From: cmj@horus.cem.msu.EDU (Chris Jenkins|xxxxxx)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: American engines oversized,underpowered ?
Date: 16 Apr 92 21:43:41 GMT
Organization: Michigan State University

From article <1992Apr16.125337.3943@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk>, by kerrat@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk (Adrian T Kerr):
> In Britain it is widely believed that American's drive oversized cars with
> ridiculously huge engines. Since I know that recently the Honda accord (perhaps
> known as something different in America) was the number 1 selling American
> car ,and Japanese cars are becomeing more popular in America , are engine sizes
> of typical family saloons getting smaller?
> 
> I own a Fiat Tipo with a 1.4 litre engine. This is reasonably powered for
> everyday driving (I've managed an indicated 120mph on a journey to Edinburgh).
> It is also one of the roomiest cars I've ever travelled in ,able to seat 5 in
> comfort. The interior decor is nothing to speak of but is pleasant.
> 
> If cars in America ARE as ridiculously large as we are led to believe is it not
> about time that "Yank tanks" were designed more sensibly.
> 
> I saw an article in a magazine reviewing the cadallac seville. It did sound
> like it was indeed an exellent car ,however it was enormous. Is this the normal
> size of your average American sedan? My Fiat Tipo has a 100 inch wheelbase and
> is roughly 120 inches long and has enough interior room even for a quartet of 
> large 6 foot 2 adults.
> 
> My Fiat has an antiquated engine ,unlike HondaUs latest batch of VTEC engines, and
> only has 2 valves per cylinder but manages a creditable 78bhp and similar torque
> coupled to around 35 - 40 mpg. Some French 1.4 litre engines have a much higher
> ouput from the same basic specification , are American engines as efficient from 
> low capacities? Do American engines have to be so large to move rather oversize
> and overwieght cars?
> 
> I wait with interest for some answers.
> 

Well, having spent a little time in Europe and being somewhat of an autophile
in general, I have the following observations (which may be exaggerated a 
little for effect):

- By American standards, virtually all EC cars are micro.  The Opel Kadett
(aka Pont. LeMon) is about par for size, with a 1.4-1.6L engine being about
standard.  Something like the Ford Scorpio is BIG to Europeans.  With the
exception of some very high end luxury cars (BMW, D-B, etc.), it was about 
the biggest.  Certainly anything larger than a 3.0L engine is virtually
unheard of.  When I told a guy that my family owned a car w/ a 7.5L engine
he was flabbergasted and almost didn't believe me.
Given the above standards, I can see why an ECer would think a Seville is
enormous.  This is somewhat large for the US, too, but by no means is it
HUGE.  Have you ever seen a Cadillac Fleetwood?

- On more modern and/or high-end cars this may not be true, but I find that
although European cars get "great" fuel economy, your average runabout has
awful emissions and poor power-performance.  The Japanese have made big
strides in ekeing more power out of smaller engines.

- In a similar vein, Europeans seem to be way behind us in emissions
technology, for reasons which elude me.  I guess they are getting better
now, but not so much a few years ago.  I undertook a research project on
general environmentalism in Europe a few years ago.
One of the more interesting and even astonishing things I discovered was
that, ca. 1985, while the US had been using auto catalytic converters for
years, European countries were only THEN beginning to mandate their use
according to some long, drawn-out plan.  Even more interesting is that 
the UK actually fought AGAINST this legislation.  With as much of an
environmental mess as the world is in (especially in Europe where it's so
dense), I could hardly believe that anyone in the EC would fight this.
Even France was hard to win over.  I guess if accolades should be awarded,
they should go to the Germans, for trying to get the ball rolling.

But I digress...

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that we may still produce some
"Yank tanks" here, but they are very efficient tanks now.  We are downsizing
them, though.
Power is still a big selling point here.  We've taken a cue from Japan on
small, powerful engines, too.  Advents of things like DOHC and even fuel
injection helped a lot in that area.  But we realize that an engine needs
to be fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, too.  :^)

I'm also saying that perhaps the EC's car industry is not quite where it
could or should be in terms of emissions control.  I'm not too up to date
on the issue, so maybe someone could help me.
It's interesting to note that as much as some people say American cars are
choked by emissions controls, they still produce plenty of power for most
people.

Comments?

<pant, gasp, pant, pant>  :^0

---cmj