I felt like whining...

[Mark42]

Re: I felt like whining...

Its times like these I'm glad I only have a 40hp on my boat. A few years ago I took a long all day cruise after installing a 14 gallon tank. I was able to measure the distance of the trip on a map and it came out to 7 mpg that was a combo slow and fast cruising. Not too bad for a boat.

I'm still looking to step up to a 17 - 19 footer, guess I'll just have to bite the bullet on the fuel use.

 

[aspeck]

Re: I felt like whining...

I can get a realy good deal on some 1ltr (61 cu inch) 3 door runabouts, they return around 73mpg if you don't drive them hard. Does anyone want to act as my import agent in the US. We're going to need to move fast, I can see in the next 2/3 years that there is going to be a huge market for them.

Are you going to make them US ready, or must I? You know, emmisions, bumper tests, left hand drive ... the basics ...

 

[RPJS]

Re: I felt like whining...

Are you going to make them US ready, or must I? You know, emmisions, bumper tests, left hand drive ... the basics ...

If I get them from mainland Europe they will be left hookers, emmisions should be O/K, they don't burn enough fuel to make any, whats involved in the bumper test?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: I felt like whining...

You'll have to crash a few of them also, to prove they meet certain crash test standards.

 

[aspeck]

Re: I felt like whining...

They have to be able to withstand front, side, and rear impacts at differing speeds. I do not have the requirements handy, but I know that after you beefed them up to meet the standards, you would need a bigger engine to push them along, and the fuel economy would be reduced!

In Ghana I drive a Kia Towner truck - it has a payload of 550KG and has a 3 cylinder, 800cc engine. It will reach speeds of 65 mph and I have hauled 3000 pounds on it already (of course the front wells were hardly touching the ground). When it gets stuck in the sand, I get someone to help me pick it up and move it! It gets about 50MPG, there is no front bumper or support and if I was ever in a head on at almost any speed, my legs would certainly NOT make it,and I probably wouldn't either!

It would be a great vehicle for the states (I paid $6000 for it new 6 years and 100,000 miles ago). However, to do what would need to be done to use it there, it would no longer be such a great vehicle - a lot safer, but not so great ...

 

[RPJS]

Re: I felt like whining...

All European cars have to undergo a similar set of tests.
Most if not all cars are now fitted with SIPS (side impact protection system), air bags are standard on all cars and the crash testing is very severe. Does the US recognise NCAP.
http://www.euroncap.com/home.aspx