1.3L iDSI vs 1.5L VTEC = 30% less power for not 30% less fuel economy.

 

Go drive on the freeway in the USA. You definitely want that reserve of power for passing slower vehicles, especially big tractor-trailer trucks.

My suggestion of Honda going to a SOHC i-VTEC engine is a good idea, since the R18 engine on current Civic demonstrate you can generate quite a lot of power with only a small engine displacement. A 1.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine would probably generate around 120-122 bhp SAE 08/04 net and the fuel efficiency would be quite good, too.

 

Uhm, I live in the USA.

Right now I have a 2200lbs car that only has 60HP and has no problem on the freeway. The fit only weighs 200lbs more. I'd say it can handle itself just fine with less HP.

 

And? I'd gladly take 15% FE increase for 30% less power.

 

I have owned several "Dogs" in my time, small cars including a Geo Metro and a Citroen GS, and a Mercedes 300D (1980, last of the non-turbos). They had different weight to HP levels, but none were speed demons by any imagination and all had HP in the mid to low two digit range.

But all were fine if driven properly. No, you could not leave the car in top gear and tromp it and pass on a hill (I hate automatics, but the Benz electric kick down swich was great on that car), but all of them did well on the interestate and often found themselves stuck behind some much larger HP/better HP-weight ratio car that was being slushed along.

Big HP is a marketing gimmic that really no one uses or truthfully needs for normal daily driving/commuting. It is like the guys in my office that buy a Suburban or large truck to take the boat to the lake, which may happen 2-3 times a year.

 

People wanting less HP and a smaller engine?

Crazy!