David Bryant wrote: > I'm not sure of your point here or where you get your data.
> A 72 VW "micro-bus" got around 20 mpg (less than a Subaru Forester, > replete with airbags, crumple zones, and cup holders) and was one of > the most dangerous vehicles on the road. OK, I'll try outlining another example. If you took a 3,300 pound 2007 Subaru Forester and installed a 80 HP 4 cyl engine in place of it's 171 HP engine, a manual transmission in place of it's automatic, and front wheel drive in place of all wheel drive, it's weight would drop to about 2,800 pounds and it's highway fuel economy would climb to about 37 MPG from 26 MPG. Then strip away the air bags and crash protection structural reinforcements and weight declines to 2500 lbs and fuel economy would rise to about 40 MPG. Along with this large (54%) increase in fuel economy there would be a corresponding large (54%) reduction in carbon emissions. At this point you'd have a vehicle with the same genera level of power, comfort, convenience and safety features as a early 1980's era vehicle and a vehicle like early 80's era ecologists and activists in the USA were willing to drive, but not present day ecologists. In addition, early 80's ecologists embraced the national 55 MPH speed limit, which further boosted highway fuel economy 15%. Paul Cherubini El Dorado, CA
