In 1996, the Mazda Protegé offered a 1.6-liter, 16-valve engine that developed 122 horsepower. This compact sedan boasted a fuel consumption average of 9.0 liters per 100 kilometers in the city.
In 2006, the equivalent model is the Mazda3. It has a 2.0-liter, 16-valve engine that develops 150 horsepower. Its fuel consumption average around town is 8.5 liters per 100 kilometers.
Let's crunch the numbers: that's 23% more power, but only 6% more fuel efficiency.
The 1996 Dodge Caravan offered a 150-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine which consumed 11.7 liters per 100 kilometers in the city cycle. The 2006 base Caravan, on the other hand, offers a 180-hp V6 and a city fuel economy average of 12.2 liters per 100 kilometers. In this case, to get 20% more power, we have to compromise fuel economy; the minivan now consumes 4% more gasoline.
The price of gas more or less doubled in the last ten years. Why do manufacturers put so much effort in increasing the horsepower in our vehicles? Simple. They do it because we want them to. Will you get to work faster in the morning now then you did ten years ago, with your additional 20% of power? Probably not. It's even possible that it takes you more time than before, with the ever-increasing number of vehicles clogging up our roads.
Now, imagine yourself commuting to work and back home while consuming 20% less fuel. Now you're talking! What's a shame is that this isn't a fantasy; diesels, cylinder deactivation, hybrid powertrains... the manufacturers are capable of doing it. However, if consumers don't buy, then the technology won't see any progression.
So, if we want to buy vehicles that are more fuel-efficient, we have to tell those who build them. If you're interested in a car in particular, and it's offered with either a 4-cylinder or a V6 engine, why don't you choose the more efficient one? The 4-banger engine will be up to the task of getting you to work during the week and to the cottage or the shopping mall on the weekend.
Our cars are powerful enough; we must now concentrate on reducing our oil dependency. Why? Because the day will come when there won't be any left in the ground, and we'll have to think about all the things we'll have to sacrifice in our lives.
In 2006, the equivalent model is the Mazda3. It has a 2.0-liter, 16-valve engine that develops 150 horsepower. Its fuel consumption average around town is 8.5 liters per 100 kilometers.
Let's crunch the numbers: that's 23% more power, but only 6% more fuel efficiency.
The 1996 Dodge Caravan offered a 150-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine which consumed 11.7 liters per 100 kilometers in the city cycle. The 2006 base Caravan, on the other hand, offers a 180-hp V6 and a city fuel economy average of 12.2 liters per 100 kilometers. In this case, to get 20% more power, we have to compromise fuel economy; the minivan now consumes 4% more gasoline.
The price of gas more or less doubled in the last ten years. Why do manufacturers put so much effort in increasing the horsepower in our vehicles? Simple. They do it because we want them to. Will you get to work faster in the morning now then you did ten years ago, with your additional 20% of power? Probably not. It's even possible that it takes you more time than before, with the ever-increasing number of vehicles clogging up our roads.
Now, imagine yourself commuting to work and back home while consuming 20% less fuel. Now you're talking! What's a shame is that this isn't a fantasy; diesels, cylinder deactivation, hybrid powertrains... the manufacturers are capable of doing it. However, if consumers don't buy, then the technology won't see any progression.
So, if we want to buy vehicles that are more fuel-efficient, we have to tell those who build them. If you're interested in a car in particular, and it's offered with either a 4-cylinder or a V6 engine, why don't you choose the more efficient one? The 4-banger engine will be up to the task of getting you to work during the week and to the cottage or the shopping mall on the weekend.
Our cars are powerful enough; we must now concentrate on reducing our oil dependency. Why? Because the day will come when there won't be any left in the ground, and we'll have to think about all the things we'll have to sacrifice in our lives.