Improvements in fuel economy are always a good thing. These days, many manufacturers are touting more powerful engines and greater fuel economy, and that’s good. However, claiming 10% more power and only 5% better fuel economy is unacceptable.
My colleague, Charles Renny, just came back from the 2012 Subaru Impreza media launch, and although we can’t yet tell you how the car drives and performs (there’s an embargo until October), a lot of details are now available.
You might think that reducing engine displacement from 2.5 to 2.0 litres is a shameful performance downgrade, yet Subaru claims the new 148 hp Impreza is lighter and will be just as quick as the 170 hp 2011 version – if not better. Best of all, the new car is said to consume 30% less fuel. Congratulations are in order.
In cars and trucks, several upgrades can improve fuel economy such as automatic transmissions with 6 speeds or more, CVT transmissions, electric-assist power steering, better aerodynamics, direct injection, turbocharging, start/stop systems, and plenty of other stuff. Not to mention teaching people how to eco-drive.
While 5-speed automatics are still tolerable in cars today, 4-speed units are utterly unacceptable. I can understand certain old-model trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado and Express still sporting a 4-speed automatic, but such a gearbox in a Toyota Corolla or a Chrysler 200 is no longer justifiable.
More gears in a transmission means engine revs will be under better control and the overdrive top gear must keep the tach under 2,000 rpm while driving on the highway at 100 km/h. Some manufacturers still don’t get it.
Honda’s Odyssey gets a 5-speed auto in all trims except the top-line, $46,990 Touring which benefits from a 6-speed unit and lower fuel consumption. It makes no sense; I believe those who are more concerned with the fuel bills will be those who buy the base models, not the $47k version. Put the 6-speed in all trims, already.
And while start/stop technology is gaining momentum in Europe, only hybrid vehicles are equipped with it in North America right now. Correction: Porsche offers start/stop in a couple of non-hybrid models, but it only works under certain circumstances (read: rarely).
I like horsepower as much as anyone, but I think we’ve got enough of it now. If we want to hang on to the good, old combustion engine for a little while longer, let’s maximize its efficiency the best we can and do everyone a favour while we're at it.
My colleague, Charles Renny, just came back from the 2012 Subaru Impreza media launch, and although we can’t yet tell you how the car drives and performs (there’s an embargo until October), a lot of details are now available.
You might think that reducing engine displacement from 2.5 to 2.0 litres is a shameful performance downgrade, yet Subaru claims the new 148 hp Impreza is lighter and will be just as quick as the 170 hp 2011 version – if not better. Best of all, the new car is said to consume 30% less fuel. Congratulations are in order.
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| Photo: Charles Renny/Auto123.com |
In cars and trucks, several upgrades can improve fuel economy such as automatic transmissions with 6 speeds or more, CVT transmissions, electric-assist power steering, better aerodynamics, direct injection, turbocharging, start/stop systems, and plenty of other stuff. Not to mention teaching people how to eco-drive.
While 5-speed automatics are still tolerable in cars today, 4-speed units are utterly unacceptable. I can understand certain old-model trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado and Express still sporting a 4-speed automatic, but such a gearbox in a Toyota Corolla or a Chrysler 200 is no longer justifiable.
More gears in a transmission means engine revs will be under better control and the overdrive top gear must keep the tach under 2,000 rpm while driving on the highway at 100 km/h. Some manufacturers still don’t get it.
Honda’s Odyssey gets a 5-speed auto in all trims except the top-line, $46,990 Touring which benefits from a 6-speed unit and lower fuel consumption. It makes no sense; I believe those who are more concerned with the fuel bills will be those who buy the base models, not the $47k version. Put the 6-speed in all trims, already.
And while start/stop technology is gaining momentum in Europe, only hybrid vehicles are equipped with it in North America right now. Correction: Porsche offers start/stop in a couple of non-hybrid models, but it only works under certain circumstances (read: rarely).
I like horsepower as much as anyone, but I think we’ve got enough of it now. If we want to hang on to the good, old combustion engine for a little while longer, let’s maximize its efficiency the best we can and do everyone a favour while we're at it.