1990 Models of Japanese Cars Again Top EPA Mileage List
Japanese auto makers are still producing the most fuel-efficient cars--tiny compacts getting up to 55 miles per gallon--while the list of “gas guzzlers” is dominated by expensive, luxurious European models, government fuel economy figures showed Monday.
The vehicle mileage survey, based on industry and government tests on all 1990 model cars, trucks and vans, showed little change over the previous year, although the number of vehicles subject to the gas-guzzler tax dropped to 32 from 40.
The tax, which can add $3,850 to the price of a car, kicks in on automobiles that get overall fuel efficiency of less than 22.5 m.p.g.
Bob Larson, branch manager of the EPA testing lab in Ann Arbor, Mich., said that overall the nearly 1,000 models tested averaged 24 m.p.g. in combined city-highway driving.
Push for More
They ranged from the top-rated Geo Metro XFI, a small Japanese-made car sold by General Motors, at a combined 55 m.p.g., including 58 m.p.g. on the highway, to the two-seater Lamborghini Countach, which managed only 6 m.p.g. in city driving and 10 m.p.g. on the highway.
The mileage results are based on tests conducted by the manufacturer under laboratory conditions, with about 30% of the tests verified by the EPA. Larson said the EPA figures have been adjusted from original laboratory results to more closely reflect driving conditions. The reductions were 10% for city driving and 22% for highway driving, he said.
Larson said that although the figures, displayed on automobile window stickers, are adjusted to reflect driving conditions, results still can vary because of driving habits.
The latest statistics come amid an increased clamor in Congress and among environmentalists to push auto makers into hiking the fuel efficiency of their cars and trucks not only to save petroleum but also to curb the release of automobile pollutants.
In releasing the mileage figures, the Environmental Protection Agency said the most fuel-efficient cars on the list emit about one-third of a pound of carbon dioxide per mile traveled, while the worst gas guzzler releases about twice that.
Carbon dioxide is a chief contributor to the so-called greenhouse effect, which many scientists predict will lead to a significant warming of the Earth if not checked.
Each of the top 10 cars with an overall mileage rating of at least 39 m.p.g. was made outside the United States, mostly in Japan. The stingiest U.S.-made car was the Ford Escort, with an overall mileage rating of 38 m.p.g.
The top 10 cars with the best mileage per gallon were three versions of the Geo Metro, two versions of the Honda Civic CRX, three versions of the Suzuki Swift, the Daihatsu Charade and the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta.
The Lamborghini was among six cars tested that are subject to the maximum $3,850 excise tax for poor gas mileage. The others facing the maximum tax are the Ferrari Testarossa and four Rolls-Royce models.
Rounding out the 10 worst mileage cars were the BMW 750IL, the Porsche 928 S4, the Audi V8 and the Maserati 228.
The only domestic cars subject to the gas-guzzler tax were two Cadillac models, the Allante and the larger engine (350 cubic inches) Brougham, which have combined city and highway mileage of 18 and 17 m.p.g., respectively, and a $500 tax surcharge.
Several Chrysler cars that made the guzzler list last year escaped because of mileage improvements in 1990 models. These included the Chrysler TC by Maserati and the Chrysler New Yorker and Dodge Dynasty, successor cars to other Chrysler models that fell under the guzzler tax in 1989.
Auto makers are required to have an average fuel economy of 2.75 m.p.g. for their fleets, but that reflects laboratory results for cars actually sold and, therefore, is higher than the average fleet figures calculated by EPA for use on window stickers.
Auto Mileage Ratings
Rankings are based on city mileage. Chart shows city, highway and combined miles per gallon.
Ten Best
Name City Hwy Cmb Geo Metro XFI (a) 53 58 55 Honda Civ CRX (b) 49 52 45 Geo Metro (a) 46 50 47 Geo Metro LSI (a) 46 50 47 Suzuki Swift (c) 46 50 47 Honda Civ CRX (b) 43 49 45 Suzuki Swift (c) 40 44 42 Daihatsu Charade 38 42 39 Suzuki Swift (c) 38 39 38 Volkswagen Jetta (d) 37 43 40
(a) Cars are roughly identical, but mileage varied slightly because of minor differences in equipment and styling.
(b) Models are identical except one with higher mileage had shift indicator light on transmission.
(c) Cars are roughly similar, but varied in engine size and type of transmission.
(d) Has diesel engine.
10 Worst
Name City Hwy Cmb Lamborghini Countach 6 10 8 Rolls-Royce Bentley Continental 10 13 11 Rolls-Royce Corniche III 10 13 11 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 10 13 11 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur 10 13 11 Rolls-Royce Bentley 10 13 11 Ferrari Testarossa 10 15 11 BMW 750 IL 12 18 14 Porsche 928 S4 13 19 15 Audi V8 14 18 16 Maserati 228 14 19 16
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
