[dolanbaker]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18017591
Criss-crossing the Essex countryside in a Ford Focus cannot be described as an earth-shattering experience.

In fact, the cost to the planet is really rather small.

Little petrol is burnt by the car's tiny three-cylinder engine, and not much carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted either.

Yet, Ford's newest petrol engine is just as powerful as the engine it replaces, even though it is 30% lighter.

"The downsizing has actually achieved a carry over power, with a one-litre engine replacing a 1.6 litre engine," observes Tim Winstanley, Ford of Europe's powertrain manager.

"And we've managed to get a 15-20% fuel economy improvement."

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dolanbaker', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Ford's newest petrol engine is just as powerful as the engine it replaces, even though it is 30% lighter.

"The downsizing has actually achieved a carry over power, with a one-litre engine replacing a 1.6 litre engine," observes Tim Winstanley, Ford of Europe's powertrain manager.

"And we've managed to get a 15-20% fuel economy improvement."

[dsula]

Fiat 500, that's a cool small, efficient car.

[Revi]

If they make an ecoboost pickup I think I would buy it. I am waiting for that 1.6 to be put in a small pickup like a Ranger. Or they could put it out in a new vehicle. My current favorite is the Transit Connect. It would be an awesome vehicle with a 1.6 liter. I'll bet the mileage would be way over 30 average both highway and town. The front wheel drive works well in the winter, and the cargo capacity would work well with my business.

[Revi]

If they make an ecoboost pickup I think I would buy it. I am waiting for that 1.6 to be put in a small pickup like a Ranger. Or they could put it out in a new vehicle. My current favorite is the Transit Connect. It would be an awesome vehicle with a 1.6 liter. I'll bet the mileage would be way over 30 average both highway and town. The front wheel drive works well in the winter, and the cargo capacity would work well with my business.

[dorlomin]

Can I be the first to say William Stanley Jevon.......

But the story on this goes back to the UKs long history of huge tax on fuel. Hated by customers but always forcing people to smaller cars. Reduces the demand artificially. Kept public transport competative in the cities.

[FarQ3]

From the studies I've seen and heard about, fuel efficiency over the longer term just promotes more fuel use as the people that buy fuel efficient cars just end up driving more!

Increases in fuel efficiency have been a major reason for people to accept expanding cities and more financially palatable to NOT take public transport. So I guess that I'm really wondering if this is a good thing.

I guess cars are getting smaller so it's much less likely that you'll have a decent nookie in a car these days ... not through lack of trying though!

[vision-master]

So driving LARGER saves fuel?

ppl with means don't care what fuel costs are. I'm sure there are plenty of Britts that drive BIG SUV's around just bc they can.

[dolanbaker]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vision-master', 'S')o driving LARGER saves fuel?

ppl with means don't care what fuel costs are. I'm sure there are plenty of Britts that drive BIG SUV's around just bc they can.

[jedrider]

2012 BMW 3-series uses a new 2-liter engine that susposedly pumps just as much torque and horsepower as their previous 2.8/3.0 liter engines. So rather than 18/28 MPG, the car now gets 24/36 MPG. I think they could have made that a lot better, but it's a 'performance car'.

Anyway, better gas milleage and higher petroleum prices will obviously go together. Now only if we can get our tax revenue from the gasoline price at the pump. About times they improved the efficiency of the engines, as it seemed we were mired in big, high-performance engines for too long, the obvious effect of gasoline way too cheap.

[Hoops_Mckann]

The revival of turbocharging has enabled many carmakers to achieve noticable efficiency gains with similar or larger power outputs on smaller engines. In the near future, I wouldn't be surprised to see nearly all cars equiped with a turbocharged engine.