Article: Want cars to eat less? Put 'em on a diet

[cfg83]

MetroMPG -

Thanks for posting a picture of the Fiat Grande Punto. That's one of my favorite "I Can't Have" European cars right now.

Fiat is on an upswing these days. They have been getting a lot of "good for the environment" press because they have been designing cars for FE. They have returned to traditional "lower tech" mods like weight reduction, taller gearing, and ECU/PCM tweaks to create the kinds of cars that Ecomodder's want.

I think the Fiat Panda is ranked among the best MPG/Eco Diesels in Europe :

Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet Dynamic 5d
http://www.greencarsite.co.uk/GREENC...-panda-1.3.htm

The popular UK Fiat Panda range has been boosted by the arrival of tthe state-of-the-art turbodiesel featuring Fiat Auto’s widely acclaimed, Euro 4-compatible, 1.3 litre 16-valve MultiJet engine – the smallest and most advanced common rail direct injection turbodiesel in the world.

This resulta in not only the most powerful and quickest Panda in the range, but also the one with the lowest fuel consumption (65.7 mpg [Imperial?!?!?] combined official figure), lowest emissions and lowest running costs.

PS - The Grande Punto also comes in double-shot-espresso ABARTH livery too :



CarloSW2

[MetroMPG]

One of the presenters on the British car show "5th Gear" owns a Panda, and likes to say how good it is.

[cfg83]

MetroMPG -

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

One of the presenters on the British car show "5th Gear" owns a Panda, and likes to say how good it is.

Don't you mean "Top Gear"? Is it the little guy or the long haired guy? I'm betting it's the long haired guy.

CarloSW2

[MetroMPG]

Oh, maybe you're right. I thought Tom Ford from 5th had one as well... But the long haired guy.. James May has one. I forget. One of them, anyway! How's that for useful info!

[Bror Jace]

Yep, when I saw FIAT mentioned above, I assumed it was a Panda.

And yes, it is James May of Topgear that owns one.

[adam728]

Cars getting bigger? No

1st gen VW Rabbit
49-110 hp
1750-2145 lb curb weight

2009 Rabbit
170 hp
2975-3138 lb curb weight

Look at almost any VW and you'll see around a 1000 lb gain in mass over the last 20-25 years. People want more space, and governement mandates higher safety standards and tighter emissions. It all takes more stuff!

I myself would love a <2000 lb, 80-100 hp fun box.

[metroschultz]

Down the street from me is a 1981 Scirocco, 1.8L for sale, asking $800, i bet he would take $600.It weighs in @ 1940#
I already have too many cars, not enough money.
I like sleeping in my house, if I get another car I would sleep outside.
Any Takers?
S.

[Arminius]

Exotic materials had better get less expensive, or the average car will have to be 30% more expensive to meet government FE standards and safety standards.

[getnpsi]

ford festiva...under 2000 pounds and every mazda engine is an easy swap. ditch the 53hp for a 128-108-90-88 hp engine. so many options.

[zjrog]

I'd still like an early 80s Subaru hatchback. Friend of mine had one and it got a little better mileage than my 82 Plymouth Champ (same as the Dodge Colt). Then again, I was trying to wring horsepower from the Champ, and was more than capable of squashing Rabbit GTIs...

Yep, an old Subie 4x4, with a Brat low range transmission, on the desert trails might be kind of fun...