A diesel van would be nice. it needs all the torque it can get to haul around a family. But I dont think the mass consumer is educated enough to know the benefits of a diesel engine. Most would reek when they see it requires diesel fuel, instead of the cheaper regular-grade gasoline.

 

I'd have to check again, but isn't diesel cheaper than regular gas now?

 

It is here - cheaper than regular by about 5%.

 

In socal, diesel is about the same as premium fuel

 

Exactly. That's what makes it more special. If I just told you about a Prius with a 500cc engine, you wouldn't say much. But a Suburban with a 1.0 litre engine, now that's something .

Remember, when cruising, you only need a small amout of hp to keep you going (I know since I've seen my cruise control shut off the engine and power via battery power on my Prius. That battery only puts out 28hp).

The idea of the Suburban project is to show that we can make the engine small enough for highway driving and let the battery do the rest in city mode. Oh, and of course it's pluggable to recharge at night.

 

I don't think you got his joke (hence the afterwards). You keep saying 60mph instead of 60mpg haha.