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2004 year 2.4L, 160HP, 224Nm @ 4000rpm, 4 speed auto
2014 year 1.6T, 201HP, 265Nm @ 1750-4000rpm, 6 speed auto
Both are sedans,
On paper the former should be superior in every situation.. however, my theory is that due to the way most modern vehicles are tuned, barring most Japanese - the former vehicle actually excels in offering a smoother, stronger and more consistent acceleration, very ideal for day to day scenarios.
For example - low end torque, gliding in gear and none of those awful downshift that contribute to a jerky, uncomfortable, sluggish and less fuel efficient ride.
In the 2004 vehicle I'm able to drive while feathering the throttle and maintain below 2000rpm at all times. The same style of drive applied with to the 2014 vehicle will result in the vehicle rolling backward.
Sure the 2014 does offer superior mid and top end power.. but i don't think its worth all the sacrifce at the low end.
So my question is why are these new vehicles tuned this way?
Your not going to get torque out of a small displacement turbo until you reach whatever RPM at which the turbo is spooled and providing boost.
There are some fabulous turbo engines these days with very broad torque curves and excellent low RPM response. I am not sure anything at 1.6L of displacement would really fall into that category however.
2004 year 2.4L, 160HP, 224Nm @ 4000rpm, 4 speed auto
2014 year 1.6T, 201HP, 265Nm @ 1750-4000rpm, 6 speed auto
Both are sedans,
On paper the former should be superior in every situation.. however, my theory is that due to the way most modern vehicles are tuned, barring most Japanese - the former vehicle actually excels in offering a smoother, stronger and more consistent acceleration, very ideal for day to day scenarios.
For example - low end torque, gliding in gear and none of those awful downshift that contribute to a jerky, uncomfortable, sluggish and less fuel efficient ride.
In the 2004 vehicle I'm able to drive while feathering the throttle and maintain below 2000rpm at all times. The same style of drive applied with to the 2014 vehicle will result in the vehicle rolling backward.
Sure the 2014 does offer superior mid and top end power.. but i don't think its worth all the sacrifce at the low end.
So my question is why are these new vehicles tuned this way?
The second vehicle, the 2014, makes significantly more power and does so from a much lower RPM...1750 vs. 4000. Often the "sensation" of acceleration that you may feel is not the same as actual acceleration. The second car would absolutely murder the first in terms of acceleration under any scenario. Turbo cars do tend to feel flat when operating in their peak torque zone as the power is not building, it is already there. Beyond that, acceleration and feel is heavily influenced by gearing which the second vehicles 6 speed auto would generally allow for a more aggressive axle ratio while still allowing for sufficient overdrive to get better fuel economy.
Most car companies advertise horsepower, and do so without mentioning where in the rev range it peaks. Used to be low end torque was there to get heavy cars moving from a stop quickly, which at least feels fast (though there was little top end for the highway). But HP numbers are easier to advertise.
If you're interested in cars with more low end torque, GM still tunes their engines more towards lower end torqie, though not as much as they used to.
The manufactures went to these little tiny motors with a turbo in order to meet government mandated fuel economy requirements. Hopefully the new Environmental Protection Agency will reduce these ridiculous requirements and we can get back to decent engines.
2004 year 2.4L, 160HP, 224Nm @ 4000rpm, 4 speed auto
2014 year 1.6T, 201HP, 265Nm @ 1750-4000rpm, 6 speed auto
Both are sedans,
On paper the former should be superior in every situation.. however, my theory is that due to the way most modern vehicles are tuned, barring most Japanese - the former vehicle actually excels in offering a smoother, stronger and more consistent acceleration, very ideal for day to day scenarios.
For example - low end torque, gliding in gear and none of those awful downshift that contribute to a jerky, uncomfortable, sluggish and less fuel efficient ride.
In the 2004 vehicle I'm able to drive while feathering the throttle and maintain below 2000rpm at all times. The same style of drive applied with to the 2014 vehicle will result in the vehicle rolling backward.
Sure the 2014 does offer superior mid and top end power.. but i don't think its worth all the sacrifce at the low end.
So my question is why are these new vehicles tuned this way?
You bought the wrong cars. There are plenty of cars out there that will plant you in your seat, but not a wimpy four, even with a turbo. (and automatics suck up even more HP)
The manufactures went to these little tiny motors with a turbo in order to meet government mandated fuel economy requirements. Hopefully the new Environmental Protection Agency will reduce these ridiculous requirements and we can get back to decent engines.
Except the majority of these 'tiny motors' absolutely destroy the majority of large common place engines from even just a decade ago while still returning solid fuel economy. I'd love to know what your definition of 'decent engine' is. Considering a four cylinder Camry out muscles Mustangs from 20 years ago, I'm not sure we are exactly going backwards.
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