Correction: nothing says prick like Priapus and the condition for which he is named. To put it another way, "baby you can drive my car," but not for longer than four hours.

AUGHHHHH!!! Beat me to it.

I was going to say, you can't spell "Priapus" without "P-r-i-u-s".

Gasoline has 34.6 MJ/l and diesel has 38.7 MJ/l. therefor, a given quantity of diesel should carry you 12% farther than the same quantity of gas. 4.7 liters of diesel equals 5.3 liters of gasoline in energy content. Therefor the Prius is more fuel efficient than the Beemer.

We would also expect that diesel should cost 12% more than gas. Right now the price gap is closer to 23% so the Prius also got more miles per dollar.

The Prius loses because the battery will have to be replaced about every 7 years and then there is the problem of disposal of the toxic battery waste.

High mpg diesels are off the shelf technology, cheaper than hybrid technology, and can be produced in large quantities for most vehicle uses, including buses. Diesel is easier to produce than gasoline and with bio diesel and coal liquefication added into the mix the price of diesel should soon be less than that of gasoline. It just takes some leadership at the government and car manufacturing levels.

IMO it is the engine of choice for ground transportation until we can develop hydrogen or ????

I was not promoting the BMW over the Prius. They are different vehicles for different people in different situations. I was simply pointing out that the comparison is trickier than it might first appear to be.

Personally, I am happy with my 2002 V6 Accord. When I have to replace it, I will probably buy another Honda.