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35 MPG: Why Wait Until 2020?

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One of the keys to restarting the American economy is staring us in the face. While our future hinges on the rapid adoption of fuel-efficient vehicles, our government stands in the way of a rapid free market solution.


35 MPG can be an immediate reality, with one domestic manufacturer, if the United States government would only allow it to happen. Our elected representatives need to be aware of the facts and make the appropriate decisions.

Chrysler is uniquely positioned among the Big Three US automakers. Unlike Ford and General Motors, Chrysler is already building a slew of high-MPG diesel-powered vehicles right here in the United States.

Amazing as it may seem in these difficult times, Chrysler is not allowed to sell those cars domestically, due to recently tightened emissions regulations. With the exception of the domestically-available Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel, all of Chrysler’s North American manufactured high-MPG diesel-equipped vehicles are being shipped abroad.

Each and every one of Chrysler’s European models is available with a diesel engine, with the exception of the Dodge Viper. In fact, a diesel engine can be found under the hood of more than 50% of the vehicles that Chrysler sells in Europe.

All-in-all, a dozen Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep diesel-engined models are currently available outside of the United States, but are not sold domestically.

Here’s the eye-opener … half of those models currently achieve 35 miles per gallon combined.

That’s 35 MPG … right now.

And what’s even more crazy? All of these 35 MPG cars and SUVs are built in North American plants by North American workers … American citizens cannot buy and drive the fuel-efficient cars they build.

The thriftiest of the bunch delivers nearly 50 MPG on the highway … and it’s no dog off the line, turning in 0-62 mile per hour (MPH) times under nine seconds. The fastest in the pack delivers 7.6 second 0-62 times and 35.6 MPG on the highway.

Needless to say, these are wonderful world-class cars, a world apart from your Uncle’s noisy, slow, smelly 80’s-era diesel.

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Subaru Legacy 3.0 R

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Subaru Legacy 3.0R MPG-o-Matic Subaru Legacy Review Summary: The Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Limited is a five-star safety rated American-made All Wheel Drive sport luxury sedan that competes with the Audi A4 Quattro, BMW 335xi, and Volkswagen Passat 4Motion.

The EPA gas mileage estimates for the 2008 Legacy 3.0 R come in at 17 city / 24 highway. In a week of driving, we found those estimates to be low, as we achieved 27.3 on the highway and 21.9 in suburban driving in mid-thirty degree weather.

Subaru Legacy 3.0R 3/4 front view

That’s not bad for an all wheel drive sedan with this much power.

The Legacy 3.0 R is fitted with a 3.0 liter six cylinder Subaru Boxer engine. The conventionally aspirated horizontally opposed six cranks out 245 horsepower and 215 foot pounds of torque.

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Ford Edge Gas Mileage

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When the Ford Edge was introduced in the 2007 model year, it marked a clear departure for Ford away from their traditional truck-based SUVs to a modern crossover platform. Nevertheless, the five-passenger 2008 Edge delivers average gas mileage for its size.

While the Edge is less stingy with gas than its stablemate, the Ford Escape Hybrid, it takes the lead when it comes to options like the voice-activated SYNC communication and media system, rear seat DVD system, and Panoramic Vista Roof.

Ford Edge Review:

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Volkswagen Passat Gas Mileage

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The Volkswagen Passat delivers understated luxury and good gas mileage. While classified as a family sedan, outside appearances can be deceiving. As we found from hands-on testing, the stealthily luxurious Passat is capable of producing very respectable highway gas mileage figures. While earlier models of the Passat were available with Volkswagen’s highly efficient turbo-diesel (TDI) power plant, VW stopped importing Passat TDIs to the States after the 2005 model year. We expect the Passat TDI to follow the Jetta TDI in returning to our shores, now that the diesel engine has been tweaked to meet tougher US emission standards.

Two model-specific gasoline-powered engines are available in the 2008 Passat. The turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 2.0 liter four cylinder engine produces 200 horsepower (HP) and 207 foot pounds of torque, with “premium fuel recommended for maximum performance.” This is not an entry-level engine, by any means, as VW estimates 0-60 times of 6.6 seconds for the turbo four. Taking it up a notch, the VR6 and all-wheel-drive VR6 4Motion are fitted with a conventionally aspirated six cylinder engine, producing 280 HP and 265 foot pounds of torque, with an estimated 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds.

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Jeep Grand Cherokee Gas Mileage

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The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a diverse range of engines, with two choices that stand out for owners seeking the best possible gas mileage from their luxury SUV. The 2008 Grand Cherokee can be fitted with a torque-filled and highly-efficient common rail (CRD) turbo diesel Mercedes-Benz V-6 engine that’s well-suited to towing, along with a special Multi Displacement version of Chrysler’s legendary HEMI V-8 that’s been optimized for better gas mileage when cruising on the highway. The Multi Displacement Hemi is designed to deactivate 4 of 8 cylinders when the engine is not under load, providing a 20% boost in fuel economy.

For those with unapologetic lead feet (and little concern with mundane things like gas mileage), there’s the thrill-filled, chart-topping, HEMI-powered Grand Cherokee SRT8 (pictured above).

Here’s the complete rundown on the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s range of engine choices:

  • 3.0 liter CRD turbo diesel V-6 producing 215 horsepower (HP) and 376 foot pounds of torque
  • 3.7 liter V-6, producing 210 HP and 235 foot pounds of torque
  • 4.7 liter V-8, producing 305 HP and 334 foot pounds of torque
  • 5.7 liter Multi Displacement HEMI V-8 producing 330 HP and 375 foot pounds of torque
  • 6.1 liter SRT HEMI V-8, producing 420 HP and 420 foot pounds of torque

The Mercedes-Benz turbo-diesel engine is an option in the Grand Cherokee Limited and Overland models. It is not available in CA, CT, MA, ME, NY, PA, RI, and VT.

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