OT: 230 MPG car ..., Cars related Options

[johannes]

A 230 MPG car that ... looks nice ...

(IMG:http://apteramotors.com/images/photo_7.jpg)

http://apteramotors.com/

[johannes]

The Smart FORTWO Turbo diesel already reaches an average 75 mpg...

(IMG:http://www.ma-location-voiture.fr/images/photos/smart%20fortwo-Flippy%20Odegard.jpg)

[byndbad914]

The Smart FORTWO Turbo diesel already reaches an average 75 mpg...

(IMG:http://www.ma-location-voiture.fr/images/photos/smart%20fortwo-Flippy%20Odegard.jpg)

I wouldn't drive that death trap if you gave it to me. My dad's Escort was already little and a bit of a death trap - my dad had a 1984 Ford Escort wagon with a Mazda 4cyl diesel engine that got 55mpg in town and 57mpg hwy. So how the F with all the current technology (like TDI and such) do we have diesels that only get 40-45mpg when that old-tech simple diesel Escort got 57mpg?? Or why do we have to get some small little 2-seat motorcycle in car clothing?

I tend to view waving the conspiracy flag as a bit of a joke but sometimes you have to wonder (tho' I doubt the car companies and oil companies are really organized enough to pull off said conspiracy). They offered that car one year - essentially I think Americans didn't care to have a sluggish diesel when gas was $1/gal, but when you consider Europe, I can't begin to imagine how we have gone backwards on mileage with better technology. It was a bit gutless pulling hills, but a turbo and new f.i. and so forth should now pull hills and still get 55mpg.

And the argument that there is added weight with the newer safety standards in no way will account for 10-15mpg - that is always the excuse that seems to be used but a few hundred extra pounds won't drop 10-15mpg at cruising speeds (hwy mileage), especially considering the cars are more aero than a squared up 1984 Escort I would expect even more mpg.