Harry Stoffer | Automotive News / March 6, 2007 - 2:59 pm
WASHINGTON -- Senators of both parties said today that the government may have to cool the American passion for high-powered cars and trucks -- in the name of saving fuel.
The lawmakers, members of a key Senate committee, also said they don't trust the Bush administration to be tough enough in raising fuel economy standards.
"I sense a lot of reluctance and foot-dragging," said Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, during a hearing on fuel economy.
Lawmakers should raise standards by passing a law rather than waiting for the administration to do so by regulation, said Snowe and some other members of the Senate Commerce Committee.
Snowe and others have introduced a bill to require new cars and trucks to average 35 mpg by 2019 -- about 40 percent higher than today's combined average.
President Bush has said he wants to cut gasoline consumption by 20 percent in 10 years. He envisions greater use of alternative fuels and increases of fuel economy standards by as much as 4 percent a year for new vehicles.
If someone buys a full size SUV or a 500hp+ car...do you really think they are worried about mpg.
Every bone stock production car on the road, could get 10% better mpg then what they have now. It would be simple. Add a CAI, full Exhaust system and drop 5% weight.
For example. In my Neon RT I used to own. I would get right at 33mpg (freeway). I did a CAI, TB, headers, catback, HF cats, P&P intake and a flywheel, Then I stripped out 120lbs of stuff(lost pw/dl/ps/back seat, misc plastic bits. Added CF hood, finders light weight wheels) Not only did I pick up 40hp...I started getting 39-40mpg. Braking was better, acceleration. was better, handling was better and my gas mileage was better.
This just shows how little senators know about anything. Why not put american cars on a diet? It would improve fuel economy, and performance. Everybody wins...
If someone buys a full size SUV or a 500hp+ car...do you really think they are worried about mpg.
Every bone stock production car on the road, could get 10% better mpg then what they have now. It would be simple. Add a CAI, full Exhaust system and drop 5% weight.
For example. In my Neon RT I used to own. I would get right at 33mpg (freeway). I did a CAI, TB, headers, catback, HF cats, P&P intake and a flywheel, Then I stripped out 120lbs of stuff(lost pw/dl/ps/back seat, misc plastic bits. Added CF hood, finders light weight wheels) Not only did I pick up 40hp...I started getting 39-40mpg. Braking was better, acceleration. was better, handling was better and my gas mileage was better.
But from a manufactures standpoint, your car would not pass federal emissions standards. Being aftermarket mods, that does not apply to you...not to mention the cost increase.
I am really tired of the crap like this that the problem is high HP cars. They did this to motorcycles several years ago and it appears that we might be the next target.
But from a manufactures standpoint, your car would not pass federal emissions standards. Being aftermarket mods, that does not apply to you...not to mention the cost increase.
I am really tired of the crap like this that the problem is high HP cars. They did this to motorcycles several years ago and it appears that we might be the next target.
The car did pass local emissions without any issues. Most cars with bolt-ons will pass just fine. Normaly it's not until you mess with the heads/cam/PCM/fuel system/boost level does it not pass a smog check.
I agree the cost increase would turn any (non-gear head) off.
I agree that the issue isn't the high hp cars. High HP cars do not rack up nearly as many miles or gallons of fuel burned compaird to full size SUV's.
If you want the national average fuel economy to go up....try banning full size SUV's. Maybe it's just me, but I don't get the whole my SUV is bigger than your's mantality. I just don't get why you need to drive something so huge when you are the lone occupant. If there are 5 people in that suv...don't ya think the CLK500 or RX330 would work just as nice (try to park downtown with a full size SUV.) Most of the time it's just one person in it when I drive by one. (Yes, my daily driver is my company mini-van... .....full of parts).
J/K Come to think of it, this whole car thing is over rated. We all should go arould riding horses with little baggies under thier asses to catch the shit. Then we can use the crap to make pots out of. Those flower would grow really nice then. J/K
Last edited by Tanked : March 7th, 2007 at 05:13 PM.
The car did pass local emissions without any issues. Most cars with bolt-ons will pass just fine. I agree the cost increase would turn any (non-gear head) off.
I agree that the issue isn't the high hp cars. High HP cars do not rack up nearly as many mile or gallons of fuel burned compaird to full size SUV's.
If you want the national average fuel economy to go up....try banning full size SUV's. Maybe it's just me, but I don't get the whole my SUV is bigger than your's mantality. I just don't get why you need to drive something so huge when you are the lone occupant. Most of the time it's just one person in it when I drive by one. (Yes, my daily driver is my company mini-van... .....full of parts).
Every vehicle I own, gets poor to crappy fuel economy...but in my defense, I live 6 miles from my office and I live in a relatively small town. I would be willing to bet there are a lot of people who own small cars, driving 2 hours to work in traffic that use a hell of alot more fuel than I do. Thats the bottom line, how much fuel we burn...not what MPG we get!
If you want the national average fuel economy to go up....try banning full size SUV's. Maybe it's just me, but I don't get the whole my SUV is bigger than your's mantality. I just don't get why you need to drive something so huge when you are the lone occupant. If there are 5 people in that suv...don't ya think the CLK500 or RX330 would work just as nice (try to park downtown with a full size SUV.) Most of the time it's just one person in it when I drive by one. (Yes, my daily driver is my company
Maybe because some families need the full size suv's lets see you take a family of 6 to Florida from Indiana in the CLK500 or the RX330, I can tell you right now at least 3 of the family members will not make it down because they got thrown out along the way, not to mention there would be no place for luggage.
I do agree that if you have a family of 4 or smaller there is NO NEED for a full size suv, an explorer sized vehicle will work just fine.
Like I have been telling all of the international people that I am training with, people do not need the full size SUV they have it because they can, for some reason they give me the WTF face.
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Every vehicle I own, gets poor to crappy fuel economy...but in my defense, I live 6 miles from my office and I live in a relatively small town. I would be willing to bet there are a lot of people who own small cars, driving 2 hours to work in traffic that use a hell of alot more fuel than I do. Thats the bottom line, how much fuel we burn...not what MPG we get!
As killer to your image as they may be, a Minivan will transport your whole family of 6 to the beach just as comfortably as a full size SUV and still get 20+ on the highway at the same time. It will also handle better and ride better. The Europeans have it right. They have economic, utilitarian vehicles that get the job done the most efficient way possible. We had a B class Mercedes in Europe. It was small, but was comfortable inside, quiet, had enough power to get you where you needed to be and got 45 MPG at the same time. Sure it wasn't uber sexy, but it got the job done. I would put my old Volvo station wagon against any midsize SUV out there when it comes to day to day utilitarianism. However, I doubt you are gonna see most midsize SUVs get 28 mpg like my car. [/Rant][/Soapbox]
My wife and I need an SUV for work. We decided to try the RX400H. The last 5,0000 it averaged 26.5 mpg. Showing properties involves a lot of stop and go. There is no highway mileage in here all just around town. My GMC use to average 16mpg that is the best it would do. I still don't think it is the solution but with a 50% increase in gas mileage it sure beats our last work SUV.
Give me a performance battery operated solar powered car that is fast & I will buy it.
To quote Mr Plumcrazy yes the country sucks & now we are considering the ultimate democratic whore to lead us. God Help us
__________________
10.40/ 1.65 60' time on Pirelli Street tires.
As someone who owns nothing but absolutely ridiculous vehicles I say it's my $$$ and I'll drive whatever the fuck I like.
So what if I want to daily drive a 9k lb 4x4 diesel truck with more interior sq/ft than a college dorm room, I like my space. Sure I could drive a ranger and be cunting along getting 30mpg with my knees up around my ears, but fuck that.
And hell the diesel gets about the same gas mileage that a 1/2 ton gasser would. Plus I can haul 6 people around and tow rhode island if the need arises.
btw everyone should turbo their viper, it gets MUCH better mileage with a properly tuned aem and a pair of turbos if you keep your foot out of it... Big If, but the principle is there.
I don't have a problem with making more efficient cars and trucks. Its a good idea. But they are implying that high horsepower cars = poor gas mileage. And a good bit of the time they are right. But, these cars are driven how much per year? If i drink a full case of beer on Saturday, it will be in excess. But, if I drink half of that, a 12 pack, every damn day, its a bigger problem. Must be that the Senate's going with the 12 pack.
If someone buys a full size SUV or a 500hp+ car...do you really think they are worried about mpg.
Every bone stock production car on the road, could get 10% better mpg then what they have now. It would be simple. Add a CAI, full Exhaust system and drop 5% weight.
For example. In my Neon RT I used to own. I would get right at 33mpg (freeway). I did a CAI, TB, headers, catback, HF cats, P&P intake and a flywheel, Then I stripped out 120lbs of stuff(lost pw/dl/ps/back seat, misc plastic bits. Added CF hood, finders light weight wheels) Not only did I pick up 40hp...I started getting 39-40mpg. Braking was better, acceleration. was better, handling was better and my gas mileage was better.
Just buy some bull shit carbon credits to make up for it! You can thank your Freakin libs who made up global warming to promote their political agendas and ambitions. And you can thank the idiots who buy into their bull shit lies! Well at least our cars will be worth alot more money if they prohibit car makers from making fast cars!
Just buy some bull shit carbon credits to make up for it! You can thank your Freakin libs who made up global warming to promote their political agendas and ambitions. And you can thank the idiots who buy into their bull shit lies! Well at least our cars will be worth alot more money if they prohibit car makers from making fast cars!
LMAO at the reference to carbon credits. I heard about these. Evidently hollywood feels that they can pay their way green... they're so full of shit
Senators ponder need to limit vehicle power
.....full of parts).
Come to think of it, this whole car thing is over rated. We all should go arould riding horses with little baggies under thier asses to catch the shit. Then we can use the crap to make pots out of. Those flower would grow really nice then. J/K 
