Toyota Belta - perfect for commuting

[NJC]

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/05/1128.html

"The VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) engine combines excellent driving performance with class-leading fuel efficiency of 22.0km/l (1.0-liter engine) or 19.6km/l (1.3-liter engine with two-wheel-drive) under the 10-15 Japanese test cycle, as certified by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport."

[emphasis added]

That's ~52mpg (us gallon).

As I idle along during my daily commute, I am consistently happy to be only operating a 90hp '84 Accord. After all, I hardly need any horsepower to maintain my average 26mph - and probably 2/3 is along our "highway." And I can imagine there are tens of million other folks sharing these travelling needs.

I like the idea of these small-engine vehicles ... they may not work out for a long-term solution but for present energy conservation they're a good start.

[ December 06, 2005, 12:28 AM: Message edited by: njc ]

 

[Bob Woods]

The Chevy Geo Metro with the one liter three cylinder motor delived 50 mpg, 45 with the AC on, and Chevy quit making them.

 

[Al]

quote by njc "I like the idea of these small-engine vehicles ... they may not work out for a long-term solution but for present energy conservation they're a good start.

I agree 100 percent. Small cars and conservation are the only game in town, for the short and long term.

 

[wander2039]

They also had the 1.3's in Lsi models. The festiva/aspires have the 1.3 as well. I can get 42 out of festiva and only 34 aspire though, don't know what the geo 1.3 gets. It's nice to see the small motors coming out again. If you do alot of city driving a 1/1.3 would be more than sufficent, although I wouldn't hestiate to use it on the highway. Although i'd be surprised if it sold well in US, but being a toyota would give it an advantage.

 

[NJC]

I remember the Geo's ... I can only assume the decision to can them was $$$

 

[Shannow]

were the Geos the same as suziki swifts ?

Down here, you could get a swift GTi, which was a fast and fun car (they had their own racing series).

I still think Tubodiesels are the way to go.

A workmate (if I play my cards right, I'll end up in his job, and no more 3AM phone calls) has a 2 litre, 4 year old (s)Peugeot that gets 56MPG (Oz), or 47MPG US

 

[ikeepmychevytoo]

quote:

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...has a 2 litre, 4 year old (s)Peugeot that gets 56MPG (Oz), or 47MPG US

---

I think that HDi engines from PSA are some very fine and dependable diesels. 1.6 has not so much mpg advantage over the 2lt. So 2 and 2.2 are perfect picks anywhere that taxation is not on the displacement basis. They are quiet too.

 

[guile]

10 years ago I owned a 92 Honda Civic VX hatchback with the 1.5l/92hp engine. This was the high gas mileage model for Honda at that time, car came with modifications from the factory aimed at obtaining highest mpg possible; lightweight alloy wheels, chin and rear integrated spoilers, shift indicator light, and an engine modified for high (gas) mileage. Very roomy car, performed almost as well as any other Civic of that time. Very high geared transmission made climbing hills a challenge.

I can't recall what the EPA mileage ratings were, but I regularly saw 45 mpg city/55 mpg highway, and I once obtained 63 mpg highway.

 

[gudmund]

am on #5 & #7 1.3L Suzuki Swifts-- 98 main driver 41+/45mpg(48 on numerus long runs) 43.3mpg last 87thou miles! Have 01 waiting in the wings- hope to go the next 7 to 8 years with no car payments. #4 96 Geo MetroLSI 1.3L still running 250++thou on it(my 216thou + coworkers 35+thou so far. #1 Chev Sprint XFI 52+mpg 3cyl 1.L went 254thou between me and same coworker years ago. GREAT cheap cars!!! just don't hit any trees at 50mph with them, #2 Metro XFI was living a 50+mpg life for 108thou miles when a tree fell in front of me in a wind storm. Was pole vaulted over 10feet up and 57feet down the road threw the air than nosed into the asfault. Great CHEAP car died a violent death. walked away with a chipped tooth and a car payment on #3 95Metro that I only had for 31thou for thats all the longer I could stand the color of it-Purple.

 

[55Test]

Sheesh,leave some for the rest of us!

 

[beanoil]

"10 years ago I owned a 92 Honda Civic VX hatchback with the 1.5l/92hp engine. This was the high gas mileage model for Honda at that time, car came with modifications from the factory aimed at obtaining highest mpg possible; lightweight alloy wheels, chin and rear integrated spoilers, shift indicator light, and an engine modified for high (gas) mileage. Very roomy car, performed almost as well as any other Civic of that time. Very high geared transmission made climbing hills a challenge."
Ditto...
Quite a car for it's time. The first car to actually use wide band O2 technology to run lean when applicable. My buddy sold his with over 300k on the clock with the orig engine. Still see it occasionally being beat on by the teen that got it.

 

[brianl703]

"lean on cruise" had been implemented by GM on several models the 80s (and I'm pretty sure the 91 Ford Escort had it too) and didn't require wide band O2 technology[1]. I think they stopped doing that because of tighter NOx emissions limits. Lean mixtures result in more NOx emissions.

[1]If your computer knows what 14.7:1 is, it can figure out what 16:1 (or whatever) is without the help of the oxygen sensor.