Posted on 04/14/2007 5:00:31 PM PDT by Atlantic Bridge
In Germany, sales of SUVs have risen by more than 45 percent in the past three years. People proselytize for hybrids and fuel efficiency, but they buy fat, gas-guzzling autos. Why do drivers, businessmen and politicians have such a hard time saving gas to protect the environment?
Children can sometimes be painfully honest. When they play top trumps, there's only one question that matters: Which car is the most powerful -- which is fastest? "Mine has 255 horsepower." -- "Mine has 278." -- "From zero to 100 kilometers an hour in 7.1 seconds."
Later, when the children have become grown-up consumers, their love of truth is no longer quite as strong when it comes to cars. When questioned in surveys, most say they would like cars to consume as little gas as possible. But what cars do people actually buy? What cars do engineers design? And what decisions do politicians make when it comes to this issue?
In Germany, customers are especially fond of sport utility vehicles. The number of such cars registered rose by more than 45 percent between 2003 and 2006. The market for them is booming -- as if asphalt roads had transformed into swamps and deserts during recent years.
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 with its 1,001 horsepower 16 cylinders Volkswagen technology motor is one of the world's fastest cars.
(Excerpt) Read more at spiegel.de ...
Even my grandfather (who had his 90th birthday a few weeks ago) will buy a new and bigger car. The hunger for horsepowers must be in the blood of heterosexual males. :-)
read later
I want fuel efficiency but I also want the power of a V-8.
My wife's car is larger (-:
Me too. I can think of more important things to compete over than who has the biggest, fastest, shiniest car. I did a little racing when I was younger and had a couple of nice cars, but now I just want something that gets me there and handles well at the lowest price possible.
Every man needs something in his stable that has the potential to rip your head off while slamming you back in the seat. It’s a feeling that can’t be explained, but has to be expeerienced.
ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
yyyyyyeeeeeeeaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh
“I drive a 3 cyl Chevrolet Metro commonly known as a Geo.
My wife’s car is larger (-:”
I had a girlfriend who had a 3Cylinder Geo. I used to ask her if she had to jump up in her seat to balance the third piston once a revolution. Boy did that tick her off.
the cars being produced today, I think 20 years from now, we will be looking back on them as the pinnacle of performance ever produced. its downhill from here.
At least it’s better than a 3-stroke engine!
-—Every man needs something in his stable that has the potential to rip your head off while slamming you back...-—
I have a 7mm Magnum for that purpose.
If you want to see the 1001 HP car at top speed, in a VERY thrilling video that will make your hair stand on end, check this out:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x157l2_bugatti-veyron-at-top-speed
Nothing like the power and fuel efficiency of a v-8 powerstroke. A little computer chip and you have both.
Nope.
We want cheaper gasoline.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1lHcfXZbzjA
For test drive at 250+ mph.
They have probably sold more of these than there
are places in the world straight enough and long
enough to hit the advertised top speed.
One has already been wrecked (doing 100 in a 40,
in the rain).
LOL!
Speed first, economy second.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I am speechless. That owned.
Yeozah! I think he said the top speed is 253 mph?!?! And people say money can’t buy happiness. Yeah, right...
We have a Cavalier and an Escort. Cars for us are only for getting from point A to point B. I try to walk whenever I can (it is better for you anyway).
I don’t understand why anyone would want to go an unsafe speed in an uncontrolled setting. One mistake can change the life of another (or their family) for no good reason. We had a family friend who was killed by someone racing who left two little boys (3 and 5 at the time).
I have it. It's called a bagpipe. I suggest you park the car and turn off the ignition before I start playing from the passenger's seat. Oh, and don't forget to lock the door, just so you get the full experience. *\;-)
The size of MY “car” relates to what I need - it isn’t SPEED, it’s size (as road hazard insurance here in the Seattle area) and pulling a small travel trailer. And, having been in an accident (I was stopped at a traffic light) that did about $10K in damage to my year old Explorer (1992)....the road hazard insurance is VERY important. I like to be bigger than SOME of my competitors for ONLY that reason.
I read that Volkswagon expects a loss on the new Bugatti Veyron. They’re hoping to boost the brand, however, and then make cars for regular people under the name.
Try shooting a 454 Casull from the driver's seat .... same effect :)
I want to have my beautiful cake, but I also want to eat it!
Oh my God .... that was incredible. I’m sure that someone really really wealthy would love this car in Montana.
However any trip longer than about 2 hours is painful, it is just not a comfortable car to be in.
Road noise is very high and it is bumpy due to sitting more erect than in other vehicles (more vertically means more bumps your spine has to take in).
I am looking at a used Mercedes 300D or maybe a Lincoln Town Car or Buick Park Avenue (though the GM paint has quality issues).
The Veyron can go faster than 253, but is limited by a governor, due to tire limitations.
And 12 minutes of fuel in the tank. Impressive speed .... but it doesn’t last long.
When confronted about my Ford Escape (26mpg) by one the GW crowd at work I ask them what they drive. I know he drives a car that got 18mpg when new. He also owns a twin V8 engine boat. If he doesn’t buy high mpg cars I don’t see why the rest of should be forced to. It should remain a choice.
I have.
> I have a Toyota Echo which is a great car
> and gets 37-42 MPG!
You fell for huckster hybridism.
The VW Jetta TDI (turbodiesel) also gets ~40mpg,
and is a luxury economy car.
Quiet.
0-60 in under 10 sec.
Our trip limit is 900 miles per day.
Of course, thanks to the EPA and Blue States,
you can’t buy one here this year.
The TDI, I looked at, however the reliability reports on certain items are bad, like in 2000 or so with the parts for the power windows. VW in the past had issues with parts inventory and the fact that they switched manufacturing from West Germany to Mexico.
Isn't that thing a blast to shoot ? Nothing clears out neighboring lanes faster.
exactly!!
I want large enough to be safe in an accident. ( want to protect the kids)
I want 4 wheel drive so I can actually drive in the winter on the snow and ice.
I want enough power to pull into traffic without getting hit because it didn’t have enough pickup.
AND ....i want fuel efficiency!!!
is this too much to ask for???
Watch out for the baby ducks.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/422697/bugatti_veyron_on_top_gear/
If you watch the Veyron get to 253, it isn’t governor limited at that point. It just hits it on a 5 mile straight. Check it out.
A turbo-diesel, that runs on biodiesel, that goes 0-60 under 8 sec. 40mpg+.
I drive a 1986 MBZ 560SL I dont see that I will ever need to by a new car.
I am looking a getting A 1972 Pontiac Safari station wagon as a second car.[IMG]http://www.stationwagon.com/gallery/pictures/1972_Pontiac_Safari.jpg[/IMG]
I’ve got Alaskan grips on it now. Much, much mo better.
My Pinto used to run on 3 cylinders, until a bought a clapped out one (body and chassis) for $50 and swapped motors. Perhaps you could look into a similar deal to get more cylinders. ;-)
The little car runs just fine. Three cylinder engines run very smoothly, each piston delivers a power stroke every 720° just like every other four stroke engine. Yes, it is better than a Yugo. It's cute too. As cute a baby duck? Hmmmmm. And I don't any more steenking cylinders.
It has absolutely nothing to do with horsepower or fuel efficiency. I simply abhore the idea that government can decide what “I need”. A government with the desire to make this kind of decision on the car you drive, will also have the desire to decide what size house you need and where you need to live.
MYbrother has a ford f150 four door harley davidson edition that get 20 mph city and 23/24 highway. All he did was install a KN cold air intake and replace teh exhaust from the headers back with edlerbrocks and a magna flow exhaust.
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