Re: Fuel Efficient Cars (was Oil Economics)

From: BillK (bill@wkidston.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Wed Feb 05 2003 - 14:21:59 MST

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    Ronh wrote:
    > As a former driver of a VW Rabbit (diesel) I think you missed a very
    > important one.
    > My VW would not hold minimum speed in our hilly areas. Many of our
    > high ways have posted minimum speed and my car would not maintain that
    > speed.

    Well, I think the VW Rabbit is an old design (correct me if I'm wrong).
    Diesel engines are not noted for performance (even turbocharged
    diesel engines). But modern small petrol-engined European cars are
    designed to be able to keep up with the traffic and are very lively to
    drive. Cheeky, some might say, after one cuts in front of you in city
    traffic into an impossibly tight space. Five and six speed gearboxes and
    very high-revving engines make them pretty capable performers.
    (You ever seen the way Italians drive ?!!)

    I have never heard of a minimum speed limit in UK. I don't know about
    Europe. On the freeway, the UK has an official maximum speed limit of 70
    mph, though most traffic seems to run at around 75-80 mph. (10% excess
    is usually permissible :-)!) On long uphill stretches, loaded with two
    people plus luggage, I might have to drop down from fifth gear to
    fourth, but it will still manage 60-70 mph fine. Holdups in UK are
    generally caused by very old cars (20-year old cars are not unusual) and
    cars towing caravans.

    I agree that I also try to keep a big space between me and other cars.
    (Defensive driving, they call it. They run training courses on it in UK)

    But driving toy cars does require a different attitude of mind, (even if
    it is fun), that I think Americans will have difficulty adjusting to.

    Regards, BillK

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