Diesels as Small Cars used in Cities, and even as Taxis should have been killed off years ago.

Why should diesel taxis have been killed off years ago?

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Diesel Taxis & Mini Cabs in Cities, Euro 4 Emission and older dirty diesels, 

why do you think?

If the Customers were paying the right fares, then the operators could be driving decent non polluting vehicles,

not some old shed that gets past a Test and still belches out as many do.

If the Customers were paying the right fares, then the operators could be driving decent non polluting vehicles,

And what exactly is 'the right fares?'

Clearly you are not in the industry or you wouldn't be making the comments you are. It's all well and good having a Toyota Prius, but try getting four people and their luggage to the airport in one. It ain't going to happen. It cost hundreds, yes hundreds of pounds a week to run a taxi as it is, and that's with economical modern Diesel engines. Switching to petrol doesn't solve anything because they produce more CO2 than a diesel, so jus what do you propose?

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Edit: for the record my car is a 14 plate euro 6 Superb, and as soon as it is paid off in two years it will be sold and another probably even more efficient diesel will be bought.

Edited 10 July, 201510 yr by Jaytip

A proper fare set by the Local Authority that allows Licensed Operators to Earn Enough and invest in Proper Non Polluting Vehicles, or lower polluting vehicles.

and even give Grants as has happened in the past in some areas such as when Taxi's were encouraged to use LPG.

Grants as well so that all vehicles are disabled passenger suitable, and get the Old Not Modern Vehicles off the roads.

The Government & Local Authorities have allowed cr4p motors on the roads for too long now, 

and that includes Public Service Buses.

 

Actually i do know rather a lot about the Industry, in Scotland at least, and the Costs & Overheads, maintenance and testing, 

and DPF's that were removed, and cars clocked and the likes.

Also about the Companies Leasing the vehicles to Drivers and Drivers Hiring Cars,

White Plate cars as well.

 

If you have a Modern & Economical Vehicle then that is fine, 

but you must know others that do not, but maybe that is not in your area,

No idea where your area is anyway.

Edited 10 July, 201510 yr by goneoffSKi

Well, this is all going slightly off topic! Getting back on track -

 

Is the 1.4 powerful enough? General consensus is yes, but under the right conditions. As those have been discussed you'll need to asses these under your personal circumstances

The fares ARE set by the local authorities where I am and people moan about paying those, charge more and we would lose work. And just what exactly are non polluting vehicles? The reality is they don't exist. Even an electric vehicle costs substantially more to produce (higher pollution at the place of manufacture) are not as efficient (expensive heavy batteries) which need to be charged at the mains which uses electricity which comes from power stations, and coal fired power stations are notoriously bad for pollution so there is no 'non polluting vehicle' in reality.

What I will agree with you on is that older non DPF taxis (and buses, lorries etc) should be made to come off the road at a certain age.

As for clocking of vehicles, that has no effect on emissions whatsoever so I don't really understand the inclusion of it in this conversation.

Yes, I apologise for going off topic.

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Edited 10 July, 201510 yr by Jaytip

EDIT,

The Clocking,

In 2009 there were Private Hire Vehicles Leasing Vehicles as Private Users,

French Models in many Cases, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot cheap Lease offers.

but these Vehicles were the new Euro 5 cars, and the DPF was Clogging & having to go back to the Dealer, 

so the 'Drivers' were having a DPF Removed and Software Delete, and Clocking Cars so as to look like

private use only and staying in the Mileage Limits, but then there were Investigations, from the Police & Licencing, 

and Prosecutions or just Licences Surrendered.  It happened in Plenty of Areas,

 

 

Have you heard of Renewables and onshore and offshore electricity generation,

like Scotland Now Produces too much of that which is not being used.

Scotland has more and more free charging points, and England has the Biggest Offshore Wind Farms in the World up and generating now.  The Energy being produced when not used can not be stored other than with Hydro Pumping,

but it can be stored and used in Public Transport Vehicles and Private or Commercial Vehicles.

 

Its odd that some Areas & Companies can have companies claiming to be Carbon Neutral with Driver Training, Vehicles etc,

and others are just carrying on as things always have been.

 

Anyway, you have your modern vehicle, must be making a living from it, so all is well with you.

 

The New Superb was being Launched just a few miles away for extensive Wind Farms 2 weeks ago,

& just 5 miles up the road a nice new Public Fast Charge Point has been Installed,

If they are used there will be more made available.

Charging Points at Ranks are not beyond the wit of man.

http://ukevse.org.uk/charge-point-chargers/charge-point-grantsschemes

Edited 10 July, 201510 yr by goneoffSKi

This is the is the first iv heard about cylinder shutdown in this car. might be the tipping point in the Superbs favour. 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/skoda/superb/91360/skoda-superb-14-tsi-2015-review

 

Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI 2015 review

While the new 148bhp Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI we drove last week is the obvious choice, and the predicted best-seller for UK buyers, this 148bhp 1.4 TSI model could make more sense for many. Not only is it smoother and quieter to drive than the diesel, but it attracts the lowest benefit in kind tax rate (18 per cent) of the entire range, so company car buyers that don’t cover massive miles will be quids in.

There is an even cheaper 123bhp 1.4 TSI engine only available in entry-level ‘S’ trim, but it’s actually less efficient, thanks to some a clever cylinder deactivation system on the more powerful model driven here. By shutting down two cylinders on light throttle loads (you know when ‘2-cyl mode’ is active via the digital display in the middle of the instrument cluster, but you won’t feel the switch over) it returns fuel economy and CO2 emissions of 57.7mpg and 115g/km in the manual version we drove. 

 

When the engine’s firing on all four cylinders, it’s not short of performance. There’s a short pause when you floor the throttle, followed be a satisfying surge of acceleration that sustains all the way to 6,000rpm. At idle you can barely hear that the engine’s on, and even at motorway speeds it’s a distant whisper.

We praised the DSG auto ‘box previously for its telepathic decision making, seamless shifts and for adding an extra notch of sophistication to the experience, but sticking with the manual isn’t much of a compromise. The chunky lever slots between gears with the minimum of effort, in keeping with the Skoda Superb’s easy-to use ethos.

Our test car was fitted with optional three-stage adaptive dampers, which are probably an extravagance too far. There’s a marked difference between Comfort, Normal and Sport modes – the first two are comfortable in a straight line, but struggle to control the body movement in bends, and while Sport is a definite improvement it’s a bit brittle on crumbling surfaces you find all too often in the UK. We suspect that fixed-rate damper option, pitched somewhere in the middle, will be just fine, considering the Superb is a car that’s about refinement and comfort, not high-speed cornering.

Edited 11 July, 201510 yr by Svend

 Thanks for every ones advice and opinions on this matter, im going to go and have a chat with the dealers and see when i can have a demo, think il be demented in the coming weeks trying to make my mind up about which car to go for there is a lot of good motors out at the moment.

I have a 3 year old VW Scirroco with a 1.4 TSI 160ps DSG petrol engine... had it from new.

Although it is a fast-ish car (about 8 secs 0/60), it does have to work (rev) hard to deliver it. Having said that, general driving is pretty nippy and the DSG box makes it a nice, smooth and fast ride. Superb 1.4 is likely to be similar but just a little slower (8.8 secs 0/60) as its a heavier car.

I do miss the relatively effortless 1.9 and 2 litre diesel engines I've had in the past and so considered the 2 litre diesel Superb SE L Exec... in the end chose to go for the 1.4 petrol as its a little cheaper and allows me to spend the difference on a few extra options and stay within budget.

Environmental impact was a consideration but as I read about Superb diesel models will come with SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction system) to help reducing emissions of oxides of nitrogen (aka the nastiest of the nasties)... it made me feel less bad about it.

Have not researched this fully though, as the prime basis of my decision was cost.

After owning a 2003 Skoda Superb I 1.9PD for 10 years I've recently changed to a 2014 Superb 1.4tsi twindoor after being really impressed after an extended test drive. It was a great deal - obviously due to the new model coming out!!

 

Whilst the driving style is different I love the way the 1.4 drives - pulls reasonably well and is VERY refined. My biggest issue is you can only tell that you are cruising in 4th or 6th at 60 by looking at the selected gear number on the dash - you can't hear the engine at this speed! Held it's own reasonably well on a heavily laden recent trip to Germany

 

Economy whilst not quite as good as my old Superb 1.9 (50mpg) - is not far behind (46.5 on the last fill)

 

Can only think in a lighter Mk III with more power it will be er -  "Superb"

Edited 23 July, 201510 yr by bigjohn

After owning a 2003 Skoda Superb I 1.9PD for 10 years I've recently changed to a 2014 Superb 1.4tsi twindoor after being really impressed after an extended test drive. It was a great deal - obviously due to the new model coming out!!

 

Whilst the driving style is different I love the way the 1.4 drives - pulls reasonably well and is VERY refined. My biggest issue is you can only tell that you are cruising in 4th or 6th at 60 by looking at the selected gear number on the dash - you can't hear the engine at this speed! Held it's own reasonably well on a heavily laden recent trip to Germany

 

Economy whilst not quite as good as my old Superb 1.9 (50mpg) - is not far behind (46.5 on the last fill)

 

Can only think in a lighter Mk III with more power it will be er -  "Superb"

I have that problem in my A4 2.4 when running tip. 

After owning a 2003 Skoda Superb I 1.9PD for 10 years I've recently changed to a 2014 Superb 1.4tsi twindoor after being really impressed after an extended test drive. It was a great deal - obviously due to the new model coming out!!

Whilst the driving style is different I love the way the 1.4 drives - pulls reasonably well and is VERY refined. My biggest issue is you can only tell that you are cruising in 4th or 6th at 60 by looking at the selected gear number on the dash - you can't hear the engine at this speed! Held it's own reasonably well on a heavily laden recent trip to Germany

Economy whilst not quite as good as my old Superb 1.9 (50mpg) - is not far behind (46.5 on the last fill)

Can only think in a lighter Mk III with more power it will be er - "Superb"

46.5 MPG, is that a motorway run or combined figure?

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Just did 170+ miles in a 1.4tsi 150PS ACT and 40+ in a 150 TD over the highlands of Scotland. AS with anything it depends on how and what you need...

 

I and others I spoke to preferred the 1.4tsi. I felt it was smooth and enough to get you from 30 to 60 in 5ish seconds. Overtaking, exposure to dangers etc the 1.4 felt more usable than the diesel. The diesel has the torque wave which can be addictive. M-way cruising all day, every day, diesel, driving it, petrol... But honestly 2 up on A roads the 1.4 didn't even struggle to impress. We ran out of road and NSL long before we thought this 1.4 isn't doing much for us. Noise from the diesel wasn't obvious, the petrol was even better.

 

Now the 125PS option might be another thing, but the 150PS ACT was fine. I can't quote you mpg because most of the 40 miles was in 3rd or 4th up and down the box seeing how well it drove. 6th at 60mph was 2k rpm, it pulled from 1500, responsive around to 5 tailing off towards red @6. Probably due to the torque wave it's easier to not know your speed in the diesel, both do and pull 60 easily, too easily!

 

Now load up the 1900+litres of space with diving gear and I expect the diesel will pull the same every day. Really depends on your use case...

 

 

HTH.

46.5 MPG, is that a motorway run or combined figure?

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Thats a combined figure - Commute ( A roads inc single/dual) + round town.

 

On the same set of journeys my old 1.9 pd 100 MK I did 50 mpg

Edited 25 July, 201510 yr by bigjohn

46.5 MPG, is that a motorway run or combined figure?

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Filled up again today - this time 45.6 mixed driving -  measured tank to tank.

 

Today I was poddling around town and averaged about 40mpg (no horrific traffic).On the motorway in Europe averaged 47mpg including higher (some much!) speed  runs. I've not really done a long slower UK motorway run yet

ColinD, thanks for posting your review on the new superb, especially on the 1.4 ACT engine.

ColinD, thanks for posting your review on the new superb, especially on the 1.4 ACT engine.

 

Seconded,

 

Colin D - Did you ever spot the Active Cylinder Technology in action - i.e. dropping to two cylinders & back to four

 

Interesting re "6th at 60mph was 2k rpm" because thats what my mk II 1.4 does (heavier & lower power) - clearly an overdrive

Edited 26 July, 201510 yr by bigjohn

Thats a combined figure - Commute ( A roads inc single/dual) + round town.

On the same set of journeys my old 1.9 pd 100 MK I did 50 mpg

Thanks for that.

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Seconded,

 

Colin D - Did you ever spot the Active Cylinder Technology in action - i.e. dropping to two cylinders & back to four

 

Interesting re "6th at 60mph was 2k rpm" because thats what my mk II 1.4 does (heavier & lower power) - clearly an overdrive

 

Didn't spot ACT, if it works like it says then it's a big step up for economy, if not this generation in a few cycles. The other guy I was with Andrew, said it's almost impossible to spot in the other models. So we gave up and went back to testing third gear.

Hey,

I just came out of a 170bhp superb elegance - manual and am driving around in a Passat 1.4act 150 bhp manual and I must say I'm really impressed with the engine. When it's driving on 2 cylinders it's a wee bit shakey and you have to be very light on the pedal to get it into two cylinder mode. What I struggle with is the constantly having to change gear as there's a lot less torque than I'm used to.

In a few months I'll be allowed to place an order for my new company car, as my driving style has change - a quicker commute to work in stop start traffic and some long motorway tours on the weekend I'm going for the 1.8 tsi in l&k spec mated to a dsg.

Why am I doing this? I don't pay for fuel but think the 280 is too thirsty. The 1.4act doesn't come in l&k spec and if I were to go for the 1.4act I would have to go for a dsg box.

One thing that disturbs me about the 1.4act on the Passat - is that it doesn't have a visible tailpipe. I don't know if it's the same as the superb but I grew up thinking two tailpipes were so awesome so I can't quite get over paying for a car with no visible tailpipe.

I'd be happy to help you with more info on the 1.4act whilst I've still got the car.

One thing that disturbs me about the 1.4act on the Passat - is that it doesn't have a visible tailpipe. I don't know if it's the same as the superb but I grew up thinking two tailpipes were so awesome so I can't quite get over paying for a car with no visible tailpipe.

 

The MKIII Superb is the same, the only engine that gets visible tailpipes is the 280

I keep seeing these digits...ACT...what do they mean?

I keep seeing these digits...ACT...what do they mean?

Active Cylinder Technology

Active Cylinder Technology

Thank you.