Gas mileage?

Question

My brother and I bought Renault Dauphines in 1966. They averaged over 40 mpg. For those not familiar with the car, it was a basic 4 cylinder, rear wheel drive car. They had a radio, heater, and standard transmission. I'm curious if the emission controls, and computerised engines that are on the newer cars have decreased gas mileage. With the technology that we have today, it would be normal for every car to have at least 40 mpg. Can anyone explain why cars today don't get better gas mileage.

Answer 1

Because too many people want, not necessarily need, vehicles that weigh 6000 lbs or more and have a thirsty, V-8 engine. Car companies produce what people want to buy.

Car companies have no incentive to produce efficient vehicles, because of the cost of gasoline. It's been so low in this country for so long they've concentrated on increasing horsepower, but you can't legally drive faster than 70 or 75, depending on your state.

All this is starting to change, albeit slowly. As long as gasoline continues to rise, the attitudes, and therefore products will change.

Answer 2

We can still make cars that get this mileage and even more. The current desire for this to happen gets blocked by the lobbying and money of the big oil. I have many stories from the 70's and such of the 100m.p.h. carburetors and things but these technologies and people seemed to just "disappear" It takes only a small amount of millions from a billions of dollar a profit company to stop these things from happening. Until a majority of people get on this side then this will never happen. Too many people like their SUV's, Mustangs or BMW roadsters who can afford the fuel to make a stand. The little guy who is "green" or wants to conserve is a minority with no power. Lets just face that fact. Have you ever noticed how ugly the first hybrid vehicles were? They made them slightly unsightly to deter buying so it seemed.They can make the same Toyota Camry be hybrid but they wanted something as ugly a the Prius to be manufactured. Things are changing now though.

Answer 3

I, too, had a very basic car in 1991, Honda Civic hatchback standard version. This is a modern car with all the emissions stuff. I got 37 mpg on mixed driving.

One thing different is, today's cars are MUCH larger and heavier. They are also full of accessories that consume power. Engines are bigger and has more torque and power. Today, people don't tolerate just "acceptable" acceralations. Most people want their cars "quick" even for an everyday car.

Answer 4

And people want a car that is reliable, which the Dauphine definately was not.