Senate Debates Bill to Rid U.S. of Gas Guzzlers : Fuel economy: Measure would mandate average mileage of 40 m.p.g. by year 2001.

The Senate took up legislation today aimed at driving gas guzzlers off the road, with sponsors of a tougher fuel economy bill rejecting industry claims that the measure would make them produce only small cars.

“We can reach the goals without downsizing cars,” declared Sen. Slade Gorton (R-Wash.), one of the bill’s sponsors.

Sen. Richard H. Bryan (D-Nev.), another sponsor, read statements by auto industry executives in the early 1970s predicting the demise of the family sedan as a result of fuel efficiency requirements then under consideration.

“That just didn’t happen. The six-passenger vehicle is here just as it was before,” he said.

The fuel economy measures were put into effect and average mileage for cars increased from 14 miles per gallon to about 28 m.p.g. over the last 15 years.

The bill before the Senate would require the average fuel economy of cars to go to about 35 m.p.g. over the next five years and to 40 m.p.g. by the year 2001, saving millions of barrels of oil a year.

The Senate debate comes as auto makers prepare to roll out their 1991 cars, including many models that emphasize comfort and performance instead of fuel economy. Industry lobbyists contend the only way to achieve the fuel economy goals of the Senate bill would be to dramatically reduce the size and weight of cars.

Sen. Donald W. Riegle Jr. (D-Mich.) hoped to head off a vote this week on the legislation--either by saddling it with amendments or garnering enough opposition so supporters cannot get the required 60 votes to end debate.