Re: [VACList] Tow vehicle Hummer H2, VW Touareg

["Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The popularity of the Hummer H2 amazes me.  In reality, it is a GM suburban
with a boxy body.  The real Hummer, the original one based on the military
Humvee is a completely different animal, which has high road clearance and a
four wheel independent suspension, etc.

Rather than buy the H2, just buy a Suburban - less money, lighter and better
fuel economy and comfort.  The only drawback -  it is less intimidating.

If you have a smaller trailer, the new Volkswagen Touareg, just released, is
an amazing vehicle. It is an SUV that can really do what most SUVs pretend
to be able to do.  Car and Driver called it the best SUV in the world.
Phenomenal off road capability with the most advanced 4 wheel drive system
on any vehicle (mechanical and computer managed) along with 4 wheel
independent suspension and an air suspension option for comfortable and
capable ride.

The factory stated towing capacity is over 7000 lbs, and the brochure even
shows a Touareg with a 25' Airstream!  VW is offering it with a W 10 (ten
cylinder dual vee) twin turbocharged 6 liter diesel engine with over 500 ft.
Lbs of torque.  The only drawback is the short wheel base.  Porsche offers a
more upscale version as the Cayenne. However, the VW version is very nicely
appointed - they didn't go cheap and/or sleazy.

In the ongoing dialog of gasoline vs. diesel, it is just a matter of time
before the American market recognizes the inherent superiority of the diesel
powerplant.  In Europe, diesel cars make up well over 50% of those on the
road.  Of course fuel prices, taxes and the availability of low sulfur
diesel fuel all have something to do with it.

Last fall, my wife and I visited some of her relatives in Germany.  One
cousin had a diesel BMW and drove us from Frankfurt to Munich at a steady
140 mph on the autobahn.  Another cousin has a big S class Mercedes, also
with a turbo diesel, and quite fast.  (Neither of these powerplants are
offered on these cars in the US.) Modern diesel engine technology (of the
last few years), specifically computer controlled, turbocharged, common rail
direct fuel injection  has solved the smoke, clatter and noise problems.
Thermodynamically, the diesel combustion cycle is a far more efficient one
than the Otto (gas engine) one.  With modern engineering, the old negatives
are no longer an issue (except, perhaps, initial cost - which is easily
lowered by increased volume production).

Oliver Filippi