End of an era?
End of an era?
Got this story from MSN Auto news. What do you think?
[hr]
End of an Era?
With new rules and revised CAFE standards, the days of powerful, fuel-thirsty cars may soon be long gone.
ByLawrence Ulrich[/align]
Click to see more pictures
The goverment is ready to take the gasoline out of car enthusiasts' veins.
There's only one thing to say about a Corvette that can top 200 mph, or a Cadillac sedan that makes the muscle cars of the '60s seem like a bunch of wimps: Enjoy it while it lasts. This golden age of horsepower may be coming to an end, at least in the gas-guzzling manner to which we've become accustomed.
An initial stroll through the recent auto show in Detroit might convince you that nothing has changed. GM was touting the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, a 620-horsepower 200-mph monster that's simply the fastest production car in GM's history. Next door at the Cadillac display, the CTS-V sport sedan was flexing its 550-horsepower muscles.
Even squeaky-clean Toyota — ignoring recent environmental backlash over guzzlers such as its Tundra pickup — offered the 500-plus horsepower Lexus LF-A roadster. This Tokyo demon, heading to showrooms next year, should also break the 200-mph barrier.
These hard-drinking machines might convince you that automakers are still partying like it's 1999, when gas cost around $1.20 a gallon. But just under the Detroit show's surface, something else was brewing. And it wasn't high-octane unleaded.
Read: Gasoline's New Math: Miles Per Dollar
New rules will force the car kings to shift their focus. Revised CAFE standards require automakers to raise the average mileage of their car and truck fleets to 35 mpg by 2020. Proposed pollution standards in the U.S. and Europe may force even more dramatic increases. And if California wins the right in court to regulate global-warming emissions, you might just kiss your super-powered car goodbye — at least those that rely solely on gasoline.
In Europe the government and greens are proposing carbon-dioxide targets so strict that, if passed, not a single gas-burning model on sale today — including hybrids like the Toyota Prius — would pass muster.
The situation recalls the end of the first muscle-car era, which left Boomers shedding tears for their beloved GTOs, Shelby Mustangs and Hemi 'Cudas. In the early '70s, the first-ever tailpipe standards were a critical step toward cleaning up smoggy cities, but they also helped strangle the muscle car. It took two decades and a serious dose of engineering Viagra before cars recovered their potency.
The unfortunate side effect is that the average car tod
[hr]
End of an Era?
With new rules and revised CAFE standards, the days of powerful, fuel-thirsty cars may soon be long gone.
ByLawrence Ulrich[/align]
Click to see more pictures The goverment is ready to take the gasoline out of car enthusiasts' veins.
There's only one thing to say about a Corvette that can top 200 mph, or a Cadillac sedan that makes the muscle cars of the '60s seem like a bunch of wimps: Enjoy it while it lasts. This golden age of horsepower may be coming to an end, at least in the gas-guzzling manner to which we've become accustomed.
An initial stroll through the recent auto show in Detroit might convince you that nothing has changed. GM was touting the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, a 620-horsepower 200-mph monster that's simply the fastest production car in GM's history. Next door at the Cadillac display, the CTS-V sport sedan was flexing its 550-horsepower muscles.
Even squeaky-clean Toyota — ignoring recent environmental backlash over guzzlers such as its Tundra pickup — offered the 500-plus horsepower Lexus LF-A roadster. This Tokyo demon, heading to showrooms next year, should also break the 200-mph barrier.
These hard-drinking machines might convince you that automakers are still partying like it's 1999, when gas cost around $1.20 a gallon. But just under the Detroit show's surface, something else was brewing. And it wasn't high-octane unleaded.
Read: Gasoline's New Math: Miles Per Dollar
New rules will force the car kings to shift their focus. Revised CAFE standards require automakers to raise the average mileage of their car and truck fleets to 35 mpg by 2020. Proposed pollution standards in the U.S. and Europe may force even more dramatic increases. And if California wins the right in court to regulate global-warming emissions, you might just kiss your super-powered car goodbye — at least those that rely solely on gasoline.
In Europe the government and greens are proposing carbon-dioxide targets so strict that, if passed, not a single gas-burning model on sale today — including hybrids like the Toyota Prius — would pass muster.
The situation recalls the end of the first muscle-car era, which left Boomers shedding tears for their beloved GTOs, Shelby Mustangs and Hemi 'Cudas. In the early '70s, the first-ever tailpipe standards were a critical step toward cleaning up smoggy cities, but they also helped strangle the muscle car. It took two decades and a serious dose of engineering Viagra before cars recovered their potency.
The unfortunate side effect is that the average car tod
RE: End of an era?
It will change what we call sports cars. Looks for H.O V6 or I4 with turbos that are light and nimble. The days of getting a 350-400 hp for cheap will be pretty much over.
RE: End of an era?
Well the getting 350-400 hp has alwys been expensive to me.... atleat, to buy it new. I think they will return, just like they did now. I think the next wave of muscle cars will probably be ethanol powered.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,986
From: North Fond du Lac, WI
RE: End of an era?
It will just dump down on the spread of cars that are in the middle ground... like Monte Carlos. You'll still have a 4 door family car, but your coupes (corvette) are going to jump up and be the high horsepower fun car, and we will have a large selection of Geo Metros to choose from.
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: End of an era?
ORIGINAL: 04 Intimidator
...we will have a large selection of Geo Metros to choose from.
...we will have a large selection of Geo Metros to choose from.
In a sad way, I kinda hope that, by the time that happens, I'm no longer able to drive. Heh ... course, I'm hoping that is a far far far long long long way off ... as much as I absolutely LOVE to drive.
Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I know I told you that I could survive" ... Deborah Allen ... 'Baby I Lied'
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 136
From:
RE: End of an era?
What about Ford's new engine. The EcoBoost line. They are using direct injection versus ported.
Here's an article I read on it:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...s/4243485.html
Quite the potential. Considering the V6 will be outputting 340hp and 340lbs of torque. Only downside is they need to twinturbo it to produce that much power. Still quite a bit of difference in gas mileage.
Here's an article I read on it:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...s/4243485.html
Quite the potential. Considering the V6 will be outputting 340hp and 340lbs of torque. Only downside is they need to twinturbo it to produce that much power. Still quite a bit of difference in gas mileage.
RE: End of an era?
Moderator `Taz,
Great post article~> Sad News [X(]
The days of guzzling gas as quickly as you can hose it into your tank are over. [X(]
Looking back 30 years from now, we'll know it was not only the right move, but the only move. [X(]
It may be great to go 0-60MPH in 4 seconds in a electric powered auto,
but I sure will miss the sounds of a Modified V-8 starting `up
and shak'in your bones, & hearing it roar as you near red-line in each gear.
The end of a new begining.
`Space
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,986
From: North Fond du Lac, WI
RE: End of an era?
I honestly wouldn't mind running around in a Mini. I had a Geo and really liked it. My only problem was how quick the engines puked on it. Every 60K I needed a rebuilt engine put in because of a head crack.
Wish I had the knowledge I have now. I'd do it myself.
Maybe Pontiac will bring back the Fiero....
Wish I had the knowledge I have now. I'd do it myself.
Maybe Pontiac will bring back the Fiero....
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,482
From: Southwestern OH
RE: End of an era?
I too believe it's only a matter of time before technology developes to where they can squeese another 100 hp out of an engine and the go fast-er bug will bite once again.
Can you see people out on the autobaun doing 55 mph and being satified?
Can you see people out on the autobaun doing 55 mph and being satified?
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,986
From: North Fond du Lac, WI
RE: End of an era?
ORIGINAL: rj
I too believe it's only a matter of time before technology developes to where they can squeese another 100 hp out of an engine and the go fast-er bug will bite once again.
Can you see people out on the autobaun doing 55 mph and being satified?
I too believe it's only a matter of time before technology developes to where they can squeese another 100 hp out of an engine and the go fast-er bug will bite once again.
Can you see people out on the autobaun doing 55 mph and being satified?