With most Americans whining about the price of fuel now (while doing nothing to change their consumption), what makes us think that switching to premium octane fuel engines will be attractive to them? Sure, 15% more fuel efficiency and power sound attractive, but it costs the driver at least 15% more at the pump!

Perhaps those brilliant powertrain engineers worldwide should begin designing powerplants that burn mixtures of lower quality fuels (flex fuel, ethanol, CNG, vodka, whatever you put in the tank) CLEANLY. After all, the cheap oil isn't so cheap anymore. In the long run, no commuter needs 200 horsepower, but we all need clean air. Time to reset our engine design goals.

Its funny how Europeans talk down so much to americans about "big gas hog" cars yet in what countries do you find more 12-piston and 16-piston engines? on the other hand I think Its true that the everage american has a larger engine than the average Euro but the states is doing a much greater job and spending more money on finding new ways to reduce emissions. Japan is smoking us all though. Toyota and Honda have always been great for gas milage. And I am seeing way more Hybrids from them, but I think america is catching up slowly.

Diesel is the way to go. VW Jetta has a 140hp direct FI
engine using piezo fuel injectors. The car has a tremendous low end torque. Too bad it still hasnt reach
american shores, but it will in 2008. Real fuel economy
is 45-50 mpg and passes emissions in all 50 states.
Another big plus. You have a virtually non flammable
fuel in your tank versus high volatile gasoline.
Good to know when someone rear end you.

hi,

i need to say this, since everyone here is putting their hopes of saving our planet from being cooked into some sort of technical infvention: yes, we can improve the performance of the cars we're driving, really, 15% on the engine side and a lot more with appliance of energy-recuperation system in every car on the road sounds great, as does the new legislation on emissions (which limits every but the most critical component, CO2). but that stands no chance against the current increase in oil consumtion!
all this mantra of new cars with new greener engines looks very much like hypocrisy, a "moral" willingly accepted by an average citizen of developed world, whose unwillingness to give up the luxury lifestyle exceeds their aspirations towards a cleaner world by far. i don't want to sound like a conspiracy-theorist, but what makes this world go around is development, struggle for better life, more goods, more money... consuming, not giving up. it's not down to big corporations or world politics, it's only down to individuals. if we want to make a difference, we have to make sacrfice on the daily basis, take the train instead of driving a car, etc. even if it only makes 80% of the emissions of my previous one.
luckily, the prices of energy in every form are going up. maybe that will force us to do the only thing with potential to make a difference - spend less!
maybe this does sound a bit religious, or perfectionistic, but what choice is there...

just a thought ;)