2016? A Year that will live in INFAMY?

jimbauman · 05-19-2009, 07:36 PM

So now the government has forced automakers to meet a 35mpg minimum for cars starting in 2016. What does this mean for the future of the sports car? Do we all want to drive Teslas? Ouch....

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

That requirement will be fine compared with the Waxman bill, which will require no more than 800 lbs of CO2 per MW of power. With methane, that is about 54% thermal efficiency. With anything else, it is impossible.

Gogar · 05-19-2009, 08:21 PM

Silly jimbauman, everyone knows there isn't going to be a 2016.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

"The Motor Law"

jyl · jyl's Garage

I believe the average mpg of the new car fleet in Europe is already at 35 mpg, without Teslas.

Expect more compact SAVs, diesels, hybrids, lightweight materials, etc. But there will still be full sized pickups and SUVs and sports cars.

HardDrive · 05-19-2009, 10:10 PM

I saw a tesla on the road the other day, and if the new law means I have to drive one, you can count me IN. The car looks fantastic, goes like stink.....hey, don't be a voltage hater.

Jim Richards · 05-20-2009, 02:15 AM

Watts wrong wit dat?

Sorry, I know that's lame.

DanielDudley · 05-20-2009, 03:31 AM

What is impossible for some is possible for others.

I'd like a 1600 pound sports car that got 40 mpg and hit 60 in less than 8 seconds.

Heck, I'd like a 1200 pound car with a 1000 CCs and a turbocharger. I'd like it right now, and I'm pissed that my last GMC truck weighs 600 pounds more than the previous model, and gets worse gas mileage even though it is supposed to get better mileage.

It does everything a little worse except guzzle gas. But if they ever start selling 80% ethanol, by gosh I'm ready. Would it have been so hard to make it a little lighter than the previous model ?

This crap is no brainer stuff.

GothingNC · 05-20-2009, 04:00 AM

What's wrong with this?

The engine is a 2.0-litre TDI that makes 180hp (134kW) from 4,200rpm and a hefty torque of 350Nm made from just 1,750rpm. Said to be capable of a 0 - 100km/h time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 226km/h (140mph), the Blue Sports concept emits just 113g/km in harmful C02 gasses. It averages 4.3 litres per 100km (55mpg US/ 66mpg UK) in fuel consumption.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

BMW 1 Series - This is NOT a concept car. It is a present production car

2.0 liter diesel
hp: 177
0-60: 7.2 seconds
mpg: 52.3

onewhippedpuppy · 05-20-2009, 04:45 AM

Hey, if it means more diesels in the USA, I'm game. As Redbeard shows, there's a lot of cars in Europe that meet or exceed those requirements. Hell, the 4x4 diesel Hilux (Tacoma) sold elsewhere gets almost 35 MPG. Until some of the more advanced technologies like feasible electrics and fuel cells become affordable, I expect diesels to shoulder the load. Here's my diesel of choice:

Rot 911 · 05-20-2009, 05:18 AM

I don't think that will be too hard to attain. My BMW 325i consistently gets 30 mpg at 70 mph on the highway.

The Gaijin · 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

I believe the average mpg of the new car fleet in Europe is already at 35 mpg, without Teslas.

Expect more compact SAVs, diesels, hybrids, lightweight materials, etc. But there will still be full sized pickups and SUVs and sports cars.

They do it with high fuel taxes that cut down on demand (and imports). That old "supply and demand" thing, that works every time..

Then folks can make their own decisions on what to buy and drive.

Not by government mandate. That is why this program is so screwed up.

Dottore · 05-20-2009, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbauman

So now the government has forced automakers to meet a 35mpg minimum for cars starting in 2016. What does this mean for the future of the sports car? Do we all want to drive Teslas? Ouch....

They should have done this years ago.

Jim Richards · 05-20-2009, 05:29 AM

fear the future. return to horse drawn buggies!

onewhippedpuppy · 05-20-2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

fear the future. return to horse drawn buggies!

Buggies are the devil. Horses forever!

rammstein · 05-20-2009, 05:32 AM

I will be forced to drive an Exige.

kaisen · 05-20-2009, 05:38 AM

There will be more Teslas and hyper-mileage small cars that get 60+mpg to offset the V8s and large trucks. 36 mpg is the average over the entire fleet. For every one truck sold that averages 18 mpg there has to be an alternative-fuel weenie car sold that averages 54mpg.

It isn't a big deal. This law has been on the books for a long time. Obama just pushed the timeline from 2020 to 2016.

It *might* be the death of gas-powered V8s, but not performance cars

E

onewhippedpuppy · 05-20-2009, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

There will be more Teslas and hyper-mileage small cars that get 60+mpg to offset the V8s and large trucks. 36 mpg is the average over the entire fleet. For every one truck sold that averages 18 mpg there has to be an alternative-fuel weenie car sold that averages 54mpg.

It isn't a big deal. This law has been on the books for a long time. Obama just pushed the timeline from 2020 to 2016.

It *might* be the death of gas-powered V8s, but not performance cars

E

And for the cars that fall under the threshold, there will be........wait for it.........a gas guzzler tax!!! But it's never about money with the govt, right?

jyl · jyl's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gaijin

They do it with high fuel taxes that cut down on demand (and imports). That old "supply and demand" thing, that works every time..

Then folks can make their own decisions on what to buy and drive.

Not by government mandate. That is why this program is so screwed up.

Yes, I think high fuel taxes would be a better approach. But very hard to do, politically.