driving pleasure for the ultimate MPG? I'd spend a little more and look at a 640D, E400D. Definitely avoid the x50D engines if you want any kind of frugality when unleashing the horses.
A 330/530d (avoid Xdrive for higher MPG & reliability) will be a nice compromise and having one with active cruise/autopilot will help you deal with the stau.
I'd say a 150ps 2.0 TDI Golf or 163hp 320d ED will make for top MPG and allow you to keep up with most, but is it really worth the sacrifice in driving pleasure for the ultimate MPG? I'd spend a little more and look at a 640D, E400D. Definitely avoid the x50D engines if you want any kind of frugality when unleashing the horses.
A 330/530d (avoid Xdrive for higher MPG & reliability) will be a nice compromise and having one with active cruise/autopilot will help you deal with the stau.
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