[MetroMPG]

This car will be sold on both sides of the pond, same platform. So safety regs are no reason for our relatively poor mileage. Diesel emissions regs, yes.

The issue is that North America will only get the most powerful gas engine option(s) which can be fitted to this platform.

We have convinced ourselves (hat tip to the automakers' marketing departments and the motoring press ... arguably one in the same) that 0-60 mph in more than 10 seconds is "slow". It didn't used to be.