I'm a car guy through and through, but I also care about our environment, and I side with those who believe that global warming is a problem. This causes a dilemma--I love me some old-fashioned fuel-sucking V-8 goodness, but I also like breathing clean air.
The automotive industry is doing what it can to improve fuel-efficiency. Both government regulation and consumer demands have forced all automakers to pursue alternative fuel strategies, and to improve fuel-efficiency in standard gasoline engines. Whether it's Ford's "EcoBoost" engine program, or Audi's pursuit of clean-diesel technology, or Toyota's focus on hybrids, every automaker is attempting to improve fuel-economy and appear more "green" to prospective customers.
Unfortunately going green may mean the death of yesteryear's hot-rod V-8 engines. A recent Detroit News piece by Scott Burgess suggested that even V-6 engines could be phased out eventually.
Now, I don't think that's going to happen, I still see V-8 and V-6 engines being available on sports cars, large vehicles, and pickup trucks for a long time. But four-cylinder engines, along with hybrids, clean-diesels, and perhaps even fuel-cells or battery-powered electrics, seem to be the mainstream powertrain choice of the future.
This creates some cognitive dissonance for those of us who were raised on the roar of a powerful V-8 while also being taught the three R's (reduce, reuse, and recycle) and observing Earth Day every year. I want to have my horsepower and enjoy it, too.
Should I feel guilty everytime I drop the hammer in a car like the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS or the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8? Should I feel bad if I average less than 20 mpg in a given test car? When it's time to purchase my next car, should I opt for a system that promises performance without sacrificing fuel-economy, like Ford's EcoBoost?
I try to be environmentally conscious. I recycle. I use CFL bulbs at home. I shut lights off when I leave the room. But I also love to floor the gas pedal on a fast car when given the chance. And I love the sound that a V-8 makes when being worked at the limit.
I have nothing against hybrids--one of my favorite test cars in the past year was the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid--but there is just something about old-school muscle that cannot be replicated by a hybrid. And that's the problem.
How can I proclaim to care about the environment when I still love cars that guzzle gas? Isn't that somewhat hypocritical?
I don't know. But I do know that when I get the chance to toe the throttle in a politically-incorrect sports-car, I seem to forget what the problem was in the first place.
And maybe that's the point. Maybe it's OK to have some fun, guilt-free, once in a while.
Everything in moderation.
Filed under: cars
Tags: alternative fuels, cars, environment, green
Is this a real letter or something penned by the Editorial staff? If it isin fact a valid letter, I would suggest you spend some more time with lfe's pleasures and less time worrying about ofending someone by "flooring the gas redal" on a muscle car. America has voted thumbs down on the Nanny state in electing Scott Brown...so stay out of my way when you see my 426 hp Challenger passing youR Prius...Death of the Muscle car...My butt...they are the only American cars selling.
i love the sound of a v-8 engine as well, but if american car companies have to improve all fuel economy standards to an average of 35 mpg by 2020 (did this ever officially pass? couldn't find a yeay or nay either way), then the v-8 may have to go the way of the dodo. perhaps in time that throaty engine sound will be on an electric car through special speakers that apply the sound when ever you hit the gas pedal ... i mean accelerator.
Who says you can't enjoy performance, save fuel, buy American and not feel guilty all at the same time?
I say you can. The Tesla Roadster, built in San Francisco, 0-60 in 4 seconds (will decrease even more when Tesla finally perfects their 2-speed transmission), uses not a single drop of gasoline.
I'd take that against any V-8-powered car any day of the week!