> >Gerhard,
> >
> >20km/l seems very efficient. I get 15km/l out of a small 3 cylindar 
> >1000cc motor (1987 vintage) . I can't see modern engines being 
> >that much more efficient
> >
> >But I may be wrong --- again
> 
> 20km/l is 56mpg in imperial gallons or 47mpg in US gallons.  
> Modern diesels which are now very popular in Europe are quite 
> capable of attaining these figures and better in many cases.  
> Most small petrol (gas) engined cars struggle to get much better 
> than 40-45mpg.
> 
> Mike
> 

58mpg for the Geo Metro/Suzi Swift/Chevy Aveo gasoline
60mpg for some of the new VW TDi diesels

The Smartcar gets 60+ mpg but the US Epa only rates it at 37.
It was originally rated at 78mpg with the TDI 3 cyl diesel and CVT.

There is a German 4 seat car set to deliver in 09 that does 150mpg
so far in testing but its also a diesel. 1.65L/100km

And of course VW Vortex 1 L was either 238 or 253 mpg depending on
where you see the numbers. That was a 1 litre diesel. That's about
0.991L per 100 km. It is so efficient that it does not have enough
excess heat and they had to put a electric heater in it.

The 1955 Messerschmitt Bubble Car (one on EBay right now) got 80mpg.

And the real special one off cars were about 350+mpg. 1 seat and not
at all practical but they could do it.

The ability to get much higher mileage has been there for a long time
the problem has been the will to do it. Wait until the US is paying about
double what they do now which is about current world price for petrol.
Then attitudes might change (maybe ;-])

Dave
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