It’s widely accepted in the auto industry that all manufacturers game the test cycles used to establish emissions and gas-mileage ratings.
Ask auto engineers about the topic, and they tend to get a faraway look and go silent.
But the test cycles established in 1978 and used ever since are far from the reality of U.S. driving in 2011. This means the results have to be manipulated using various “adjustment factors” to have any semblance of real-world relevance.
Take acceleration, for instance. How fast does your car go from 0 to 60 mph?
If it’s a standard family sedan or crossover utility vehicle, the answer is probably 9 to 13 seconds, depending on its engine and how aggressive a driver you are.
The EPA, on the other hand, thinks it takes more than a minute to accelerate from 0 to … 50 mph.
Read the entire article at: Green Car Reports
Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet.