






2013 Ford Fusion




Source: Consumer Reports

Comments     Threshold


RE: Isn't this what I've been saying?
By Manch on 2/6/2013 10:08:26 AM , Rating: 2
What does regenerative braking have to do with turbos?

Sure, turbos do allow the engine to produce more lower end torque but only when under boost. When they're under boost though they aren't any more efficient than an NA car sucking down gas. More often that not they're worse. It doesn't give you an lower average rpm either. Also a lower avg rpm doesn't always mean more efficient, nor is avg rpm an indicator of anything by itself..

By PaFromFL on 2/6/2013 3:48:10 PM , Rating: 2
The trend toward regenerative braking and less friction is reducing the relative advantages of smaller engines.

High rpm operation loses significant amounts of power to frictional losses and fluid turbulence. To test this, put your car in a lower gear and watch your mpg drop like a rock. A high revving normally aspirated engine can produce the power of a similar sized low revving turbocharged engine, but at much reduced efficiency. Manufacturers have gone to a whole lot of trouble (warranty nightmares) to use turbochargers because of CAFE standards.

