It should be standard on all cars as of the 2014 model year. Not as an option, not part of a package, it should be included in the basic vehicle much like a steering wheel or wipers.
Ford announced recently that they will be offering start-stop technology in their new 2013 Fusion as an option for about $300. Wrong. Hike the price by $300 (or less) and make it standard. But thanks for making it available, though...
It's a well-known fact that consumers will generally not pay extra money for something that does not deliver instant gratification. Even if you tell me I'll save 3.5% on my fuel bill, I won’t bite. If I've got it because that's the way it is, then I'll be happy about it and probably boast to my neighbours that I'm a green-head.
Unlike stability and traction control and ABS brakes, to a certain extent, start-stop technology actually does some real good. It won't make us stupider behind the wheel and will have a real impact on the environment and on our wallets.
Ford figures that those who select the 1.6L EcoBoost engine in their 2013 Fusion and pair it with start-stop, will save as much as $1,100 over five years at today’s fuel prices. Ka-ching! Multiply that by the roughly 15 million new vehicles sold in North America per year, take a little off the top and, well, it's a no-brainer.
I understand that there are engineering details to work out such as stronger, more powerful batteries, a better recharging system (regenerative braking) and revised starter motors. OK, maybe not for 2014; make it 2015.
I've driven numerous hybrids and non-hybrid cars with this system, from BMW, Kia, Porsche, Toyota, Honda and others and, although it can be a little irritating at times, I quickly got used to it.
My wife finds the on/off cycling to be annoying and depending on the sound the starter makes, almost cheap. She's been exposed to start-stop a dozen times whereas I've experienced it hundreds of times and barely notice it anymore. Hell, we eventually got used to wearing seatbelts! Now there's an invasive measure. We can do it.
The 2012 BMW 335i I recently drove had a beautifully calibrated system that shut the engine off just before the car came to a full stop. It would not fire back to life unless I depressed the clutch. The car could sit idle without my doing anything; even prodding the throttle would not wake the engine! Why would the I6 awaken if it wasn't in gear? Brilliant.
The bottom line is that if we want to reduce our carbon footprint, small elements such as start-stop technology help tremendously. It requires no driver involvement, isn’t distracting, does not hurt reliability, it would just “be” if it was a standard feature. It might even make the driver feel good when, while stuck in traffic, he/she is not needlessly polluting.
I say: Make it so.
Ford announced recently that they will be offering start-stop technology in their new 2013 Fusion as an option for about $300. Wrong. Hike the price by $300 (or less) and make it standard. But thanks for making it available, though...
It's a well-known fact that consumers will generally not pay extra money for something that does not deliver instant gratification. Even if you tell me I'll save 3.5% on my fuel bill, I won’t bite. If I've got it because that's the way it is, then I'll be happy about it and probably boast to my neighbours that I'm a green-head.
 |
| 2012 BMW 335i (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.TV) |
Unlike stability and traction control and ABS brakes, to a certain extent, start-stop technology actually does some real good. It won't make us stupider behind the wheel and will have a real impact on the environment and on our wallets.
Ford figures that those who select the 1.6L EcoBoost engine in their 2013 Fusion and pair it with start-stop, will save as much as $1,100 over five years at today’s fuel prices. Ka-ching! Multiply that by the roughly 15 million new vehicles sold in North America per year, take a little off the top and, well, it's a no-brainer.
I understand that there are engineering details to work out such as stronger, more powerful batteries, a better recharging system (regenerative braking) and revised starter motors. OK, maybe not for 2014; make it 2015.
I've driven numerous hybrids and non-hybrid cars with this system, from BMW, Kia, Porsche, Toyota, Honda and others and, although it can be a little irritating at times, I quickly got used to it.
My wife finds the on/off cycling to be annoying and depending on the sound the starter makes, almost cheap. She's been exposed to start-stop a dozen times whereas I've experienced it hundreds of times and barely notice it anymore. Hell, we eventually got used to wearing seatbelts! Now there's an invasive measure. We can do it.
The 2012 BMW 335i I recently drove had a beautifully calibrated system that shut the engine off just before the car came to a full stop. It would not fire back to life unless I depressed the clutch. The car could sit idle without my doing anything; even prodding the throttle would not wake the engine! Why would the I6 awaken if it wasn't in gear? Brilliant.
The bottom line is that if we want to reduce our carbon footprint, small elements such as start-stop technology help tremendously. It requires no driver involvement, isn’t distracting, does not hurt reliability, it would just “be” if it was a standard feature. It might even make the driver feel good when, while stuck in traffic, he/she is not needlessly polluting.
I say: Make it so.