US Automakers Praised for True Power Numbers

[YSSMAN]

Well, atleast there is SOME positive press about the American automakers:

At a time when “American machismo is at an all-time low,” Detroit is scoring “a few manliness points,” writes Laura Berman of the Detroit News. Berman praises Detroit automakers not only for creating powerful cars, but also for being honest about that power. While many Asian automakers are being forced to restate their horsepower numbers under new testing rules — sometimes losing up to 20 horsepower — American brands dare holding strong, with little or no adjustment needed. “Our guys have been telling the truth about what’s under the hood and they deserve a salute for that.”

It is pretty funny that the Japanese have been blowing their HP figures up for quite some time now. Seems their engines arent as efficent as they advertise, and Toyota has taken quite a hit in the power numbers for their V6 and I4 engines. Interestingly enough, Honda has not participated in the tests yet... Wonder how much their power figures will drop?

 

[Tornado]

I think it's unfair to say that "It is pretty funny that the Japanese have been blowing their HP figures up for quite some time now." The Japanese weren't taking advantage of anything. The SAE Net standards were written in 1971. The only reason the Japanese standards were overrated (barring Mazda) was because they were simply coforming to the rules of the standards, similar to how Detroit rated cars under the gross standards. It's not Japan's fault the government wrote standards that were obsolete for 15 years before they replaced them.

 

[Wolfe]

Also, I thought Honda already participated? Or is there another reason why the "200hp Civic Si" turned into the "197hp Civic Si?"

 

[YSSMAN]

So here is the story as posted by Car and Driver a few months ago:

Toyota, Honda Dial Back Horsepower Claims

The Daily Auto Insider
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
March 2006

New standards for determining engine horsepower from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) have caused both Toyota and Honda to lower their advertised power ratings, the Detroit News reported.

Even though the engines are unchanged, Toyota had to lower the horsepower ratings on all but a few 2006 Toyota, Lexus and Scion models. The reductions range from 4 to 20 horsepower compared with 2005 models, the story said.

Honda also has downgraded the horsepower ratings on several models, including most of its Acura luxury brand.

The revised ratings comply with new standards adopted by the Society of Automotive Engineers that specify which components and accessories should be on during testing and what kind of oil and fuel to use. To claim an SAE-certified rating, an automaker also must conduct tests in the presence of an independent witness, the story said.

But while the two Japanese automakers overstated their power, an analysis of data compiled by Edmunds.com shows domestic vehicles have generally been testing at or slightly above previously stated horsepower, the News added.

 

[super cirrus]

a different power rating systems isn't actually going to change the amount of power the engine produced or the way the vehicle accelerates.

 

[95GTIVR6]

a different power rating systems isn't actually going to change the amount of power the engine produced or the way the vehicle accelerates.

This may be true, but when a company decides to import a good to anothr country, they are expected to abide by the laws of the country.

Therefore, advertising an incorrect power/torque number would be false advertising. Yes, it would be hard to actually win a case arguing this point but because of these numbers, possible sales could have incrased due to consumers choosing certain vehicles over another.

 

[Tornado]

This may be true, but when a company decides to import a good to anothr country, they are expected to abide by the laws of the country.

So tell me, what laws did they break? They rated their cars accordingly to and old standard an thus took advantage of some written loopholes. All the SAE Certified standards were meant to do was get rid of more of those loopholes that weren't thought of when they did the SAE NET standards in '71.
​

 

[Poverty]

Dont europeans get praise?

 

[YSSMAN]

European test standards are still diferent than ones in the US, so I'm not sure...

 

[iceburns288]

The Z06 and Viper both produce much more power than advertised. Then again, Porsche is the king of this.