Quote:
Originally Posted by EnerJi
The 90s and most of the last decade saw truly incredible increases in HP, particularly at the high-end (sports cars). Those increases have dramatically slowed down as new fuel standards begin to take effect.
In the US for example, by 2022, a car the size of the BMW 3-series will have to average 50 mpg across BMW's entire fleet. There are more efficiency gains to be had, but the laws of physics provide an absolute limit to that efficiency (energy density of gasoline / diesel is fixed, for example) and at some point diminishing returns start to kick in.
At the same time, governments are raising the bar on vehicle safety, which tends to result in increased weight (or at the very least--makes it much harder to cut weight). The new frontal offset crash test is just one example.
I certainly hope I'm wrong, but it's going to be a major challenge for BMW and other manufacturers to raise their fuel efficiency so high in just ten year's time without sacrificing power.
Even if they pull it off, it's likely that the era of expecting each new volume model (like the 328) to contain significantly more HP than the previous generation is likely over.
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I don't agree that HP increases have dramatically slowed. Take the N20. 2/3 the displacement of the N52 and 10 more (rated) HP and 55 more ft/lb of torque plus a huge increase in fuel economy. The number of new muscle cars in the US is rapidly increasing. Boss 302 Mustangs and Shelby's, ZL1 Camaro's, 270 HP Sonata's, the new Focus ST and the next generation GTI to start with.
I understand what you are saying about CAFE regulations and to even out these models there will be more and more smaller cars with weaker engines that get great mileage as well as more hybrid and pure electric cars. However, as long as there is a market and profit in producing powerful cars, they are not going anywhere.
I'm reminded of the time in the 1970's when cars became slow because of increased emission controls. We did not have the technology to provide power with efficiency. Times are different and the market is strong for fast cars. IMO it's amazing that my 230 hp E90 328i with MT gets 31 mpg on the highway.