thanks for your reply
Certainly the points you make re 'luxury items' and emissions could be held true, but by the same token, i can get these comforts in a 15year old s class merc, for less than the cost of a new car..
Emissions are a strange one- europe seems to favour small high output engines with their legislation, whereas the US has (had?) a leaning towards less stressed, larger engines. It appears that pollution assessment is NOT standardised, and as such, there must be additional expense to manufacturers regarding engine types for different markets?
I also reckon that older cars are not as 'smoke billowing' as people think-i've never had issues with my bmw's passing the MOT-often with the emissions below those levels required of cars with cats.i do however admit that newer cars have better emissions contol..however that comes at a price regarding servicing and parts reliability (hdi anyone?)
You have a volvo-what elements of the drivE model should be transferred to all volvos?
Re the sports vs eco pack-i reckon there is room for both.. First and foremost i enjoy driving, so a well set up car is a pleasure-better handling means more momentum conservation round the twisties
Hopefully we can gain some consensus here as to a 'top 3 easy things' that would make new cars more efficient and acceptable to the public.