Quote:
Originally posted by Peryn
While you tend to get smaller cars and engines with better performance AND mileage, you simply cannot pass USA emmissions standards. To get cars to pass strict emissions standards here we tend to put in larger engines capable of large amount of power. We then choke the power out of them to meet strict emissions requirements yet still maintain sufficient power.
Ever wonder why the Japanese, european, australian, etc. cars have more power? Because they are dirtier. They pollute too much to be allowed in the US as a daily driver. The pollution limiting equipment we require robs horsepower.
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There is some truth to this, especially for older cars, but not so much for newer ones... Old cars are allowed to go as far as 600 ppm (HC), which is three or more times the limit of some states, that is true. However, cars built after 1992 are required to stay below 100 ppm, which is, to me, extremely low, and even lower than most states' standards.
I think the only way that limit can be met in European cars is by using a catalysator, which is mandatory in cars built in 1992 or after.