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"I read your article on power, fuel economy and pollution with astonishment. I noticed that all your sayings were true, verified and quantified, except one. Today's engines can consume as much fuel as before, but don't all pollute as much as before. In my opinion, pollution emanating from an engine is not directly proportionate with its fuel consumption (and its power).
Example: Duratec 2.0L 136 hp, and Zetec 2.0L 130 hp
Both engines consume the same, but the Duratec produces a third less emissions and is more powerful.
(Zetec: 7.9L, Duratec: 8.0L, Annuel de l'Auto 2004, 2005)
I also think that modern engines are more powerful than the ones in the 1970s while polluting less... I seriously doubt that a 1970 Corvette pollutes less and performs less than the new generation.
Also, the 2005 Corolla shouldn't be compared with the 1985 Corolla. The entry-level model (and comparatively sized with the 1985 one) is the 2005 Echo. Their engines are of similar displacement (1.5L and 1.6L) and of more similar outputs (75-124 and 108). I unfortunately don't have a 1985 Guide de l'Auto, but I am curious to compare the dimensions and the weight of the Echo with the 1985 Corolla.
The fact is in 20 years, most of Toyota's models have gained kilograms (and horsepower). The space left by the Corolla was taken by the Echo, who in a few years might become as big as a Corolla as a Corolla might become as big as a Camry. The biggest model (Avalon) becomes so big that its sales drop and is slowly abandoned... many manufacturers are tempted sooner or later to "evolve" their models upwards (ex.: Volkswagen Golf and Jetta, BMW 3-Series, and Honda Accord) and when the entry-level model is evolved upwards too much, a new model is introduced to replace it (downwards). You just have to compare the dimensions of mentioned models.
David Roberge"
David,
You are right to say that cars pollute less than before, I never said they were polluting as much as before, I said that they emanate as much greenhouse gas emissions as before. As for the Echo, it doesn't replace the Corolla, but the Tercel.
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"I pay $2,000 more a year for gas for driving pleasure...
So, when you drive 20,000 km a year, and you put fuel economy as a justification for a purchase more than another, it's ridiculous... $400 of fuel on a $7,000-$8,000 budget (at current prices) should not be a criterion. Or else, you don't have the money...
Kwijbo"
Kwijbo,
The question raised in this article is the increase of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming and puts us in danger. I invite you to read the article of the following week titled "Irresponsible agreement" in which I explain the consequences of this warming.
"I read your article on power, fuel economy and pollution with astonishment. I noticed that all your sayings were true, verified and quantified, except one. Today's engines can consume as much fuel as before, but don't all pollute as much as before. In my opinion, pollution emanating from an engine is not directly proportionate with its fuel consumption (and its power).
Example: Duratec 2.0L 136 hp, and Zetec 2.0L 130 hp
Both engines consume the same, but the Duratec produces a third less emissions and is more powerful.
(Zetec: 7.9L, Duratec: 8.0L, Annuel de l'Auto 2004, 2005)
I also think that modern engines are more powerful than the ones in the 1970s while polluting less... I seriously doubt that a 1970 Corvette pollutes less and performs less than the new generation.
Also, the 2005 Corolla shouldn't be compared with the 1985 Corolla. The entry-level model (and comparatively sized with the 1985 one) is the 2005 Echo. Their engines are of similar displacement (1.5L and 1.6L) and of more similar outputs (75-124 and 108). I unfortunately don't have a 1985 Guide de l'Auto, but I am curious to compare the dimensions and the weight of the Echo with the 1985 Corolla.
The fact is in 20 years, most of Toyota's models have gained kilograms (and horsepower). The space left by the Corolla was taken by the Echo, who in a few years might become as big as a Corolla as a Corolla might become as big as a Camry. The biggest model (Avalon) becomes so big that its sales drop and is slowly abandoned... many manufacturers are tempted sooner or later to "evolve" their models upwards (ex.: Volkswagen Golf and Jetta, BMW 3-Series, and Honda Accord) and when the entry-level model is evolved upwards too much, a new model is introduced to replace it (downwards). You just have to compare the dimensions of mentioned models.
David Roberge"
David,
You are right to say that cars pollute less than before, I never said they were polluting as much as before, I said that they emanate as much greenhouse gas emissions as before. As for the Echo, it doesn't replace the Corolla, but the Tercel.
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"I pay $2,000 more a year for gas for driving pleasure...
So, when you drive 20,000 km a year, and you put fuel economy as a justification for a purchase more than another, it's ridiculous... $400 of fuel on a $7,000-$8,000 budget (at current prices) should not be a criterion. Or else, you don't have the money...
Kwijbo"
Kwijbo,
The question raised in this article is the increase of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming and puts us in danger. I invite you to read the article of the following week titled "Irresponsible agreement" in which I explain the consequences of this warming.