youtube MPG discussion VS Europe - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 05-09-2012, 11:27 AM

If the original honda insight could get 70 mpg it should be capable of 90+ with the correct diesel.

I don't expect to see them here though....as you say, in my lifetime.

buckstersdad · #2 05-09-2012, 06:07 PM

OK! Doing the math to compensate for the UK Gal. and using Army's offering of Honest John's site, I find that the minimum average of a 2011 Passat with 1.6L TDI @ 65 mpg Imperial, to come out to 52 US mpg.

The top 10 selling vehicles as of Apr 2012 only include 2 that offer V8's, and both are trucks.
Top 10 Best-Selling Cars: April 2011 - KickingTires

IMHO the only reason that kept foreign vehicles of interest from becoming availble here in the US was safety standards, (bumper height etc.), or omissions compliance.

Now, according to this blog these cars that already meet our requirements, albeit with other engines, are made here and only shipped overseas. Its difficult for me to believe that 2 of the worlds largest automakers, and perhaps others would choose not to offer their most economical variants and let the free market take its course. Something just doesn't smell right to me.

alabbasi · #3 05-09-2012, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckstersdad

Its difficult for me to believe that 2 of the worlds largest automakers, and perhaps others would choose not to offer their most economical variants and let the free market take its course. Something just doesn't smell right to me.

It makes sense to me, sometimes performance comes at the price of emissions. If you own any euro spec MB from the 70's and 80's, you'd understand that this has been a problem for some time as cars Euro spec engines were simply far more powerful.

This problem still exists with both gas and diesel engines today but less so with new technology.

Both the Lotus Elise and the Ariel Atom are marketed in the US with different engines that meet federal standards.

Do I think that it's smart to have a 6.7 liter diesel that does 20mpg but meets emission standards but not a 1.4 liter diesel that does 60mpg? Absolutely not, but I would not blame it on the big three alone.

From what I understand, it was Mercedes Benz that lobbied the government hardest in the 80's in order to prevent you from importing these cars privately.