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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2096.0. "Turbo/Diesel and Automatics ?" by LARVAE::HARVEY (Baldly going into the unknown...) Tue Jun 08 1993 21:08

    As a devotee of automatic gearboxes over recent years - I dropped on a gem 
    of a Triumph 2000 several years ago and became converted - I am intrigued 
    as to why we don't see many vehicles marrying auto boxes to turbo-diesel 
    engines. The ones I can think of are the big Citroen XMs and Mercs - and I 
    can't think of any more for now....
  
    Is there a technical reason for this or is it just plain ol' economics and 
    lack of interest in punters like me who DO like autos ? I think I can see 
    why no-one would put auto with an ordinary diesel as the acceleration might 
    leave something to be desired..... However, I do remember seeing a Citroen 
    BX 19 with this very combination a couple of years ago.
  
    Much as I like lusty 2 litre multivalve and fuel-injected petrol machines I 
    would quite like to think about saving a few more of my hard-earned pennies 
    on the go-juice by moving to a turbo-diesel, but my preference for auto 
    somewhat gets in the way !
  
    Anyone able to enlighten me ?
  
    Rog - wasted left leg muscles, skint but happy auto driver....
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2096.1PEKING::SMITHRWThe Great Pyramid of BlokeWed Jun 09 1993 10:1416
    Funny, I was reading an old issue of CAR last night ('86 vintage) that
    had a short item on the BX ci auto.  They reckoned it was equivalent in
    performance terms to a 1300 petrol auto.  Other reports I recall put
    forward the view that the engine and gearbox, although each very worthy
    items of kit, were mis-matched in this application.  Citro�n tried
    again, a few years later, after the power of the 19 XUD engine was
    increased, with a much happier result but "still a slow drive".
    
    All the above is, of course, hearsay.
    
    There's not an enormous number of turbo-diesels around, which may be
    part of the answer.
    
    Richard  (Currently non-fundholding Xantia turbo-diesel CVT purchasing
    opportunity... 8*) 8*) )
    
2096.2Might not all fit under bonnet?HEWIE::RUSSELLI'm not a free man, I'm a QS-PRMU9-04.Wed Jun 09 1993 10:1612
on the BX,  a garage told me it was "impossible" to fit the auto gearbox
on the turbo engine, due to the under bonnet clearances, etc.

This was also the reason you couldn't get air con with the auto on the
standard diesel.

However, I agree with you; the torque curve is ideal for the TD...

Maybe the Xantia will allow this combination?


Peter.
2096.3MGB::GILLOTTMark Gillott, CBN, 831-3172 (RKG)Wed Jun 09 1993 11:299
The current  range  of  ZX turbo diesels have an auto option.  I did look at
the  published  performance/mpg figures and remember thinking they were ok -
nothing startling, just ok.  Have you checked out the ZX?. 

Like you,  the  idea  of a TD + auto-box really appeals, its just that there
are very few about. 

Mark
2096.4and ABSPAPERS::CORNEJohn Corne - Product & Technology groupWed Jun 09 1993 12:245
    Many diesels also seem to lack ABS as an option - maybe the extra
    weight means its not required :-)
    
    Jc
    
2096.5WAYOUT::WAYOUT::LOATAhead groove factor 5! Yeah!Wed Jun 09 1993 13:255
A ZX Volcane Turbo Diesel with an auto box was tested by Autocar a while ago and
it got a very good review.

Steve.
2096.6.0 = 2000.6WIZZER::WEGGSome hard boiled eggs and some nuts.Wed Jun 09 1993 14:176
        re .0>
        
        NOTES> DIR/TITLE probably wasn't much help in finding note 2000,
        which is dedicated to the topic of Diesel Automatics :-)
        
        Ian.
2096.7Not a Turbo AutomaticTIMMII::RDAVIESAn expert AmateurWed Jun 09 1993 16:0314
    Let me set the record straight:
    From the current catalogue the ZX is available as diesel as 
    1.9 NON-Turbo 		REFLEX		AVANTAGE	AURA
    1.9 NON-Turbo AUTOMATIC 	REFLEX		AVANTAGE	AURA
    1.9 Turbo 			AVANTAGE	AURA		VOLCANE
    Hence the no-great-shakes performance of the automatic diesel 
    
    They are both 1905cc engines, hence maybe the confusion. 
    
    
    Richard
    P.S. The Xantia does not have automatic as an option on either the
    normally aspirated or Turbo diesels in the current catalogue.
    
2096.82 TestedFAILTE::THOMSONSThu Jun 10 1993 09:376
Auto Express tested a ZX Volcane turbo diesel automatic and a Seat Toledo
turbo diesel automatic a couple of months ago.



					Stuart
2096.9The facts come from the manufacturers dataTIMMII::TOMMII::RDAVIESAmateur ExpertThu Jun 10 1993 16:2010
This is getting worse!!!! NEITHER of these manufacturers has or has ever had the 
combination of Turbo-diesel and Automatic on offer. I should know, I'm following 
these closely as possibilities to replace my current lease.

The Citroen does offer an Automatic Normally aspirated diesel, the Seat only 
offers an automatic in petrol, and then on only one model, the 2.0 GTi.

Richard


2096.10You can get all the options on one car here...NZOMIS::FINLAYOnly at work if its raining....Fri Aug 13 1993 19:3011
    As a field engineer when I worked in Inverness I had a BX diesel
    followed by a BX diesel Automatic and then wanted a BX turbo auto, it
    was not available so I took the manual version. All were GREAT cars and
    I bought the BX auto at the end of its lease and kept it to 90,000
    miles.
    
    Now I am in New Zealand all the varients are available, they sell BX
    diesels, Turbo, ABS and air-con, the only problem is they take 8 weeks
    to arrive!! but worth waiting for.
    
    Richard