Future Subaru models: HPs or Fuel Economy

[HelloFL]

I think in future Subaru models we should see more HPs, even at the expense of the fuel economy. Most car companies are still under inertia of the high oil/gas prices and are selling underpowered models. So does Subaru. But that's not what consumers want now. Low oil prices are here to stay for a long-long time. There is just too much of it in the world and not enough demand to keep the prices high. People are not commuting to work as much because many work remotely. Vehicles like base model Forester, Honda HR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5 are clearly not what most people want in terms of hps. It's just a matter of time till everyone starts offering more powerful engines. I hope Subaru will do it sooner.

[rverdoold]

Here in Europe we have the high fuel prices for a few decades more than in US and additionally extreme road taxes on weight and CO2 emission. We all have seen what car makers do to make their cars efficient on paper (and with software during test runs, not only VW they all do). Subaru is not a big seller in the Netherlands with usual 600 to 750 units a year!!!!!! Why?, because the high on paper CO2 emission. My 2009 OBW is rated 205 gr/km however I drive 170 gr/km in. If you need power from an underpowered car it becomes very very thirsty, if you need power from a well powered car, you just get it. The biggest fuel efficiency is your right foot and your eyes. And for short commuting people should take the bicycle or electric assisted bicycle.

[carfreak85]

I think you are wrong in your forecast.  People want horsepower, sure, but the number one driver of vehicle sales, beyond style of vehicle, is fuel economy.  In 2025 the EPA has mandated the fleet average mpg must be 54 mpg.  If you think HP is what's driving sales and development in the market right now, you'd be wrong.

 

Petroleum is not an unlimited resource.  We've used up enough of that resource that we can't just find it bubbling up from the ground anymore and we're having to resort to more extreme ways of harvesting it, like stripping it out of shovel-fulls of oil-soaked sand, or by using hydraulic fracturing to force it out of the ground.

 

Now, that's not to say people don't still like fast cars, but those fast cars will soon be powered by tiny turbocharged engines, most likely with an electric-assist motor.

Edited July 19, 2016 by carfreak85

[HelloFL]

I see your point carfreak85 about the EPA mandate, however, IMHO here in the US most people, except for California, do not care so much about the fuel efficiency IF the gas/fuel is cheap. I would argue that the times of expensive oil are gone forever. Because of oil fracking, because there is just too much of it in Venezuela, because of alternative fuels - many reasons. Electric vehicles are still a dream as far as I am concerned because nobody has figured out yet a good economical way to save electricity needed for a passenger vehicle. Would be nice, of course.

[carfreak85]

Electric vehicles a dream?!  What year is this again, 1994?  I mean, just Google "electric car wiki" and you'll see that there are, literally, dozens of electric cars (and motorcycles and bicycles) to choose from.  From tiny city cars like the Mitsubishi MiEV to full-size grand touring sedans and SUVs like Tesla that can go hundreds of miles on a single charge.

The future is now and it's electric.  And it's not going anywhere.

Edited July 29, 2016 by carfreak85

[vtwinjunkie]

Up here in Northern va Electric cars are everywhere. 

[HelloFL]

Well, maybe for rich some people Tesla car is a reality, but I am just a middle class American and Tesla's price tag for me is a dream, not a reality.

[MR_Loyale]

The way other car companies can make high horse power vehicles that tend to get poorer gas mileage is that they make lots of fuel efficient units and get credits(Tesla sells these too)  to build the high power models like the Hellcat and such. Or the buyer gets slapped with a gas guzzled tax.

 

Electric cars exist only because of government subsidies, not because they are market competitive. Don't get me wrong, Tesla is really cool, but without big daddy government's wallet (e.g our taxes folks) Tesla would not exist.  Please see:

 

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hy-musk-subsidies-20150531-story.html

 

Billions of YOUR tax dollars have been thrown down the drain on so called "Green" companies. Please see:

 

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2013/12/05/energy-subsidies-are-going-to-junk-investments-and-failing-companies/

 

http://nation.foxnews.com/obama/2012/10/20/list-36-obama-s-taxpayer-funded-green-energy-failures

 

 

The nation is $19 trillion in debt and we are subsidizing the building of electric cars so millionaires like these folks can feel good about themselves:

 

http://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-who-drive-teslas/celebrity-lists

 

 

 

I am sure Subaru has enough fuel efficient cars they could make a 600HP WRX, But they also are mandated to warranty it for a minimum time. That would probably price it out of their core market which is good value (not cheapo- see Kia) long lasting cars.

Edited July 30, 2016 by MR_Loyale

[MR_Loyale]

Well, maybe for rich some people Tesla car is a reality, but I am just a middle class American and Tesla's price tag for me is a dream, not a reality.

 

You are already paying for the rich folks Tesla via the tax subsidies. Not that you get to actually drive one around or anything.

[carfreak85]

HelloFL - Nissan Leaf = $30k new, but you can find them slightly used for under $9k.  The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is $22k brand new.  These are just two examples of electric cars that cost less than a base model F150 pickup.

 

Tesla's business model is incredibly brilliant.  First product to market is aimed at rich folks with money to burn.  Luxury cars have the highest profit margins, so use the rich folks money to fund the development of the Model 3 (with will cost less).  Do some reading.  This is an American company DESIGNING and BUILDING cars in America, using bleeding edge technology.  If you can't get on board with that, well.  I've got nothing for you...

 

As for tax dollars, good grief.  You know what else wouldn't exist without tax dollars?  Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, Holden, GMC, Corvette, Viper, Hellcat.