Every once in a while, an advertising claim comes along that strikes a nerve. It makes you stop and glance up at the TV screen, or flip back to that previous newspaper page to contemplate its meaning. For me, it's usually a hair-loss treatment. However, for most people, it's probably something that impacts their pocket book, and a pretty good example of that in the car business recently has been the claim of "40 mpg!"
It's a powerful number -- 40 mpg. Car engineers do sophisticated analysis to figure out how to reach it, and the numerical game often comes down to just getting to the threshold where the number rounds up to 40.
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"No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent." ~ Abraham Lincoln
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." ~ Ronald Reagan
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end".
Last edited by MidniteBlues; 06-21-2012 at 08:08 AM.
Your link doesn't seem to work, but I can tell you that the way 90% of the population drives these "40mpg" cars, they will never see that magic number. When they do 80+ on the highway, they may as well be driving a solstice, because they aren't getting better than low 30s!
I recently bought a hyundai veloster as a daily driver. It's comfy, practical and corners very nice. It is not fast by any stretch, and I drive it like a slow car. I have yet to break into 40s (best 38.7 actual mpg), while I routinely get high 20s-low 30s on my GXP. The EPA estimates have gotten a little more conservative over the decades, but they are still rather optimistic IMO.
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2008 BRAZEN GXP - 5M Loaded Tuned to 22 PSI with HPT, AEM water/methanol injection kit - 4gph, Hahn Racecraft Intercooler. Solo street race exhaust, Catless, LE5 Throttle body 307whp on dyno dynamics - stock turbo (21 psi)
To come: BIGGER TURBO
2006 SLY 2.4 Comfort and Power - TRADED 28-Aug-2008
Your link doesn't seem to work, but I can tell you that the way 90% of the population drives these "40mpg" cars, they will never see that magic number. When they do 80+ on the highway, they may as well be driving a solstice, because they aren't getting better than low 30s!
I recently bought a hyundai veloster as a daily driver. It's comfy, practical and corners very nice. It is not fast by any stretch, and I drive it like a slow car. I have yet to break into 40s (best 38.7 actual mpg), while I routinely get high 20s-low 30s on my GXP. The EPA estimates have gotten a little more conservative over the decades, but they are still rather optimistic IMO.
Thanks, fixed, I found same article on motor trend..
BTW, I agree on your statement about not reaching 40MPG, however that jetta diesel seems to make it consistently and a few others IF driven conservatively..
The women drivers seem to be able to do well..
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"No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent." ~ Abraham Lincoln
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." ~ Ronald Reagan
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end".
Article aside, I'd love to see more small-displacement turbo-diesels in light-weight, advanced platforms. We're obviously at the tail-end of the IC engine but fun can always be had optimizing both sides of the power:weight ratio.
I read that Ford is bringing a 1 liter 3 cylinder 125 HP engine over from across the pond.
As is GM for the Cruze.
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WooHoo!!! Ordered a loaded Deep GXP on March 19th, 2008. Order number 0814D93708
Event code 3400 on April 12, 2008
Born April 30, 2008 (VIN 1G2MF35X58Y130283)
Delivered to dealer May 23th, 2008
Delivered on May 27, 2008
Mods: lose the chicklets, VentureShield, Dual horns, AfterShock spoiler, Weathershield cover, Lil Chromies, Red calipers with black Solstice stickers, Opel GT antenna and Solo GXP-RCD exhaust with Solo hi-flow cat!
If I can cruise at 60-65 mph in my 2.4L, my highway average is 45mpg. Combined city/highway, driving it like a sports car I get 28. But it's nice to know that I can whip a econobox's ass both in speed and mpg.
2002 - Attended Detroit Auto Show
2006 - Wilmington Summer Employee, GXP Tester
2008 - Coupe GXP Tester
2009 - Proud Owner
2010-2012 - Afghanistan 2012 - DDM Stage II S/C
2013 - First parade and first car show! 2nd Place - Convertible Category
Article aside, I'd love to see more small-displacement turbo-diesels in light-weight, advanced platforms. We're obviously at the tail-end of the IC engine but fun can always be had optimizing both sides of the power:weight ratio.
Hello all: Just acquired my Solstice, 2007 base model, manual shift, (45,000 km or about 28,000 miles) and just joined the forum. I'm the second owner of this car. Sold my Triumph TR8 for the Solstice. Right now looking for a good repair/maintenance manual; Hayes or similar? Any advice?
Enjoying the various forum topics. Tires: Much comment but nothing about winter or all-weather tires. I'm in the north (Canada). Any input?
Had my TR8 for 21 years - hope the Solstice lasts that long.
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