OT: how far we've come?, 35 years of non-progress Options

[lapuwali]

Hybrids are the buzzword now, and people marvel at how the latest Civic hybrid gets 50mpg.

Autoweek had a short article on the early Civics, which got 55mpg with a carb. 1.2L, 50hp, 1500lbs. Sure, they were slow, but they were described as still being fun to drive. The way most people drive modern Civics, I doubt they'd notice if they suddenly only had 50hp.

(yes, I know emissions are much better, it's quieter, it crashes better, yada, yada...)

[newto914s]

When you think about it, the basic design of the internal combustion engine hasn't really changed in 100 years. I would think if car manufacteres were to try one or both of these ideas they easily could make a 100mpg car.

http://www.autofieldguide.com/articles/050302.html
http://www.coatesengine.com/engine_of_the_future.html

personaly, I buy into the biodiesel idea, and would love to see it happen. I figure you make Bio-diesel out of soybean oil in Mid-Ohio, sell it to truckers for $1.50 a gallon,(not to get rich, but to brake the backs of the D*cks running the Oil extortion) and the main stream will se that it's possible, and stop buying gas cars. It won't solve all our problems, but will release their hands(middle east) from our balls