So... what car do you guys drive when not flying?

[Quickstatus]

collectability of classic modern diesels.

I reckon the Lc200 diesel will be as classic as the 70

 

[tgh]

as classic as the 70

Revered perhaps , for tractor-ability rather than as a technological high point.

 

[Quickstatus]

tractor-ability

Almost agricultural.
I had a truck deliver some horse feed to me.
Instructions were given to not drive on the grass as it’s wet and and has slight slope the truck will get bogged. Unfortunately the driver never got message. GVM 8T but not fully loaded.

Pulled him out with the LC200 diff locks activated.

 

[Quickstatus]

as car manufacturers move towards hybrids and electric

Not only cars . The Hino 300 flatbed has a diesel electric version

Diesel electric technology has been around for decades. After all how did non nuclear powered submarines operate underwater?

I wonder if marketing “diesel electric” is better than “hybrid”

 

[Quickstatus]

been a long wait.

Do you know why the shortage?

 

[Flashback]

Do you know why the shortage?

General shortage on high end processors I think, either that or the GPU.

 

[Quickstatus]

high end processors

I’m pretty certain Toyotas don’t have high end processors

 

[JessicaTam]

Not only cars . The Hino 300 flatbed has a diesel electric version

Diesel electric technology has been around for decades. After all how did non nuclear powered submarines operate underwater?

I wonder if marketing “diesel electric” is better than “hybrid”

And of course freight trains in AU are also diesel electric.

And in other news, I have pushed the 'buy' button on a new car. A D250 Defender 110 base model with a few extras.

Delivery in July ... maybe.

 

[JohnM]

And of course freight trains in AU are also diesel electric.

And in other news, I have pushed the 'buy' button on a new car. A D250 Defender 110 base model with a few extras.

Delivery in July ... maybe.

That's the 3.0L diesel, is it not?

 

[Quickstatus]

That's the 3.0L diesel, is it not?

Yes, and it is an inline 6: These are the best ICE engines around:

I believe not only is it a 6cyl, it is an inline 6 which is arguably the best engine in terms of balance and smoothness. (superb 1st and 2nd order crankshaft harmonics). 4 cyls are good except that there is an upper limit of 2litres of so. Any larger capacity and the highest rpm needs to be derated.
IIRC The older BMWs all had inline 6.

Im hoping the LC300 will have a similar engine

 

[Quickstatus]

And the inline 6 is making a comeback elsewhere .
Rumours are that Mazda Cx series will have an inline 6. apparently Cx5 and above because these engines are long

 

[JessicaTam]

That's the 3.0L diesel, is it not?

As @Quickstatus has already replied, yes. They also offer a D300 (299 bhp/220 kW) which is the same engine but tuned slightly higher.

 

[jb747]

I haven't driven a D250 yet. Have to fix that. But I did enjoy my drive of the D240 Defender.

 

[Cossie]

Brand new Mini Moke anyone?

MOKE : INTRODUCING THE ELECTRIC MOKE - MOKE®

MOKE is the must-have beach accessory and is now all-electric. Manufactured in the UK, it is available this summer from St Barth to St Tropez...

mokeinternational.com

 

[kookaburra75]

Brand new Mini Moke anyone?

MOKE : INTRODUCING THE ELECTRIC MOKE - MOKE®

MOKE is the must-have beach accessory and is now all-electric. Manufactured in the UK, it is available this summer from St Barth to St Tropez...

mokeinternational.com

No, I was spoilt with a Moke Californian when living in Kununurra in the 80's. That car, owned by one of my house mates went everywhere, with enormous loads. If it got stuck, we could lift it up and carry it over the obstacle. And then, when travelling to Macau in the mid 80's, when we got off the ferry, there in front of us was the Macau Moke rental. We promptly grabbed one and spent a few days racing around the roads, and parts of the GP track. A new Moke just wouldn't be the same.

 

[Cossie]

I got to drive one when I worked for weeds and seeds, it pulled a trailer with 44 gallon tank an spray gear, went anywhere. We also had a forward control Land Rover, no seat belts and the flex was such the opposite door would open if you went around a corner too quickly!

 

[Quickstatus]

About to instal a towbar to a Passat Alltrack station wagon.
It has parking sensors

OEM towbar circa $2200
Aftermarket $1300

As far as I can tell the difference is the aftermarket one does not talk to ECU to disable parking sensors when towing - so have to manually turn off parking sensors which is not a biggie.

Any other pros and cons?

 

[tgh]

On the eg, the VW towing software makes many changes including (I believe) ems and shift profiles.
It also disables the lane assist but does not enable it when the trailer is off which is a pita.

 

[jb747]

Ah, the joys of trying to find a gear, any gear, in a Moke.

 

[Buzzard]

Pretty soon they will be dumping all diesel variants of all cars here as the UK bans them shortly.... or just ceasing production all together as car manufacturers move towards hybrids and electric. Will be interesting to see how far behind Australia is with that!

I think the problem with Australia is that there are some vast distances between places and if installing charging stations is going to be as efficient as the NBN roll out, don't hold your breath.
The other thing I want to know is, how are we going to power the charging stations?