mmarshall

IS-SV is probably correct here. That's how GM managed to get such good V8 MPG figures with their big, 5.7L V8-powered vehicles (Caprice, Roadmaster, Fleetweood, etc...). Even without a 6th gear, the top overdrive gear was WAY tall....down to the point where, at 60 MPH, the engine was lugging along at 1200 RPM or so, barely above idle. Of course, the V8's torque allowed this, at least to some extent. Ford could also do this with the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis, but not quite as much...the 4.6L had different torque characteristics than the 5.7L.

mmarshall

Agreed. IMO, that was not a very impressive power plant, whether used in Mustangs or Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series trucks.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

Still looking forward to the return of the 5.0 with 416HP.. Ford is definitely moving up..

IS-SV

Note: fuel mileage is usually not better with richer mixture.

That's a oversimplification because fuel mixture is not a technology, but "other advanced technologies" impact and control the fuel mixture and these technologies are applicable to 4/6/8 configurations, including port injection, direct injection, 4 valve heads, variable valve timing in various forms of sophistication, DOHC, etc.

The point is cylinder count alone has minimal impact compared to displacement when all other technologies are the same.

RX300-BV

Ford's press release states the 19/31 rating is EPA certified.

pagemaster

Just curious, aren't all MPG rating EPA certified?

IS-SV

He's just trying to point out these were not preliminary EPA numbers. Often car manufacturers publish preliminary EPA estimates and they footnote them as such (which usually aren't that far off from the final numbers).

pagemaster

I see what he is saying now.... thanks

SLegacy99

Prelim #s for S400 Hybrid: 26/32
Actual #s: 19/26

MB = Fail.

Mister Two

I remember that one. Easily the biggest discrepancy between a preliminary estimate and the actual certified rating ever.

IS-SV

Who knows if the prelim numbers were meant to resemble EPA numbers and even then it's (S-class hybrid Benz) not relevant to this discussion.

LexFather

To me technology is technology and it shows. You pay for a Porsche but you get the tech. The 911 and even Turbo gets incredible MPG with the new DI engine and the engine continues the same sizes. Seems the Cayman is no different.

True the Mustang here and those cars are probably not used for highway cruises at 60 MPH but it still a great feat (the Vette does a good job as well on the highway with a lot of power).

Its clear to me that people and companies as a whole don't care about improving MPG. Only a few have done it and made significant steps doing so.

Now that they have to have 35MPG in a few years on avg (with loopholes) I hope to see more innovation in regards to MPG.

IS-SV

I still feel the current EPA mileage estimates are useful for making comparisions between various cars. I find them more useful than estimates floating around on the internet.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yup, i agree, comparing between epa ratings have some merit to it. of course, real world numbers could be different. heck just drivers alone can be so different already

bad co

Silly goose

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/au...8mercedes.html