Mercedes modded C-class: Cd 0.25. Up 7.5 mpg over regular model (with other mods).

[AaronMartinSole]

Originally Posted by Silveredwings

6-speed manual and a taller final drive?

Yeah... um...we'll see that in America real soon.

Why??? Why aren't these incredibly fuel efficient cars that have been available overseas for decades since forever, not available here in the US? It has been 5 years since that car came out. You can't get this 50mpg Mercedes in America. The best Mercedes gets 33mpg HWY. That is sad. Why?! What is the truth behind this injustice?!

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by AaronMartinSole

Why??? Why aren't these incredibly fuel efficient cars that have been available overseas for decades since forever, not available here in the US? It has been 5 years since that car came out. You can't get this 50mpg Mercedes in America. The best Mercedes gets 33mpg HWY. That is sad. Why?! What is the truth behind this injustice?!

Among the Mercedes-Benz owners who I know,fuel economy is never mentioned amidst discussions about their cars.That includes family members.
Disposable incomes are so high,it doesn't matter what the price of fuel is.They drive when and wherever they want.Cost matters not.
Upcoming,more stringent CAFE numbers may change things,unless they're politically rolled back.It's wait 'n see.

[AeroModder]

Originally Posted by AaronMartinSole

Why??? Why aren't these incredibly fuel efficient cars that have been available overseas for decades since forever, not available here in the US? It has been 5 years since that car came out. You can't get this 50mpg Mercedes in America. The best Mercedes gets 33mpg HWY. That is sad. Why?! What is the truth behind this injustice?!

Emissions standards, mostly, but marketing also plays a large role.

The way they calculate emissions is per gallon of fuel burned, and these super-efficient cars produce more pollutants per unit of fuel. If the laws were to changed to factor in miles driven per gallon of fuel, then it's possible they'd be legal in the US.

[tjts1]

Originally Posted by AaronMartinSole

Why??? Why aren't these incredibly fuel efficient cars that have been available overseas for decades since forever, not available here in the US? It has been 5 years since that car came out. You can't get this 50mpg Mercedes in America. The best Mercedes gets 33mpg HWY. That is sad. Why?! What is the truth behind this injustice?!

Check your facts. the production CLA has a 0.23 drag coefficient and 48mpg highway rating.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...41867550,d.dmQ

E250 EPA city/highway: 24/38 mpg
2014 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec Diesel First Drive – Review – Car and Driver

[AaronMartinSole]

Originally Posted by tjts1

Check your facts. the production CLA has a 0.23 drag coefficient and 48mpg highway rating.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...41867550,d.dmQ

E250 EPA city/highway: 24/38 mpg
2014 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec Diesel First Drive – Review – Car and Driver

Oh wow 48 mpg? I was just looking at 2013 models. That is incredible I'm absolutely shocked that's available in the US.

[tjts1]

Originally Posted by AaronMartinSole

Oh wow 48 mpg? I was just looking at 2013 models. That is incredible I'm absolutely shocked that's available in the US.

See page 16 of the PDF I linked. The CLA250 (base model in the US) is rated at 4.9L/100km or 48mpg US highway with a gasoline engine. EPA rating will probably be slightly lower but it'll be an easy 40mpg+ car. O.23 drag coefficient is really impressive. This is the new FWD base model for the US market which will be slightly cheaper than the C class.