How come????

[s1120]

OK, so back in 1987 my wife and I bought a new Chevy sprint er. Out of that little car we got a easy 54MPG. This was a 1L 3cyl, with a carb.... Now fast foward to today... Ya there are some cars, mostly Hybrids that get that kinda millage... With todays tech, I dont see how that car/motor couls not have made a good 10 more MPG. So whats the deal? Why dont we have more cars like that with higher MPG will all the FI systems, better computer controls etc??

[SVOboy]

Cuz cars go so much faster and are much heavier. Find a graph plotting FE/time and HP/time or 0-60/time, it's nuts.

[Erdrick]

I personally would be really satisfied with a lightweight turbo-diesel. I am talking 1500 pounds, with a one liter engine. Perhaps even a two stage turbo for more even and steady boost... when you need it. With a nice coefficient of drag the car would be perfect. Unfortunately, other than the Aptera, there isn't a whole lot on the horizon that meets the above criteria.

[s1120]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Cuz cars go so much faster and are much heavier. Find a graph plotting FE/time and HP/time or 0-60/time, it's nuts.

Well I think thats it. They are taking the higher effency and making the cars more powerfull insted of more FE. Dont get me wrong. I LOVE HP!! [big block 72LTD convertible and a 70 Mustang in the garage, and a built Bronco comeing together] but for a daly driver do we NEED 150-200HP in a cumuter car???

[Gary Palmer]

Your right, they should be able to make cars that get much better mileage. The consumers however seem to be more interested in getting as good, or better performance, instead of the better mileage. They can probably get more money for a more powerful car, as well.

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by s1120

but for a daly driver do we NEED 150-200HP in a cumuter car???

No! But to take the kids to soccer practice... We need 150-200hp to move out 4 ton tank


This is why I really hope that SMART does really well in their first year... I'm really hoping the "consumers don't want high mpg cars" line the automakers have been feeding us is BS

[s1120]

Originally Posted by trebuchet03

No! But to take the kids to soccer practice... We need 150-200hp to move out 4 ton tank


This is why I really hope that SMART does really well in their first year... I'm really hoping the "consumers don't want high mpg cars" line the automakers have been feeding us is BS

Oh I can see that. My Windstar makes 200 but its a big, heavy van that can carry a lot. {no shortage of power eather. She scoots!]

[rh77]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Cuz cars go so much faster and are much heavier. Find a graph plotting FE/time and HP/time or 0-60/time, it's nuts.

It's becoming a mainstream phenomenon: USA Today had it on the front page a few months back, chronicling the Accord from 1984 to today. It's all growns-up. Same for the Civic, Corolla, Camry.

BTW, kudos this year to Hyundai for introducing a 4-cylinder in their base Sonata (which had the standard V-6 for a couple years).

I'm still looking forward to small Diesel cars, if that ever happens here.

[VetteOwner]

lol well i know that way way way back in the 1928-31 that ford model A's could see 25+mpg... kinda scary that in 100 years or so that cars hav ebeen around that we havent changed MPG wise much at all.