Obsolete Cars
If I were to buy a car, I would like a new car, due to the fuel economy (or, if there is a cheapesque way to convert an old gas guzzler into a fuel sipping gentleman, I'd consider that). But I don't want a gasoline using car. Gasoline users simply can't compete with diesel cars in terms of miles per gallon. And the problem is that, with the rising costs of gas, cars that get a mere (and I mean mere) 35 mpg will become so costly to operate that the common man (me) wont be able to afford to drive on. Enter diesel. The kind of car I want gets around 47, and there are others that get 60. There is a Euro Ford Focus that get somewhere in the 47mpg range, whereas the gas version sold in the U.S. gets around 34 mpg. Europe is waaaay ahead of us on that front. The minivan we rented in England got 55 mpg, whereas one in the U.S. of the same make would get around 25 mpg. Crazy. So I'm afraid of spending any large sum of money on a car if, in a few years, the world will be up fossil-fuel-shit-creek. So I probably wont. Now is simply not the time to be investing in a new car. Technology is moving way too fast, and gas prices are too.
How long should I wait? A year? Ten years? Is there new technology waiting that would immediately turn a brand new fossil fueled car into a fossil (ha)? For example:
Bush talks about improving MPG 20% in the future, while Europeans get 40 mpg now
While Detroit and George Bush talk about cars that get 35 miles per gallon in 10 years, Europe produces cars that typically get 40 miles per gallon now.
Americans would be surprised to know that the Europeans have already designed a low priced car using existing non-hybrid technology that will get 157 mpg.
The concept is refreshingly simple: make an ultra-efficient car that’s light, has exceptionally low drag, and sips diesel with a small engine. This is the Loremo AG, a car that is a combination of innovative technology and back-to-basics thinking.
To be shown at the upcoming car show in Geneva, this German creation claims a fuel economy of 157 mpg with no fancy hybrid drive train, fuel cells, or plug in paraphernalia.
Weighing less than a thousand pounds, the sporty rear-wheel drive 4-seater is designed to be maximally aerodynamic. the Loremo sports a modest 2-cylinder, 20 hp turbo diesel motor, has a top speed of 100 mph, and does 0-60 in ten seconds. If that sounds like less than elite performance, the anticipated $13,000 price tag should put it in a bit more perspective.
The Loremo is due to come onto the European market in 2009. :: Loremo AG via I4U News
Note that it says that it is due to come onto the EUROPEAN market. The euro market doesn't encompass the U.S..
The other tough thing is that Honda is coming out with a diesel Civic in '09 that will get ~50mpg. It's more expensive than this German beast, though, and doesn't get anywhere near as many mpg's. Naturally there are other things to consider, such as safety, carrying capacity, range, and all that, but still, what the damn is going on in this money crazed country?
Anyway, I can't help but feel that the U.S. is trying to rape people by holding off technology until every dollar has been squeezed out of what we have. How frustrating. How... evil?
How long should I wait? A year? Ten years? Is there new technology waiting that would immediately turn a brand new fossil fueled car into a fossil (ha)? For example:
Bush talks about improving MPG 20% in the future, while Europeans get 40 mpg now
While Detroit and George Bush talk about cars that get 35 miles per gallon in 10 years, Europe produces cars that typically get 40 miles per gallon now.
Americans would be surprised to know that the Europeans have already designed a low priced car using existing non-hybrid technology that will get 157 mpg.
The concept is refreshingly simple: make an ultra-efficient car that’s light, has exceptionally low drag, and sips diesel with a small engine. This is the Loremo AG, a car that is a combination of innovative technology and back-to-basics thinking.
To be shown at the upcoming car show in Geneva, this German creation claims a fuel economy of 157 mpg with no fancy hybrid drive train, fuel cells, or plug in paraphernalia.
Weighing less than a thousand pounds, the sporty rear-wheel drive 4-seater is designed to be maximally aerodynamic. the Loremo sports a modest 2-cylinder, 20 hp turbo diesel motor, has a top speed of 100 mph, and does 0-60 in ten seconds. If that sounds like less than elite performance, the anticipated $13,000 price tag should put it in a bit more perspective.
The Loremo is due to come onto the European market in 2009. :: Loremo AG via I4U News
Note that it says that it is due to come onto the EUROPEAN market. The euro market doesn't encompass the U.S..
The other tough thing is that Honda is coming out with a diesel Civic in '09 that will get ~50mpg. It's more expensive than this German beast, though, and doesn't get anywhere near as many mpg's. Naturally there are other things to consider, such as safety, carrying capacity, range, and all that, but still, what the damn is going on in this money crazed country?
Anyway, I can't help but feel that the U.S. is trying to rape people by holding off technology until every dollar has been squeezed out of what we have. How frustrating. How... evil?