Replacing Car - Limited Diesel Options
Hello Everyone,
My current tow car, XC60 - 2.0L Diesel is coming up for renewal but Volvo have now stopped making diesel cars. I have been very impressed with the car, it pulls my 1800Kg Twin axle with ease, even up some decent hills, so i am now a bit concerned regarding a new car. Volvo have offered me an alternative, which is a 2.0L petrol, it has more Horse Power (250bhp compared to 195bhp) but less torque (360n/m compared to 420n/m). I was always lead to believe that the torque was important when towing, so I am just looking for some opinion on towing with a petrol car. Both versions can pull 2400Kg so I am ok with that but I don't understand the numbers and need to ensure I get a car that does the job just as well.
Thanks
Andy
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Whilst I have no idea assisting you with a Volvo,I have changed from a diesel to a petrol,I had a Ford Kuga 2.0 l 4x4 163 bhp manual,fantastic tow vehicle unfortunately euro 5 engine meaning a £12.50 charge for ulez as I live nearby.
New tow vehicle is a Skoda Superb petrol auto with 190 bhp and what a delight to tow with.The auto box is smooth,love the pulling away which is effortless.As for the torque,I have no idea's of any figures, all I know is it tow's and pulls, safely and power is available if required.
Downside now,Kuga returned 34-36 mpg Skoda 28-30 mpg. Towing .Solo Kuga 40 mpg + Skoda under 40 mpg
Just edited my own post to say,these figures probably would reduce the gap due to price difference between petrol and diesel on the forecourt.
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We have pulled horse boxes with petrol cars, far heavier than caravans we have owned, so providing you do the weight match, I don’t think you will struggle with a petrol option.
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Do not be concerned about the swap to petrol. If the spec shows it is capable of doing the job then buy it. After towing with 2.0L diesels in a VW Touran and Skoda Yeti I swapped to a 1.5L petrol in an Audi The bhp is higher and the torque the same, but the towing experience is different. I have found the petrol engine to be far more flexible as the power is available across a rev range of twice the diesel.
I find in solo driving my mpg is similar, possibly slightly better, but towing It is slightly thirstier. I'm not sure if you will notice such a large hit, as larger capacity engines seem to fair better in the fuel increase than smaller engines when you have a van on the back. They do not have to work so much harder than the smaller capacity engines.
Colin
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Torque at 360n/m looks fine for towing almost any twin axle. There looks to be plenty of power and torque although I have never driven the Volvo. Given the figures you quote I would not worry. You do not say what you tow so we have to guess the actual weights. though.
I have driven many similar powered petrol and diesel engine cars over the years and generally petrol engines work once you get used to the different driving characteristics. They are a bit thirstier and require a few more revs to get them going and might need an additional downshift some times, if you go for a manual.
If you like the Volvo best I would go for it but if you are open minded on makes you could checkout the figures and test drive what looks best to you. Remember for most of us the towing mileage is a small percentage of our driving and a car you can live with on a day to day basis is the most important thing.
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Thanks for all your input, most helpful.
Just for info I am towing a 2022 Elddis Crusader Borealis which has max MTPLM of 1800kg and we run just under that weight.
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You say coming up for renewal, Is it a company car? if Yes, have you considered an EV? The Polestar 4 can tow up to 2000kg in AWD spec and will save a huge amount in BIK.
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