|
I noticed some compact cars in Brazil which were supposed to be slotted slightly above what would be considered a "popular" (in the sense of "people's car" analogue to what the VW Beetle used to be) were rendered more competitive once a naturally-aspirated 1.0L engine (backed by a 5-speed manual transmission) became available. Sure they're not exactly cheap for Brazilian standards, but it seems like many folks here are still OK with a more austere powerplant, as long as it's not attached to a povertry label. Well, maybe the fact that some models now offer turbocharged 1.0L engines as a fancier option, and naturally-aspirated 1.6L engines here going the way of the Dodo, has led the "inferiority" stigma attached to 1.0L engines in Brazil Which had been favored by a lower taxation within the last 30 years is no longer a matter of concern...
|