Happy 10th birthday to us!! Celebrating ten years = chance to win lots of stuff!

[NeilBlanchard]

Hard to believe it has been 10 years, already!

[COcyclist]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Discuss...

What stands out as the most notable efficiency-related changes in your automotive world in the last decade?

I see aerodynamic improvements, more efficient drivetrains and the proliferation of EVs as very notable changes in the last ten years. Many of these are similar to what Ecomodder members have been experimenting with in their own garages and detailing in posts on this website. Sometimes it feels like the big auto manufacturers are listening in. Fastback rooflines are becoming cool again.

We recently traded our 07 Grand Cherokee CRD and 11 A3 TDI for a 2017 Audi Q5 3.0T. The Q5 has a roofline that follows the "template", belly pans producing an almost totally flat undercarriage and an eight speed DSG transmission. I could only get about 24 mpg from the CRD turbo diesel on the highway, which I figured was pretty good for a heavy, four wheel drive vehicle. However, even with a gasoline supercharged three liter V6 the Q5 has been returning 30 mpg on the highway at 60 mph for a similar size, weight, towing capacity and all wheel drive. Amazing.

I have enjoyed being part of the Ecomodder community and have learned a great deal. Keep up the good work. I am looking forward to many more decades of innovation.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by elhigh

Yup, that's me. Trying to secure a space in the car guy firmament for the car guys that aren't all about the noise and speed.

As long as Torchinsky is prominent on their roster, they're in no danger of being called "mainstream"!

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by COcyclist

I see aerodynamic improvements, more efficient drivetrains and the proliferation of EVs as very notable changes in the last ten years.

Not sure about EVs, but 10 years ago I would never believe the Prius could outsell the VW Golf here in Brazil. But anyway, apart from the aerodynamic improvements and a broader availability of hybrids in many different vehicle classes, I'm sure the engine downsizing was one of the most noticeable measures. Just look at the Volvo XC90 which had engines ranging from a 2.5L straight-5 to 4.4L V8, and now the current generation is fitted only with 2.0L 4-cyls, quite impressive for a vehicle close in size to a Chevy Tahoe.

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by COcyclist

I see aerodynamic improvements, more efficient drivetrains and the proliferation of EVs as very notable changes in the last ten years.

I have enjoyed being part of the Ecomodder community and have learned a great deal. Keep up the good work. I am looking forward to many more decades of innovation.

Seconded.

Ten years ago the second generation Prius was still relatively fresh and the jellybean shape was absolutely like nothing else and it and the tiny Insight were the only hybrids going. Now you're seeing more than mere lip service to aerodynamics even in full size trucks (hello active shutters, F-150) and hybrid models of even the bread and butter midsize sedans (Camry, Fusion, Accord).

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by elhigh

Ten years ago the second generation Prius was still relatively fresh and the jellybean shape was absolutely like nothing else and it and the tiny Insight were the only hybrids going. Now you're seeing more than mere lip service to aerodynamics even in full size trucks (hello active shutters, F-150) and hybrid models of even the bread and butter midsize sedans (Camry, Fusion, Accord).

IIRC there were other hybrids 10 years ago, but they weren't so appealing to the mainstream market. At least one example other than the Prius and some mild-hybrids, another one I remember is the Ford Escape Hybrid. OTOH it's quite surprising that the present generation of the Escape doesn't feature a hybrid version...

[MetroMPG]

I've read that a Ford Escape hybrid is imminent. They can't afford to have the Rav hybrid taking those customers all for itself.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I've read that a Ford Escape hybrid is imminent. They can't afford to have the Rav hybrid taking those customers all for itself.

Even though Ford tried to fill the gap with the C-Max hybrid, it already sounded quite pointless to leave the RAV4 hybrid without a direct competition.

But anyway, even in this POS country Brazil the hybrids are not so exotic anymore. I see Priuses quite often, and yesterday I saw a BMW i8. Well, even my mother who is not into cars inquired me about hybrids recently.

[COcyclist]

Porsche is marketing their latest bada$$ Panamera E-Hybrid supercar as benefitting from hybrid technology. 460 combined hp, 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds, top speed of 172 mph and all wheel drive. Ferrari claims all their vehicles will be hybrid starting in 2019. Ferrari LaFerrari- 949 combined hp, 217 mph top speed. Wahoo! Hybrids are officially cool.
Ferrari LaFerrari- Ferrari LaFerrari: First Hybrid with 963 CV - Ferrari.com
Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid- https://www.porsche.com/usa/models/p...hybrid-models/

[wdb]

I just clicked in on this thread to see what the fuss was all about. Now I finally understand why Xist is posting up everything short of how many 'movements' he had today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ecomodder.com -- and many more.