AUGUST 2011

Ownership ComparoDIESEL

Ownership ComparoDIESEL Vs PETROL

Ownership Comparo

Since 2010 I’ve been thinking why

more expensive than their petrol variants.

engines and diesel is cheap too, but does it really

In April 2010, I thought out well and put it on paper,

would be spent on the next 3 year

As of now, I’m comparing the most respected car in the C

Both Petrol and Diesel Variants in their top of the line

transmission.

ve been thinking why people buy Diesel cars, even though they are over a lakh

more expensive than their petrol variants. Certainly they are one of the most fuel efficient

is cheap too, but does it really make any sense?!.

In April 2010, I thought out well and put it on paper, calculated the exact amount of money that

spent on the next 3 years of my new car that I was going to buy.

m comparing the most respected car in the C-segment market, the VW Ven

Both Petrol and Diesel Variants in their top of the line ‘Highline’ trim with 5-speed manual

buy Diesel cars, even though they are over a lakh

one of the most fuel efficient

calculated the exact amount of money that

segment market, the VW Vento,

speed manual

Tech Specs

Variant

Displacement (litres)

Power (bhp)

Torque (Nm)

0-100 kmph (secs)

Top Speed (kmph)

Kerb Weight (kgs)

Fuel Economy

Variant

City

Highway

Overall

Prices

Variant

Ex-Showroom (Delhi)

On Road Price (Delhi)

Volkswagen VentoVentoVentoVento

Highline Diesel Highline Petrol

1.6 1.6

105 105

250 153

12.3 11.9

180 192

1220 1120

Highline Diesel Highline Petrol

13.3 12.1

19.1 16.7

14.8 13.1

Highline Diesel Highline Petrol

INR 9,23,000 INR 8,23,000

INR 10,30,000 INR 9,20,000

Petrol

Petrol

Petrol

8,23,000

INR 9,20,000

1st year with an average run of 16,000kms

Variant Highline Diesel Highline Petrol

Total Fuel Consumed (litres) 1081.8 1221.3

Cost of Fuel / Litre INR 41.29 INR 63.70

Total cost of fuel INR 44,637 INR 77,801

Added to the car’s cost INR 10,74,637 INR 9,97,801

Difference in the cost of ownership in the 1st year

DIESEL – PETROL = INR 76,836

2nd

year with an average run of 35,000kms

Variant Highline Diesel Highline Petrol

Total Fuel Consumed (litres) 2364 2671

Cost of Fuel / Litre INR 41.29 INR 63.70

Total cost of fuel INR 97,609 INR 1,70,190

Added to the car’s cost INR 11,27,609 INR 10,90,190

Difference in the cost of ownership in the 2nd

year

DIESEL – PETROL = INR 37,419

3rd year with an average run of 47,000kms

Variant Highline Diesel Highline Petrol

Total Fuel Consumed (litres) 3157 3587

Cost of Fuel / Litre INR 41.29 INR 63.70

Total cost of fuel INR 1,31,095 INR 2,28,491

Added to the car’s cost INR 11,61,095 INR 11,48,491

Difference in the cost of ownership in the 3rd year

DIESEL – PETROL = INR 12,604

Therefore, it could be clearly seen, that more or less, petrol cars cost marginally cheaper than

the diesel ones, even though diesel is cheap to buy and the cars give a better fuel economy.

And I haven’t even added the cost of maintenance of various mechanical and engine parts

which indeed are more expensive in the diesel engine’s basket than the petrol’s.!

Petrol still is a sensible choice.

Ishaan Bharadwaj...’

Editor, Automobilia