N America vs Asia fuel economy

[FikseRxSeven]

what accounts for the almost 10mpg fuel economy difference between the honda fit that came to the United states and the ones that were in Asia and previous models.


would we in the United states be able to incorporate it to our cars?

im guessing that there are difference in gear ratios and tuning based on emissions requirements, but if anyone knows the facts, im sure everyone would like to know

thanks,
martin

[cheffyjay]

Ah, yes...This Question...
So many threads...since before the beginning of time...

Different engines--1.3l, low HP
Different transmissions-- CVT.
Slow, slow cars
Cars that don't translate well in N. America and cars that don't sell well here.

Not to say that you couldn't try to track down one of those drivetrains through an importer...

[Rikaro]

i think it's 200 pounds heavier as well

[vividjazz]

Just drive at the slower speeds experienced in most parts of Asia including Japan and you'll get the same economy. This means never faster than 80km/hr on freeways and about 30km/hr round the city. You may not live very long on a US interstate but you'll get great economy.

[crimsona]

Smaller US Gallon vs larger imperial Gallon.
1 Imperial gallon = 1.20095042 US gallon

[RedAndy]

I'm wondering about this too. On the main page where the US/Asian stats are listed on the right, the cars look about the same on paper except for the ~200 extra lbs on the US model.

As listed, both have the 1.5 VTEC engine, so it's not a smaller engine we're talking about here. Is the gearing/having a CVT that much different, or as another poster suggested, are we using different units (US vs. Imp gallons)? Seems like you'd want to use the same units, though.....

Maybe the testing methods are much different between the 2 models. I wouldn't think the extra 200 lbs would make more than a 2mpg or so difference. A 10 mpg difference with the same engine is huge.......