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CNG Bi-Fuel F-350 vs. VW TDI vs. BMW 5-Series: Discover Which Wins The Fuel-Economy Title

NGT News -- Venchurs Vehicle Systems says one of its converted compressed natural gas (CNG) bi-fuel Ford F-350 pickup trucks was recently pitted against a Volkswagen Passat TDI and a BMW 5-Series on the History Channel's "Top Gear" program to determine which vehicle offered the best fuel economy.

The episode, which will re-air on Thurs., Sept. 13, at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, was dubbed "One Tank." The show's hosts were required to drive from Portland, Ore., to San Francisco without stopping for fuel.

Venchurs, which is keeping the results of the match-up close to its chest, commented only that the CNG bi-fuel truck "performed extremely well in the test, highlighting its long-range capabilities and the seamless transition from CNG to gasoline operation."


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Submitted Sep 07, 2012 By: skb69sa
Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics Add to favorite topics  
Author Topic: CNG Bi-Fuel F-350 vs. VW TDI vs. BMW 5-Series: Discover Which Wins The Fuel-Economy Title Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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orphancarguyPE
Champion Author PEI

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 10:21:32 PM

Drive two diesel wagons and one gasser wagon at present. The old diesel gets 50 mpg (US) on average with a manual transmission, the bigger, heavier, 50% more powerful diesel gets 40 US mpg on average, with an automatic. The Subaru Forester gets 30 mpg with a manual. My guess is the VW TDI aces it in mpg, but 'cost per mile' is the real test for these three oddfellows
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BigTruc
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:44:17 PM

I wanna watch that.
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Bussman
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 12:40:04 PM

I love my VW Jetta TDI!
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nevaeh04
Rookie Author Texas

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:48:13 AM

WOW
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shiftdnb
Rookie Author Albany

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:36:58 AM

Interesting to read this article as I just got a TDI Touareg and was interested in seeing the gas mileage of the CNG truck. A little unfair they pit a F350 against a Passat and a BMW 5 series. I'm loving the TDI, as I've been getting 28 mpg in a pretty big SUV with a lot of power.
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Skunk63
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:10:00 AM

I'm watching that episode.
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ss70
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 10:57:12 AM

CNG bifuel vehicles should be way going forward
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crep1291
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 10:50:12 AM

Interesting, but I didn't feel like having to watch a 45min. video recording. Anyone else did? What's the conclusion?
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eschroth442
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 10:31:36 AM

Gotta love "Top Gear"
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puinsai808
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 9:53:54 AM

cool
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zwsn01
All-Star Author Alabama

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 8:15:38 AM

The bi-fuel sounds like a good idea until we can get CNG stations everywhere.
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Gas_Eyes
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 8:10:01 AM

With CNG almost half the price to gasoline, it should beat any gasoline or diesel car.
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OldMan322
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 8:01:36 AM

Was it a fair test
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335d1
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 7:25:42 AM

It was a good show. Go turbodiesels!
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albyneau
Sophomore Author California

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:56:08 AM

Yeah~ TDI RULES~! And it was even broken....
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lgwhitlock
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:44:27 AM

The turbo diesel wins...
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mazdaboy
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:18:59 AM

The Passat wins, the F-350 didn't even get 15 mpg.
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findcheap
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:16:02 AM

ok
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pa79th
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:14:39 AM

Who cares at this point. Convert!
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speedys
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:13:43 AM

I seen it already and the fuel capacities were not very equal for this kind of test.
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vulcan96
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:13:14 AM

ok - i guess we wait.....
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Samo1961
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:11:41 AM

Lets hope for the best!!
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SparkieMi
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:11:05 AM

Interesting....
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ddgb40
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:10:02 AM

Ok
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ddgb40
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:09:20 AM

Ok
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steve621
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:07:07 AM

ok
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runner74
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:05:48 AM

ok
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kd5kpd
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 3:01:25 AM

How big was the tanks??
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Buddy2264
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:59:50 AM

Let's see how the test goes.
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oldhillbillyAZ
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:56:06 AM

Kinda Goofy Comparison....How much did each vehicle cost...How much did the fuel cost in each one for the trip.
I believe it created more questions than it answered.
Like one of the posters said... maybe it was supposed to just be humor.
Ha Ha
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AuburnTim
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:46:48 AM

000
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Happytalk
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:46:40 AM

not for me
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76chevy
Champion Author Toledo

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:39:52 AM

comparing apples and oranges
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Retowered
Champion Author Colorado

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:38:26 AM

Interesting, I think that i would pick Ford. But I can't afford any of them my self.
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jcurley
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:37:55 AM

(Tank) size matters.
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DblChek
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:36:24 AM

I'm beginning to understand the "ok" comments.
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gasmack
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:34:49 AM

Interesting. Can't wait to view it.
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Gas Thirsty
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:34:02 AM

Interesting. I think I'll check out the episode.
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memo81
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:27:48 AM

ok
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hok
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:25:29 AM

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furiousfowl
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:25:15 AM

Couldn't afford any of them.
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hank1326
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:22:01 AM

The key is cost efficiency.
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gmcgas
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:21:10 AM

hummmmm
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viperND
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:19:16 AM

m'kay
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WBBNC
Veteran Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:18:40 AM

Interesting
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TIGERPAW46
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:16:31 AM

CNG is highly explosive. The LNG is much safer.

Not only do you have to watch a video for results, the title is misleading & the video has adds before & within it.

[Edited by: TIGERPAW46 at 9/7/2012 2:20:13 AM EST]
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Matt G
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:13:52 AM

Ok
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UseLessGasFolks
Champion Author Iowa

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:13:10 AM


Did the VW and BMW get 2 fuel tanks also?
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LVNV6ofSpades
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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:12:39 AM

ok
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wz
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 2:11:47 AM

Worth the watch.
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