# When Will The Horsepower Wars End? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 16, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-horsepower-wars-end/618914 "2012-04-16T02:02:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-horsepower-wars-end/618914/62 "2012-04-20T00:43:08Z")
> [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](#): > > The 120d, assuming we’re on the UK MOT cycle, is rated for a combined 53mpg. The diesel Jetta is 58mpg, but the European Jetta is a different car than the US model and the engine undoubtably has different emissions equipment that will affect (usually for the worse) mileage. So what you are describing is probably beyond what’s possible with technology right now. There’s always the Prius, which gets \>70mpg in the UK, and the Prius C which AFAIK isn’t yet sold in Europe will be even better. > > The US Jetta diesel is quoted for 34mpg combined by the EPA, which is no better than a gas Chevy Cruze Eco with similar power that uses cheaper, more available fuel and is cheaper to buy and also not a German piece of shit. Actually Ford has a Euro car I would like. Just needs to migrate this-a-way. The only problem with the Prius is that it can’t tow anything. One of the reasons I’d like a diesel. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-horsepower-wars-end/618914/63 "2012-04-20T01:15:29Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > Additional side rant: why is that as horsepower has increased towing capacity has decreased? People used to tow boats and trailers with the family car all the time, and not just the huge V8 powered land yachts, but now you basically need a fullsize truck to tow anything bigger than a utility trailer. Although the mountain passes on summer weekends do seem a lot less congested than they once did… This happened precisely for fuel economy reasons. Building the structure of the car with the strength required to tow a significant load requires additional weight, and additional weight has a negative effect on fuel economy. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-horsepower-wars-end/618914/64 "2012-04-20T02:23:03Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > This happened precisely for fuel economy reasons. Building the structure of the car with the strength required to tow a significant load requires additional weight, and additional weight has a negative effect on fuel economy. there has to be more to it than that. Ford listed towing capacities on a lot of cars and suddenly they stopped. The cars didn’t change but something else did. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-horsepower-wars-end/618914/65 "2012-04-20T04:17:56Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Ford is just introducing the new Shelby 500 Gt Mustang for 2013 that has 650 horsepower! How about that car’s big brother… [Shelby 1000](http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1203_2012_shelby_1000_and_1000_sc_first_look/) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-horsepower-wars-end/618914/66 "2012-04-20T05:07:16Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > How about that car’s big brother… [Shelby 1000](http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1203_2012_shelby_1000_and_1000_sc_first_look/) But what is it rated for towing? ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-horsepower-wars-end/618914/67 "2012-04-20T06:04:43Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > there has to be more to it than that. Ford listed towing capacities on a lot of cars and suddenly they stopped. The cars didn’t change but something else did. This happened a long time ago. My '01 Continental was rated to tow something like 1000 lbs. The identical model year 00 was rated for a whole lot more. > [@Magiver](#): > > While I would like a high speed train in my state for the novelty of it I would rarely use it because I would have to transit to and from each point of connection. That means taking a taxi or bus on each end. I wouldn’t want it. They’re not self-sustaining anywhere (at least for roads, we pay fuel taxes and tolls, and move commercial goods and cargo). That means we’d be in a silly situation like California with their obscene high-speed rail project. Don’t get me wrong, as a user I simply love high-speed rail here in China, but my company pays my taxes, not me. And there are usually metro systems at either end that will get you nearly anywhere, and there are always taxis except at shift change. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-horsepower-wars-end/618914.md?page=3)