From: dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton)
Subject: Re: American engines oversized,underpowered ?
Reply-To: dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 18:40:50 GMT

In article <1992Apr16.125337.3943@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk>, kerrat@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk (Adrian T Kerr) writes:
|> 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?

They are, but only because the Japanese are forcing them to.  GM is loosing $21Million/day
because of these huge monstroseties (sp?), but judging from the '92 line they havn't 
learned anything.

|> 
|> 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.

I like Fiat's and Spit's.  Some of my best Youth memories are with a Triumph GT6 Mk3.
I remember trying to insure it and the insurance agent saying "I can't find Triumph
or British Layland anywhere - you sure they built cars?" - Aaaarrrggggghhhhh!  Some
Canadains are so brain dead, makes me think they're from the states.

|> 
|> 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.

They will be, but I think one of the Big-3 will die before it happens.  These
companies seem to have lead in the heads.  They are not responding to consumer
demands at all.  I'm sure they will loose another 20% of the market before it sinks
in, and I doubt the "Flag Waving Anti-Japanese" posters on the net will make much
difference.

|> 
|> 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.

The last car show I walked through that was the same feeling I got.  I thought the
BMW 750i was big, but it's small compared to some of the GM cars around here.
All of the Japanese cars were small (Impulse, Civic, Prelude, Miata), at least
relative to Buicks - still bigger than Triumphs.

|> 
|> 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?

My Isuze Impulse gets 165hp from a 1.6L 4 cylinder and gets 30-40mpg.  The Japanese
are producing "European" like cars and the North American market is responding with
their $$$.  BTW the "lack" or Torque has done little to stop me from blowing past
Mustangs.

|> 
|> I wait with interest for some answers.
|> 
|> Thanks Aidy.

Don
BNR has better things to do then tell me what to say on Internet,
  so I hardly think these are their views.
"Pick up the receiver, I'll make you a believer." - Depeche Mode