BMW: New fuel economy regulations unfeasable, need special new category just for us.

[tentacles]

http://jalopnik.com/397768/bmw-think...t#viewcomments

[Destinova403]

Bitch Moan and Whine

[sr20s14zenki]

you mean Bitch Moan Whine....


ahhhh beat me to it.

[962 kid]

Porsche has said the same thing

[Eleanor]

at the picture of Bush.

So they want the Americans to allow Porsche & BMW to not follow the regulations, while forcing the "Big Three" to adhere to them?

Not f*cking likely.

[treg50]

Wow, this explains a lot. BMW senior management feels that their product should have extra priveleges? BMW douchebaggery rolls down hill, from headoffice to the clientelle it seems.

[benyl]

That isn't the whole story.

The CAFE values for BMW are higher than the Big 3 because they don't sell trucks.

Just because Ford sells many F-150s, their target MPG is lower.

While the corporate average for cars and trucks is 35.7 mpg and 28.6 mpg by 2015, BMW has to hit 37.7 mpg and 31.7 mpg, respectively. The reason for the disparity is the sliding scale the government used to account for differences in size in each automaker's lineup. Since BMW doesn't sell pickup trucks and it has plenty of small and midsize offerings, BMW has to hit higher fuel economy standards. What the CAFE numbers don't take into account is the fact that all BMWs are RWD, and there isn't a four cylinder engine to be found (in the U.S., yet).

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/02/b...-not-feasible/

[Xtrema]

All they need to do is hurry up and give us 23d and 35d engines on all models and they should be good to go?

[Eleanor]

Since BMW doesn't sell pickup trucks and it has plenty of small and midsize offerings, BMW has to hit higher fuel economy standards. What the CAFE numbers don't take into account is the fact that all BMWs are RWD, and there isn't a four cylinder engine to be found (in the U.S., yet).

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't that make a lot of sense. I can see where they're coming from, but Ford/GM/Dodge need to make big trucks, cause people need them.

What does RWD have to do with anything?

And there isn't a 4-banger in the U.S.? Here's a solution, bring over a 4-banger

[benyl]

Maybe they should just rebadge trucks.

If VW can rebadge a minivan, why can't BMW?


» Click image for larger version

hahaha

[treg50]

^ For sure. Mercedes-Benz rebadged the Chrysler Pacifica mini-van.

Does BMW have a subsidiary that makes minivans?

[benyl]

Originally posted by Eleanor


Maybe it's just me, but doesn't that make a lot of sense. I can see where they're coming from, but Ford/GM/Dodge need to make big trucks, cause people need them.

Really? What does anyone need with an F-350 Super duty Harley Davidson edition with 22 inch rims? To drive to and from the Office?

Originally posted by Eleanor

What does RWD have to do with anything?

RWD takes more fuel. After the last fuel crisis in the 80s, everything went FWD. One of the bigger reasons that the Japanese did so well (that and build quality).

Originally posted by Eleanor

And there isn't a 4-banger in the U.S.? Here's a solution, bring over a 4-banger

And loose the smooooooooooooooth BMW power delivery? haha

[blownz]

Originally posted by treg50
Wow, this explains a lot. BMW senior management feels that their product should have extra priveleges? BMW douchebaggery rolls down hill, from headoffice to the clientelle it seems.

It isn't just BMW, but Porsche and MB will have the same problem.

The new regulations just don't work well for the specialty manufacturers like them.

And a Honda Civic is about the same size as a C Class Benz or a 3 series BMW so under the new regulations they all need to meet the same fuel economy standards. It just isn't realistic. It would either be very expensive or you would end up with a C200 with a 2 litre 140hp Honda motor in it and I'm pretty sure no Benz owners want that.

[benyl]

The new C-class is actually smaller than the the new Civic.

[Tik-Tok]

How about they just design a 300hp hybrid? With the push of a button you could go from hybrid mode, to full gas.

That way, while daily driving to work, you could see 40+mpg, and when you wanted a little more spirited driving, you'd see what you see right now.

[Eleanor]

Originally posted by benyl
Really? What does anyone need with an F-350 Super duty Harley Davidson edition with 22 inch rims? To drive to and from the Office?

No they don't, but a lot of people who drive big trucks need them, you can't look at Calgary/Alberta as an accurate picture of the buying market. Most people don't buy these for commuters, other then here.

RWD takes more fuel. After the last fuel crisis in the 80s, everything went FWD. One of the bigger reasons that the Japanese did so well (that and build quality).

I know that there is larger drivetrain losses in a RWD, but it isn't that much difference AFAIK, feel free to flame me if I'm way off base with this. Why isn't Subaru bitching cause all their vehicles are AWD?

And loose the smooooooooooooooth BMW power delivery? haha

Well if they have them overseas, how hard would it be to bring them here? All their cars are made in Europe anyway, so it's not like they have the UAW to deal with.

Also as someone already mentioned, bring across the diesels, that'll drop their average MPG by a significant amount.

[blownz]

Originally posted by benyl
The new C-class is actually smaller than the the new Civic.

I did say "about the same size" lol

And although the lengths and wheel bases are similar, the C-class and 3 series are significantly wider than a civic.

Either way

[benyl]

Originally posted by blownz


I did say "about the same size" lol

And although the lengths and wheel bases are similar, the C-class and 3 series are significantly wider than a civic.

Either way

let me clarify. The interior of the C class is smaller. my bad.

[benyl]

Originally posted by Eleanor

No they don't, but a lot of people who drive big trucks need them, you can't look at Calgary/Alberta as an accurate picture of the buying market. Most people don't buy these for commuters, other then here.

Texas has the same problem as here. So does California. There are many places where trucks outsell cars for commuting. It isn't just an Alberta issue.

Originally posted by Eleanor


I know that there is larger drivetrain losses in a RWD, but it isn't that much difference AFAIK, feel free to flame me if I'm way off base with this. Why isn't Subaru bitching cause all their vehicles are AWD?

They aren't crying because the Forrester is classified as a light duty truck. The base impreza gets 'ok' mileage and that is what they sell the most of.

Even the outback edition of the Legacy might be considered a truck (not sure on that one) based on ride height. I could be wrong.

It isn't just drivetrain loses for RWD cars. They are generally larger and heavier (due to the extra parts) and that contributes to fuel use.

Originally posted by Eleanor


Well if they have them overseas, how hard would it be to bring them here? All their cars are made in Europe anyway, so it's not like they have the UAW to deal with.

Also as someone already mentioned, bring across the diesels, that'll drop their average MPG by a significant amount.

Diesels should be coming in the fall.

[kaput]

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