View Single Post
Old 10-07-2009, 10:18 AM   #8 (permalink)
Tango Charlie
Deadly Efficient
 
Tango Charlie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Goshen, Indiana
Posts: 1,234

Olivia - '03 Pontiac Vibe base
90 day: 36.01 mpg (US)

R2-D2 - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 58.81 mpg (US)
Thanks: 134
Thanked 176 Times in 91 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
...mods list, compared to the previous "base" GLS model:
  • "smart" alternator control
  • taller gearing in the 5-speed manual transmission
  • reduced friction engine components
  • ECU revisions
Cool. The manufacturer has done all the more difficult mods and left the proverbial 'low-hanging fruit'. This could be an ecomodder's dream car. Well, once they're a few years old and can be purchased more reasonably, maybe.

Quote:
...I've always thought that the Koreans are positioned with a golden opportunity to to upstage everyone else: because they don't currently have any hybrids in their lineups, they can offer inexpensive high-mpg "conventional" cars without fear of cannibalizing sales.

Honda and Toyota can't just keep upping the MPG of their entry level cars in response to the Koreans because at some point, they'll start to threaten the sales of their more expensive hybrids.
Good point. Hadn't thought of that angle before.
So, is Blue the next green?
__________________
-Terry
  Reply With Quote