"Hi Daniel:
Great article. I think you should mention that diesel engines could reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 production by 25% as stated in the literature for the Jeep Liberty CRD. Imagine what could be achieved with a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine hooked to a CVT transmission in conjunction with hybrid technology (140 HP, 220 lb-ft of torque + hybrid 40 HP & 90 lb-ft). It would have loads of torque, plenty of HP, and terrific fuel economy.
Imagine the engine running at 1,600 rpm on the highway up over steep grades instead of the current gas 4-cylinder at 2,800 rpm on the flat and shifting all the time at first sight of a hill. Also something that could be done with the CVT (that hasn't) is under acceleration, have the gear ratio increase at a constant RPM effectively changing torque into HP. Diesels use almost no fuel when coasting as opposed to gas vehicles always sucking the in the volume needed for combustion. The sad part is this should have happened ten years ago. We'll skip this to go directly to fuel cell technology because it's more P.C..
Have the car companies call me, my head's full of these thoughts.
Jay Mackay."
Jay, you are probably right and I will give the message to them. However, let's not forget the pollutant emissions that still constitute a problem.
--------------------
"Hello,
I appreciated your article about vehicles being ever more powerful, more fuel-consuming (and you could've added bigger). It's rare to see so much common sense (and critical thinking) in a "car" column.
It worries me, as I thought to opt for the future 5-door Civic that I'm waiting impatiently for. Is it, in fact, incredible to see Honda base its advertising on fuel economy while launching its Ridgeline at the same time. I at least hope it will be a commercial flop with gas soon costing $1.
But, take away a doubt in my mind, how long has your article been a feature on Auto123.com? I can't recall seeing it yesterday, I read it this morning and now it's already gone. Was there any pressure?
Do you post in the forums? And as for as I'm concerned, I only read it. I would certainly contribute in it, notably for calming the spirits of those who find the Civic or the Golf not powerful enough although they both do a very good job, but I feel that I would get assassinated.
Good luck!
Pascal Vigot"
Pascal,
Thank you for your comment, But know that Auto123.com didn't get any pressure to take the article off of the feature page. As a matter of fact, they even re-featured it the next Monday. As for the forums, I've just started to participate, thanks to your suggestion. You can go ahead, too! You'll see, there are a lot of open-minded people.
Great article. I think you should mention that diesel engines could reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 production by 25% as stated in the literature for the Jeep Liberty CRD. Imagine what could be achieved with a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine hooked to a CVT transmission in conjunction with hybrid technology (140 HP, 220 lb-ft of torque + hybrid 40 HP & 90 lb-ft). It would have loads of torque, plenty of HP, and terrific fuel economy.
Imagine the engine running at 1,600 rpm on the highway up over steep grades instead of the current gas 4-cylinder at 2,800 rpm on the flat and shifting all the time at first sight of a hill. Also something that could be done with the CVT (that hasn't) is under acceleration, have the gear ratio increase at a constant RPM effectively changing torque into HP. Diesels use almost no fuel when coasting as opposed to gas vehicles always sucking the in the volume needed for combustion. The sad part is this should have happened ten years ago. We'll skip this to go directly to fuel cell technology because it's more P.C..
Have the car companies call me, my head's full of these thoughts.
Jay Mackay."
Jay, you are probably right and I will give the message to them. However, let's not forget the pollutant emissions that still constitute a problem.
--------------------
"Hello,
I appreciated your article about vehicles being ever more powerful, more fuel-consuming (and you could've added bigger). It's rare to see so much common sense (and critical thinking) in a "car" column.
It worries me, as I thought to opt for the future 5-door Civic that I'm waiting impatiently for. Is it, in fact, incredible to see Honda base its advertising on fuel economy while launching its Ridgeline at the same time. I at least hope it will be a commercial flop with gas soon costing $1.
But, take away a doubt in my mind, how long has your article been a feature on Auto123.com? I can't recall seeing it yesterday, I read it this morning and now it's already gone. Was there any pressure?
Do you post in the forums? And as for as I'm concerned, I only read it. I would certainly contribute in it, notably for calming the spirits of those who find the Civic or the Golf not powerful enough although they both do a very good job, but I feel that I would get assassinated.
Good luck!
Pascal Vigot"
Pascal,
Thank you for your comment, But know that Auto123.com didn't get any pressure to take the article off of the feature page. As a matter of fact, they even re-featured it the next Monday. As for the forums, I've just started to participate, thanks to your suggestion. You can go ahead, too! You'll see, there are a lot of open-minded people.